Washing and Wondering: Cleaning Sheepskin Products

Cleaning Methods for Sheepskin:

We receive a lot of questions about sheepskin. Questions like is this real sheepskin? How durable is sheepskin? or, What sheepskin colors do you carry? But one of the most common and repeated questions is “How do I clean my sheepskin rug, pelt, slippers or horse tack equipment?” It isn’t a surprise as cleaning sheepskin always comes when selling these types of natural products.  In doing some quick research, when you perform an internet search about the topic, there are over 9.8 million results (source: Google) that show up just with a simple internet search. 

With so many sets of instructions, we would like to condense those 9.8 million pages of content down into a single, post sharing methods that we advise our customers with clearing and caring for their sheepskin products.

Cleaning Items and Products

Items that should use when cleaning their rugs, pelts, slippers or horse tack. The products we suggest are likely to find online from retailers like Amazon or in a local store. The list includes:

• Sheepskin Washing Detergent (Eucalan or Kookaburra)
• Wool or Sheepskin Wire Brush
• Cleaning Cloth (Glass Cleaning Cloth’s are Ideal)
• Mild Dish Soap 
• Small Spray Bottle
• Corn or Potato Starch
• Baking Soda
• Water

While depending on the sheepskin item, size and job you could simply get by with just some water and a cloth while other tasks may require multiple items.  

We suggest that you read through the entire post first and decide on which items you will need for cleaning.

Sheepskin Rug and Pelt Cleaning

Starting with cleaning rugs and pelts. One of the best methods is simply shaking the sheepskin and then letting air out inside or outside. This method rejuvenates the sheepskin as it allows air to flow through the wool fibers. If you choose to hang outside avoid direct sunlight.

Spot Cleaning Sheepskin Pelts and Rugs

Spot cleaning sheepskin is very straight forward. Using a clean damp cloth, apply a drop sheepskin cleaner (Eucalan or Kookaburra) to the cloth and treat the soil area gently removing any dirt. When satisfied simply let spot air dry.

Once dry use a wool brush to smooth out the area of the rug or pelt.

Cleaning Using Corn or Potato Starch

Both corn and potato starches are great natural products that can lift away many types spills before they permanently leave a mark. To clean with corn or potato starch, mix either starches in a bowl with water creating a paste.

Apply the paste to areas of the rug or pelt that are soiled. Let the starch mixture dry completely and then using the upholstery attachment, vacuum away the dried starch. The starch will lift any grease, oil or dirt from the pelt or rug. Once dry and vacuumed, brush with a medal wool brush to rejuvenate.

This method is much easier in comparison to washing by hand in a sink or bathtub. 

Hand Washing Your Sheepskin Rug or Pelt

For hand washing a sheepskin pelt or rug you can use either a laundry sink, or bathtub. Fill the sink full of lukewarm water (90’ to 110’F).

Next mixed in the prescribed amount of sheepskin cleaner into the water. Gently submerge the rug or pelt into the water.

Don’t agitate to much but instead gently move water in and out of the sheepskin rug or pelt’s wool

Gently Rinse and Repeat

Empty the sink or tub by draining off the soapy, dirty water, when the sink or bath tub is empty replace with fresh, lukewarm water, this process may need to be repeated a few times but the goal is to remove as much, soap and dirt from the rug or pelt.

Once rinsed, gently roll and squeeze out the excess water from the pelt. If you desire, you can also transfer the rug or pelt to a washing machine and with the gentle setting, spin out the excess water. 

Take and hang your rug or pelt and let dry in an area where air can naturally flow in and around the drying rug or pelt. It is important to keep away from any sunlight or heat source. This can damage the leather of the rug or pelt. 

With a wool brush, brush the wool once while damp and again when completely dry. 

For pelts and rugs that have been dyed, it is recommended not to hand wash or use a washing machine but instead have these cleaned by someone who has experience with cleaning sheepskin.

Sheepskin and Using a Washing Machine:  

Note: Before using a washing machine, to ensure that any remains of laundry detergents containing enzymes or bleach it we advise setting the machine to perform a rinse cycle prior to washing your rug or pelt.

While we always advise washing by hand, if you prefer in using a washing machine, avoid using a machine that has a center agitator. This can stretch and damage the rug or pelt.

Setting the machine to delicate, put the rug or pelt into the machine adding the prescribed amount of cleaner. Once the wash cycle for the rug or pelt is complete, air dry by hanging or lay out away from sunlight or any forms of heat sources.

With a wool brush, brush the wool once while damp and again when completely dry. 

Cleaning Sheepskin Slippers and Boots

Sheepskin leather can be cleaned very easy also with following the prescribed methods. It’s important not to run slippers through a washing machine or dryer as this can ruin the slippers by removing natural oils from the leather and cause the leather to crack or become brittle.

Spot Cleaning

With a damp cloth, rub soiled spots in a gentle circular motion. As the spot lightens and the dirt lifts rotate the cleaning cloth to a clean spot continuing the circular motion. After cleaning is done, let air dry away from any heat or sunlight.

Removing Grease and Oils.

Spot cleaning grease and oils by sprinkling baking soda directly over the spot. Let sit for a few hours as the baking soda absorbs the grease or oil. After time has lapsed, brush the baking soda away.

For heavy spots and soiled areas using a spray bottle. Lightly mist the affected areas and using a towel, blot dry similar to spot cleaning removing the matter as it lifts.

If the spot doesn’t lift apply a small drop of dish soap (Dawn for example) to a damp cloth and rubbing in a circular motion over the spot. Sponge the area with a damp cloth to rinse off any soap residue. With a clean towel, pat the area dry as possible.

Let air dry away from heat sources as well as direct / Indirect sunlight.

Cleaning Inside of Your Sheepskin Slippers

Vacuuming:

Using an upholstery attachment with your vacuum, you can simply vacuum out the inside of your slipper’s wool removing any dirt or dust from inside.

To remove any oils, apply a couple spoonful’s of baking soda to each slipper. Tap the sides of the slippers spreading around the baking soda and then let sit for a few hours. Then vacuum away the baking soda with upholstery attachment.

This will absorb any oils within the slipper as well as deodorize.

Following these cleaning steps can ensure that your slippers will last.

Cleaning Sheepskin Lined Horse tack

Similar to spot cleaning rugs and pelts similar methods can be used with cleaning sheepskin lined horse tack

Spot Cleaning

Using a damp cloth, apply a drop sheepskin cleaner to a clean towel and gently dab and treat the soil area gently removing any dirt. Let the treated spot air dry.  Once dry brush with a metal wool brush

Using Corn or Potato Starch with Horse Tack

Again, corn and potato starches are great natural products that can lift away many types spills before they permanently leave a mark. To clean with corn or potato starch, mix either starches in a bowl with water creating a paste. 

Apply the paste to areas of the rug or pelt that are soiled. Let the starch mixture dry completely and then using the upholstery attachment, vacuum away the dried starch. The starch will lift any grease, oil or dirt from the pelt or rug. Once dry and vacuumed, brush with a medal wool brush to rejuvenate.

Using corn or potato starch mixed with water will lift any grease, oil or dirt from the soiled area of the sheepskin wool.

Maintaining Your Sheepskin for a Lifetime

The longevity of sheepskin can last years if not decades. When it comes to cleaning, following these simple tips can ensure that the investment made in purchasing a sheepskin product lasts a lifetime.