Sheepskin is known for its amazing durability and ability to retain heat for a long time. This natural material is used for sewing outerwear, car covers, collars, hats, and mittens. It is also very popular in interior design. But the downside is that the skins quickly absorb unpleasant odors and become salty. There are several ways to clean sheepskin without damaging the material.
Sheepskin care requirements
Sheepskin products should be cleaned wisely. When planning skin care, it is important to follow certain rules. Among them:
- Regularity. It is important to shake out rugs, blankets and rugs made from natural materials at least once a week. In case of intense dust, it is additionally better to use a vacuum cleaner. Collars, hats, and outerwear should also be periodically shaken and aired outside.
- Air humidity control. Sheepskin does not “like” high air humidity. Hide rugs are not suitable for decorating damp rooms. Sheepskin is also intolerant to excessive dry air: the material should not be placed on heated floors or near heating appliances.
- Minimize exposure to moisture. Washing sheepskin should only be done as a last resort and should not be repeated too often. It is better to choose the optimal dry care method or use a light treatment with a damp cloth.
- The right choice of detergents. Before you clean sheepskin fur at home, you should make sure you have the right products. Household chemicals containing chlorine or other aggressive bleaches are not suitable for the material.
It is important to remember another aspect of proper care - timely control of pollution. Stains must be removed immediately after they get on the skin. Otherwise, the stain eats into the depths of the sheepskin and negatively affects the appearance of the material.
Basic methods of processing sheepskin
The easiest way to care for products made from natural materials is to go to the dry cleaner. However, you can independently delve into the topic of how to wash sheepskin at home. In most cases, you can get by with dry care altogether.
Dry cleaning
Already from the name it is clear that dry cleaning excludes the use of water or any other liquids. This is a gentle way to get rid of dirt, restore the product’s whiteness or color saturation, and overcome unpleasant odors. The following substances are most often recommended for the procedure:
Starch perfectly absorbs odors and excess moisture. In addition, it envelops the fur, restoring its shine and elasticity. Any starch is suitable for cleaning: potato, corn, wheat. The powder is applied in a dense layer to the surface of the product and left for 15-30 minutes. For intense contamination, the procedure can be extended for several hours. After the specified time, the starch is shaken off with a special brush or soft cloth.
Baking soda has a pronounced whitening effect. It should be used for white or light colored skins. Baking soda is poured onto the natural fur and left for 30 minutes. To get the best results, you can gently rub baking soda into the depths of the skin. Then the powder is shaken out and the residue is removed with a cloth.
Coarse table salt will do a great job with greasy stains and faded color. It is used in a similar way to starch and soda: poured onto the skin, waited for a certain time, and then removed with a soft bristle brush. It is noteworthy that salt also disinfects the product.
In order to lift the fur and restore its freshness and shine, you should purchase any bran. The most commonly used product is made from oats. The bran is first heated in a frying pan, poured hot onto natural material and left until it cools completely. The product is shaken out and the fur is cleaned with a soft comb.
Wet cleaning
To remove stubborn stains, use wet cleaning. The following tools are suitable:
- Hydrogen peroxide. This inexpensive pharmaceutical liquid brightens sheepskin products and removes dirt. Peroxide is applied to a cotton pad, and then the fur is gently wiped until completely clean. After drying, the product is combed or smoothed.
- Lemon juice. Fights unpleasant odors, yellowness, and greasy conditions. You can use fresh juice or citric acid solution. The liquid is also applied with a damp cloth, then the natural sheepskin is dried.
It should be remembered that you need to avoid getting substances on the inside. Only the fibers themselves should be wiped.
Whitening
Bleaching agents cannot be used for eco-leather, natural leather or leatherette. This also applies to chlorine products. Gel bleaching agents will leave stains on the covers, while powder bleaching agents will leave micro-scratches on the outer layer of the material.
Leather car covers are bleached using a weak solution of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. Apply the composition for a few minutes, rinse with warm water.
Fabric covers are bleached with ordinary washing powders that contain enzymes. Bleaches such as Vanish, Boss and others are suitable.
Mode of application:
- Vacuum well.
- Prepare cleaning powder, gel or active foam for cleaning carpets.
- Moisten with warm water, temperature 30°C.
- Apply the product evenly to the fabric. Leave to act for 20 minutes.
- Use a sponge to remove excess bleach. Wash clothes.
Silica gel is purchased to whiten velor covers. The product removes any stains well. Apply to a dirty area, leave for 10 minutes, wipe with dry cloths.
Silica gel removes any stains well
You need to wash it after Silica Gel. Especially if they are bleached locally.
Removing dust
Sheepskin can be cleaned well with a special car vacuum cleaner, which is usually used when cleaning the interior. This cleaning should be done regularly to prevent dust from getting inside the pile. Having picked up a compact vacuum cleaner and chosen a brush that is convenient for you, you can begin to return the covers to a neat appearance. The vacuum cleaner must be set to low power and low speed, otherwise the fur may be irrevocably damaged.
During the cleaning process, care must be taken to move the vacuum cleaner against the direction of hair growth, starting from the inside and ending with the ends of the pile. Such an event is held approximately once every two months, but, in general, it is necessary to be guided by the degree of contamination of the fur. Dust must be removed in a timely manner so that it does not get stuck in the fur and can be easily removed without harming the natural material.
You can get rid of dust by shaking out or easily knocking out the covers. It’s not worth making great efforts so as not to believe the structure of the fur.
What mode should I use to wash covers?
Washing is carried out only on a delicate cycle so as not to damage the fabric. It is imperative to use special washing powders and concentrates for wool (or at least for delicate fabrics). It is advisable to add conditioner to the rinse water, which will soften the products and give them a pleasant aroma.
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Care Tips
- In order for the sheepskin fur to retain its fluffiness as long as possible, it must be combed. To do this, you will need to buy a special brush, which is sold in any zoological store.
- When exposed to sunlight, the fur may fade. This applies not only to sheepskin, but also to any other natural fur. Exposure to high temperatures is also undesirable, as the sheepskin will dry out and become brittle and stiff. These features should be taken into account when drying the covers; hang them in a dry, cool and dark room. When the covers are in the car, the sun's rays do not harm them, since the glass provides ultraviolet protection. Sheepskin is not afraid of moisture, but this does not mean that it can be left wet.
- Storing sheepskin covers in cellophane is unacceptable. This fur must breathe. It is better to purchase a bag for storing them, made from natural material.
- There are two ways to get rid of dirt. Wait until it dries and brush it out with the brush we already talked about above. If it doesn’t help, then take a sponge and soap solution in your hands.
- If grease gets on the fur, it is necessary to treat the area of contamination with gasoline, first applying it to a clean cloth or sponge. After wiping the fur with gasoline, you will need to treat the area of contamination with a damp cloth and dry the cover. The skin cannot be processed in any way and must not be exposed to moisture.
If you follow all these recommendations and take proper care of your covers, they will serve you for many years and will delight you with their beautiful appearance.
Sheepskin is a popular material with a wide range of applications. Sheep skins are used to make fur coats, collars for insulated outerwear, home rugs, capes and car seat covers. For many peoples, an indispensable attribute of clothing is a sheepskin hat.
Over time, the question of cleaning dirty white skin inevitably arises. The purification of this material has a number of features. If you decide to get rid of dirt on a sheepskin product, you can use dry cleaning services, or you can do it at home, having first studied the information on how to clean sheepskin.
How to clean sheepskin or sheepskin product without washing?
If a sheepskin hat, detachable collar or car cover can easily be placed in the drum of a washing machine, then what about a heavy, long-pile rug? The only way out of this situation is dry cleaning. Before cleaning a sheepskin product, especially a large floor rug, you need to vacuum it thoroughly and only then proceed directly to removing dirt. Detailed information about the most effective methods for dry cleaning sheepskin is presented in the table.
Cleaning sheepskin fur products | Main ingredients | Preparation | Application |
Using improvised means | Starch | Not required | Pour onto the contaminated area (it is better to treat the entire area of the product) and rub into the pile with your hands. Shake out the carpet. To remove remaining starch, walk through the fur with a brush with elastic bristles. |
Raw potatoes | Grind the vegetable in a blender or meat grinder until the consistency of gruel | Distribute the potato mixture over the contaminated fur and brush the area. As soon as the product becomes dark, remove any remaining residue and wipe the work area with a clean, dry cloth. | |
Hydrogen peroxide | Mix 10 ml peroxide and 1 liter of water | Treat the contaminated area with the solution, avoiding contact with the skin. This method helps restore the natural color of yellowed fur. | |
Using household chemicals | Fur or carpet cleaner | Follow the instructions for use on the cleanser packaging |
Cases made of natural fur in the "World of Cases"
If you need to buy sheepskin seat covers, you should study the catalog. Customers are offered a varied selection of high quality products. Fur capes keep you warm during the cold season. Provides a soft feeling on the seat. Thanks to such coatings, the factory upholstery is protected from damage and dirt. Fur products and car covers made of eco-leather will serve their owners for a long time. The main thing is to provide them with proper care. Take the recommendations listed above into account.
Machine wash instructions
You can wash a tsigey fur coat, hat or small rug in the washing machine. However, the product should not be too large. An important condition for machine washing is that there must be enough free space in the drum. You need to wash a sheepskin product with all the buttons (locks) fastening it. It is recommended to first check whether there are any foreign objects in the pockets. This is a very important point. A paperclip, keys or other sharp element can not only damage the washing machine, but also tear the item.
When machine washing sheepskin items, consider the following recommendations:
- Do not load other wardrobe items into the drum. You need to wash your fur coat or hat separately.
- Use delicate or manual mode.
- Use mild detergents designed for washing items made from natural wool. It is prohibited to use regular powder.
- Rinse several times. It is better to run 2-3 rinse cycles.
- Spin at low speed (their number should not exceed 600).
How to dry an item after washing?
It is important not only to properly clean the sheep wool product from dirt, but also to dry it. Drying sheepskin items greatly affects their ability to retain their original properties after washing. The following rules must be followed:
- Dry flat on a horizontal plane, previously covered with a thick terry towel, fur side up.
- Avoid exposing wet fur items to direct sunlight. Also, you should not lay it out to dry in close proximity to radiators and heaters. A dark, well-ventilated room is best suited for drying such products.
- Shake the item periodically, slightly stretching and kneading it. If you neglect this advice, it may become deformed after drying.
- Do not try to speed up the drying process with a hair dryer or iron.
- Knead the dried product well. This measure will soften the skin. To enhance the effect, it is recommended to lubricate the base of the skin with Vaseline.
- Comb the dried item with a comb or wool brush.
Subtleties of drying
Properly drying sheepskin is no less important than washing it.
An incorrectly carried out process can cause deformation of the product; it is unlikely that it will be possible to return the previous appearance. To dry a washed fleece product, you need to know some secrets:
- The process is carried out only in a horizontal position; the clotheslines will leave traces that will be very difficult to remove.
- Spread a terry towel or a piece of fabric with good absorbent characteristics on a flat surface.
- The washed sheepskin is laid out on the backing, carefully straightening out all the creases and folds.
- Periodically, the product is shaken and slightly stretched to maintain its original dimensions.
Drying is carried out naturally, in places with good air circulation.
Carrying out the process near heating devices, heaters, central heating radiators is strictly prohibited.
It is also not advisable to dry it with a hairdryer or iron, otherwise deformation cannot be avoided.
When the pile is completely dry, it must be combed with a special metal comb. The leather part is thoroughly kneaded with your hands so that it becomes soft and elastic.
Washed slippers are stuffed with white paper and placed on the balcony in partial shade. Newspapers are not suitable for this as they can stain the inside of your shoes with lead.
Storage is carried out in ventilated places, having previously packed the product in a canvas bag. The presence of moth repellent in such places is extremely necessary.
Now we know whether it is possible to wash sheepskin by hand or using an automatic machine.
We found out all the intricacies of the process, as well as the rules for drying such delicate things. Follow the recommendations and advice, then items made from natural fleece will delight you for a long time.
Sheepskin is known for its amazing durability and ability to retain heat for a long time. This natural material is used for sewing outerwear, car covers, collars, hats, and mittens. It is also very popular in interior design. But the downside is that the skins quickly absorb unpleasant odors and become salty. There are several ways to clean sheepskin without damaging the material.
Nuances of daily care
Caring for sheepskin products requires compliance with a number of conditions:
- Regularly remove dust and small debris stuck in the fibers. To do this, shake the product vigorously several times. It is better to do this in an open space. If the item is too bulky and heavy, someone should be involved in the procedure.
- Vacuum regularly. This should be done using a soft nozzle at minimum power in the direction of pile growth. If you ignore these recommendations, you may damage the fur.
- If a musty smell appears, treat the skin with a mixture of soda and aromatic oil. After 24 hours, remove the dried product with a brush. To do this, you can also use a solution consisting of 1 tbsp. l. ammonia and 1 liter of water.
- Prevent pets from having access to a sheepskin product, be it outerwear or a rug.
- Remove dirt immediately after it appears. It is much easier to get rid of a fresh stain than an old one.
- Do not keep the item in a room with high humidity, near heating devices, or in direct sunlight. High temperatures and high humidity have a detrimental effect on the condition of sheepskin.
- Brush the fur regularly. This measure will give the fur product an attractive appearance.
- Before storing the item, ventilate it thoroughly in the open air. The same must be done before the start of a new season of its use. Fur items should be ventilated in a horizontal position in windy, cloudy weather.
- Do not place heavy furniture on a sheepskin rug without special softening pads.
- Do not iron products made from this type of fur.
- Store in a case. Sealed plastic packaging is not suitable for this purpose.
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