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Sheepskins with long, straight hair can seem very high-maintenance at first glance. But don't let that deter you – because with our simple tips, the hide will remain soft and retain its fluffy look even after a long time. In this post, we'll show you how to properly care for your straight-haired sheepskin.
5 Simple Tips for Caring for a Straight-Haired Sheepskin
Straight-haired sheepskins are available in various forms, and each hide has its own characteristics. Long-haired sheepskins from New Zealand are particularly popular, with their dense, fluffy fur typically representing Scandinavian comfort. There are also straight-haired sheepskins from Iceland and England, which require little care and are natural. These are ideal for use on the patio or in the garden.
Whether your hide has short, dense curls or long, fine corkscrew curls, it should be regularly cared for to keep it in good condition for years to come. If you need more specific care instructions for your sheepskin, here are five valuable tips.
1. Regular Shaking Out
Since you often sit or lie on a sheepskin, the hairs can become flattened and even matted. Regular shaking out keeps the sheepskin hairs loose and helps maintain its fluffy appearance. Additionally, a good shake removes dust and dirt, which is why you should shake out your straight-haired sheepskin at least every two weeks.
2. Can I vacuum my sheepskin?
To remove dirt and impurities and to separate matted hairs, occasional vacuuming can loosen the hairs. This is because, unlike curly sheepskins, a straight-haired sheepskin can handle a round with the vacuum cleaner.
Set the vacuum cleaner to the lowest setting and go slowly over the entire hide. First, draw the vacuum cleaner along the hairs, then you can vacuum it sideways. Afterward, shake out the hide well so that the curls settle back into place.
A hide that is regularly shaken out does not need to be vacuumed too often – once every two months is sufficient in combination with regular shaking out.
3. Brush Through with a Fur Brush
Sheepskins with long, straight hair can become matted over time – especially if you frequently sit on the hide, as the hairs are compressed. To loosen these mats, you should gently brush through the hide with a fur brush and then shake it out well.
Do individual hairs get stuck in the brush when brushing? Real sheepskin is a natural product, so it can lose a few hairs over time – both when brushing and when shaking out.
4. How do I remove stains from a sheepskin?
A real sheepskin is a beautiful natural product that can be used as a rug or a cozy throw on the sofa – and it should be! But sometimes stains happen. If that happens, you should follow these steps:
The most important thing is speed. Especially with liquids, it's important to react quickly so that the leather side doesn't get soaked – or only minimally wet. Use a damp cloth and gently blot the stain. The stain should be removed immediately to prevent it from drying into the fur.
If the stain cannot be removed with water alone, you can blot it with a mixture of mild wool detergent with lanolin and lukewarm water. Make sure that the hide is not soaked and that the skin side of the hide remains dry.
Once the stain is removed, shake the hide well and let it dry over a drying rack with the leather side facing up. Dry it in a well-ventilated room and keep it away from heat sources.
5. How do I wash my sheepskin?
Although some washing instructions state that sheepskins can be machine washed, we recommend doing so only as a last resort. We advise against using a washing machine, as washing removes the salts used in the tanning process. This can make the leather hard and brittle. Additionally, the wool fat lanolin is washed out of the fur, which – if not replenished – can lead to matting and a flat appearance of the hairs. You can replenish the lanolin with special wool detergent.
It is much more sensible to treat individual stains. See above for how to do this.
If you are unsure how to clean your sheepskin, always contact your seller and ask for their advice.
We hope this post has shown you how to properly care for your straight-haired sheepskin. If you have a sheepskin with curly hair, you can read our 5 care tips for this type of fur here.
