CARE AND CLEANING OF YOUR SHEEPSKINS

QUICK TIPS

Sheepskin rugs, underlays and car seat covers will greatly benefit with regular maintenance by:  

·        • Brushing; using a pet brush or comb, this will restore the wool pile where otherwise flattened and bring dust and foreign matters between fibres to the surface,

·        • Vacuuming; will help also to restore wool pile and collect dust and foreign matters after brushing,

·        • Airing; open windows, or place sheepskins in a breezy room, over an airing rack or over two chairs, this will help keep sheepskins fresh.

·        • Spot Clean; lightly soiled areas can be sponged off using clean warm water (and diluted “Woolskin Sheepskin Shampoo” for heavier soils), towelled dried and brushed whilst damp and again when fully dry.

Washing Sheepskin - Important Points to Note

The leather side of the sheepskin is easily damaged by incorrect washing. The main points to note are:

·         • Only use Woolskin Sheepskin Shampoo which cleans fibres and conditions the hide. Never use products containing enzymes, phosphates, peroxide, alkali or bleach, as these can cause irreversible damage to both the fleece and leather. Most wool wash contains water softening properties, mostly phosphates, which removes the metals from the water. Phosphates will therefore remove the tanning chemicals from the leather of the sheepskin resulting in permanent damage to the sheepskin. Only products which specify that they are suitable for sheepskin should be used.

·        • Only wash in cold or lukewarm water (up to 40°C/104°F).

·        • Gently stretch rugs to shape whilst still damp.

·        •  Dry flat over two chairs or an airing rack and away from direct sunlight and any other direct heat source as heat will cause often irreparable damage.

See below for details of caring for particular sheepskin products.

Infant Care Rugs, Medical Rugs, Pram Underlays, and Pet Rugs

There are 3 steps to fully laundering your rug;

Washing - Machine wash on “wool” or “gentle” cycle in lukewarm water  (max 40°C/104°F). Use only Woolskin Sheepskin Shampoo or another detergent which specifies that it is suitable for sheepskin. Do not use a wool wash or any other detergent. Spin excess water out. Do not bleach or leave soaking.

Drying - Lay Flat over drying/airing rack or over two chairs in an outside position away from direct sunlight. Stretch to shape while damp, and whilst still damp give the rug a good shake and brush to restore wool pile. If washed using Woolskin Sheepskin Shampoo then the rug may be tumbled on a cool setting (not warm or hot). Do not iron.

Brushing - Brushing when both wet and again when rug is fully dry helps to maintain the wool pile. Use a pet brush, stiff bristled brush or comb and brush in all directions.

NB. Infant Care Rugs, Medical Rugs, Pram Underlays and Pet Rugs are dry cleanable. Pet Rugs may be sprayed with animal pest control products.

 Long Wool Rugs

Any long wool rugs larger than a single rug (such as double, quads etc) will need to be dry cleaned due to the size and therefore weight of the rug when wet which could cause considerable damage to your washing machine.

To wash your single long wool rug:

Washing - Machine wash on “wool” or “gentle” cycle in lukewarm water (max 40°C/104°F). Use only Woolskin Sheepskin Shampoo or another detergent which specifies that it is suitable for sheepskin. Do not use a wool wash or any other detergent. Spin excess water out. Do not bleach or leave soaking.

Drying - Lay flat over drying/airing rack or over two chairs in an outside position away from direct sunlight. Stretch to shape while damp and brush to restore wool pile. Do not iron.

Brushing -  After washing, the wool may revert back to its natural curly state. You can help restore the fluffy appearance by brushing the wool while it is wet and again when it is dry. First give the wet rug a good shake then use a wire pet brush or similar and brush out the natural curl while wet and again when dry.

Long Wool Rugs are dry cleanable.

Sheepskin Bed Underlays

Any bed underlays larger than a cot size or single bed size will need to be dry cleaned due to the size and therefore weight of the rug when wet which could cause considerable damage to your washing machine. Cot size and single bed size underlays can be washed in a large capacity washing machine, minimum 7kg capacity.

To wash your cot size or single bed size underlay:

Washing - Machine wash on “wool” or “gentle” cycle in lukewarm water (max 40°C/104°F). Use only Woolskin Sheepskin Shampoo or another detergent which specifies that it is suitable for sheepskin. Do not use a wool wash or any other detergent. Spin excess water out. Do not bleach or leave soaking.

Drying - Lay flat over drying/airing rack or over two chairs in an outside position away from direct sunlight. Stretch to shape while damp, and whilst still damp give the rug a good shake and brush to restore wool pile. Do not iron.

Brushing - Brushing when both wet and again when rug is fully dry helps to maintain the wool pile. Use a pet brush, stiff bristled brush or comb and brush in all directions.

NB  These washing instructions are only applicable for sheepskin bed underlays, not wool or woollen underlays. The difference between sheepskin underlays and woollen underlays is that sheepskin is a fully natural product, is wool on skin and is suitable for both winter and summer. Woollen underlays are a woven fabric, are lighter in weight, and often have a winter side and a summer side. Please refer to the manufacturers cleaning instructions for woollen underlays.

Sheepskin Bed Underlays are dry cleanable.

Car Seat Covers

Washing - Machine wash, one seat cover at a time, on “wool” or “gentle” cycle in lukewarm water (max 40°C/104°F). Use only Woolskin Sheepskin Shampoo or another detergent which specifies that it is suitable for sheepskin. Do not use a wool wash or any other detergent. Spin excess water out. Do not bleach or leave soaking.

Drying - Lay flat over drying/airing rack or over two chairs in an outside position away from direct sunlight. Stretch to shape while damp, and whilst still damp give the rug a good shake and brush to restore wool pile. Do not iron.

Brushing - Brushing when both wet and again when rug is fully dry helps to maintain the wool pile. Use a pet brush, stiff bristled brush or comb and brush in all directions.

NB  Sheepskin seat covers will often be sheepskin at the front of the seats with acrylic or wool blended fabric for down the back of the seats. It is very important not to brush the acrylic or wool blend as the brushing action could tear the fabric. If uncertain which material is acrylic/wool blend, look at the underside of the fabric and if the fabric is not leather or is woven then that is the fabric not to brush.

Sheepskin Car Seat Covers are dry cleanable.

Mortels sheepskin cushions comprise of 2 parts; the outer cushion/pillow cover and the inner cushion/pillow.    

* The inner cushion is made from all natural calico filled with sheepskin off-cuts. Washing is not recommended nor generally required for the inner cushion. Cushion will benefit from vigorous shaking to help maintain plump state.     

* The outer cushion cover is made from 100% sheepskin upper side with fabric under side.

There are 3 steps to fully laundering your cushion cover:

Washing - Machine wash on “wool” or “gentle” cycle in lukewarm water  (max 40°C/104°F). Use only Woolskin Sheepskin Shampoo or another detergent which specifies that it is suitable for sheepskin. Do not use a wool wash or any other detergent. Spin excess water out. Do not bleach or leave soaking.

Drying - Lay Flat over drying/airing rack or over two chairs in an outside position away from direct sunlight. Stretch to shape while damp, and whilst still damp give the rug a good shake and brush to restore wool pile. If washed using Woolskin Sheepskin Shampoo then the rug may be tumbled on a cool setting (not warm or hot). Do not iron.

Brushing - Brushing when both wet and again when rug is fully dry helps to maintain the wool pile. Use a pet brush, stiff bristled brush or comb and brush in all directions.

Ugg Boots and Slippers

Please refer to our care and cleaning instructions on FAQ on Footwear page or click here.