Help! My lambskin smells!

Most sheepskins are usually odorless – whether you bought them online or in a store. Sometimes, however, a fur may have a more intense odor – be it an animal smell or something artificial. If the fur has been stored in a damp room like a basement for a long time, it can also develop an unpleasant odor. Such odors are, of course, disturbing and can lead to you not using the fur – which is a shame!

So, what can you do if your sheepskin smells or even stinks? Below, we have compiled the most common causes of unpleasant odors and show you how to deal with them.

My sheepskin has a soapy or artificial smell

If your sheepskin smells soapy or artificial, this is often due to the tanning process. Especially if you bought a fur online, it may have a certain smell when unpacked, as it was tightly packed for several days. Icelandic sheepskins, in particular, have a slightly soapy smell that develops after tanning, but other types of fur can also have a soapy smell.

You don't need to worry about this, as the smell usually disappears after a few days. Start by shaking the fur vigorously and airing it out thoroughly. A well-tanned fur will lose its soapy smell after a few days and will gradually take on the scent of your home.

My sheepskin smells like a barn or animal

If the fur smells strongly of a barn or animal, in most cases the smell can be improved by intensive airing – however, it can take a long time. Although the smell will become weaker over time, in many cases you don't want to or can't wait that long. After airing, the smell will be a bit milder, but sometimes it stubbornly remains in the fur.

As you can probably already guess, unfortunately there are no quick solutions for this smell. Some furs can be washed in a washing machine, which reduces the smell – but only with certain furs. With others, there is a risk of damaging the fur. It is therefore advisable to contact the seller of the fur to clarify whether the fur can be washed.

In some cases, the fur can be re-tanned if the original tanning is not sufficient to remove the strong barn smell. In this case, we recommend contacting a tannery near you to clarify whether this is possible.

My sheepskin has an old, musty smell

If your fur has been stored in a basement or attic for a long time, it can take on a musty or damp smell. Here too, it helps to shake the fur vigorously and air it out overnight in a well-ventilated place – like a carport.

Since real sheepskins absorb the smells of their surroundings, it can take some time for the smell to disappear. Frequent shaking and regular airing are important to remove the smell in the long term.

Removing odors from sheepskin - is it possible?

No matter what smell your sheepskin has, we strongly advise against spraying anything on the fur. Odor-neutralizing sprays can damage the fur, as they can react with the substances used in tanning and attack the leather. With dyed furs, there is even a risk that the spray will cause discoloration.

If you need to wash the fur, always use a special wool detergent with lanolin. Make sure to protect the leather side during washing, as it can easily be damaged by machine washing. Stains or dirt should be removed by hand to prevent the leather side from getting wet and hardening.

You can carefully remove dirt with a damp cloth and some wool detergent. Then rinse off the soap residue with a damp, clean cloth. Always make sure the leather side stays dry to avoid damage. After shaking the fur well, lay it on a drying rack in a well-ventilated room with the leather side up to dry. Then brush the sheepskin thoroughly with a sheepskin brush to refresh it.

And if the smell does not disappear despite all efforts, we recommend buying the fur only from trusted retailers to ensure you get the best quality.