Cleaning Sheepskins?

[PanzerSD]

How does one go about cleaning a sheepskin that has been in storage for a long time? I'm not expecting miracles, just wanna wash it.

[H-townbenzoboy]

I just took mine in to the dry cleaners.

[Billybob]

Hair on skin! Shampoo! Any mild soap and don't use heat to dry the leather.

[winecountryone]

I contacted the manufacturer of mine who said it was ok to machine wash with gentle soap (I used woolite) and air dry.They actually came out looking real good.They took forever to dry,even in warm weather though.

[PanzerSD]

Next Question: Can it be brushed to re-fluff it?

[compu_85]

I would think washing, followed by a trip in the dryer on the no heat setting would re fluff it.

-Jason

[strelnik]

Originally Posted by compu_85

I would think washing, followed by a trip in the dryer on the no heat setting would re fluff it.

-Jason

In the factory, these are washed with a mix of perchloroethylene and cleaning fluid that's put on with a scrub brush, then they are covered with corn cob dust, but flour works too. After drying by being laid out flat or in a giant roll cage dryer, they are blown off with non-oiled air and stuck on a hanger.

At home, you could wash them in shampoo on delicate in cold water, after they are rinsed, hang them on a hanger in a in the bathroom and let them drip in the tub.

To fluff, when they are dry, mix a little hair conditioner in a plant-type spray bottle and spray very lightly all over. Then fluff in the dryer on no heat for about 15-20 min. They still might be a tad damp, so let them dry in the sun, they will be clean and pretty fluffy.

We used to charge about 100-150 bucks to clean sheep skins, so I can imagine a quality job will cost a lot, but they used to do 50 at a time. You know those dryers were big. In fact, if they were hollow, you could drive a car in them.

I worked my way through college for two years doing this.