Cleaning sheepskin

[sandspec]

I have recently purchased a couple of really nice sheep-skins but the trouble is they smell! I think they may have been stored whilst damp, but they certainly smell that way.

The fleece is nice and soft and has a long staple but is a bit dusty. Do any of you know a good way to clean and refresh the fleeces without having to resort to dragging them kicking and screaming down to the dry cleaners?

 

[janiepopps]

A friend of mine puts hers in the washing machine when grubby and it stays nice and soft. (no idea if powder is added!)

I think the result depends on what it was tanned with - worse case scenario the skin side would turn to 'cardboard'.

Hmmm. not much help I fear...

j

 

[Greywolf]

I've tried the washing machine method, one came out nice and soft and the other came out stiff.

I usually wash them in the bath with baby shampoo and allow to dry naturally outdoors, obviously pick a warm dry day.
If you comb them out whilst still slightly damp the hair is beautifully soft and luxuriant to lie on

Greywolf

 

[sandspec]

Thanks for the help guys. As I have two to do, I'll try one of them with the baby shampoo in the bath and let you know how it comes out.