How to Wash Sheepskin

Washing by Hand

Fill your bathtub with lukewarm water and add sheepskin detergent. Washing your sheepskin in hot water can cause it to shrink, so be sure the water is cool or lukewarm. Add a capful of sheepskin detergent to the tub. Look for sheepskin detergent where you bought your sheepskin, at a furrier, or online. A regular wool detergent may damage sheepskin. Check the label on your detergent to make sure it says it is safe to use on sheepskin. You can also use a very mild clothing detergent. Try a detergent made for delicates or one that is dye-free and fragrance-free. If you are unsure if it's mild enough, test the detergent on a small section of the sheepskin first. Avoid detergents that contain enzymes or bleach, and do not use a fabric softener.

Put the sheepskin into the tub and swish it around for 5 minutes. Submerge the sheepskin fully under the water. Swish it in circular motions under the water for up to five minutes to loosen any dirt or debris.

Ring out the sheepskin and rinse it twice under cool water. Take the sheepskin out of the soapy water. Drain the bathtub and squeeze the extra soapy water from the sheepskin. Rinse it twice under cold water until the water runs clear to get rid of all the detergent. Roll it up and squeeze out as much water as possible into the bathtub. If the sheepskin is still dripping wet, you can also pat it with a clean towel to remove the excess water.

Lay your sheepskin flat to dry naturally. Lay your sheepskin flat on a towel to dry away from direct sunlight or heat. Keep it flat and pull the leather into shape if it looks bumpy or misshapen. It can take up to 24 hours to dry completely. Putting your sheepskin in the dryer, even on the most gentle cycle, can damage it.

Brush your sheepskin with a wire brush while it's still damp. Use a metal bristled sheepskin or dog brush to gently brush the sheepskin. Carefully release any tangles and fluff the hair to help it dry.

Wash a faux sheepskin in the washing machine on the gentle cycle. Most faux sheepskin products can also be washed in the washing machine. Be sure to check the care tag on your product first. Use cold water and a delicate cycle with as little spin as possible. You can also hand wash faux sheepskin in the same way as real sheepskin.

Performing Spot-Cleaning

Clean up small spills immediately with a cloth and a sheepskin detergent. As soon as the spill happens, first try to blot the stain with a dry microfiber cloth. If that doesn't take care of the stain, dampen the cloth and add a drop of sheepskin detergent to it. Gently blot, wipe, or scrub in the direction of the fur. Let the spot air dry. Using a hair dryer to dry any damp spots can damage the sheepskin. If there is any debris or dirt in the stain, pick it out gently with tweezers.

Treat persistent stains with a thin layer of cornstarch. If you have a particularly stubborn stain that won't come out, sprinkle cornstarch over it. Cover the whole stain with a thin layer. Let it sit for a day or two. The worse the stain, the longer you should let it sit. The cornstarch will soak up the stain. Remove the cornstarch with a soft towel and comb the area with a wire brush to remove tangles and restore the sheepskin's fluffiness.

Absorb smells by sprinkling baking soda on the sheepskin. If you still feel an odd smell after you've spot cleaned your sheepskin, sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the area after it dries. Rub it in gently with your hands and let it sit overnight. The baking soda will soak up the smells. Then, shake out the baking soda and gently comb the area with a wire sheepskin or dog brush.

Vacuum sheepskin with a regular suction hose attachment. If you want to get some crumbs or other debris out of a sheepskin rug or car seat, you can use your vacuum cleaner. Be sure to use a regular hose attachment. A rolling brush at the end of your vacuum can damage the sheepskin. You can vacuum your sheepskin up to once per week. Try to brush out the sheepskin with a wire brush after vacuuming if it looks a bit tangled or matted.

Maintaining Sheepskin Between Washes

Shake and brush your sheepskin regularly. If you feel your sheepskin is looking a little dirty, take it outside and shake it vigorously to get rid of dust and debris. Then, brush it with a metal sheepskin or dog brush to get rid of any tangles and restore its fluffiness. Shake out the sheepskin every few days to keep it clean and fresh. If you have allergies, you may want to shake out your sheepskin every day to keep the debris and dust to a minimum.

Store the sheepskin away from heat and direct sunlight. Heat and sunlight can shrink and disfigure sheepskin. Always keep sheepskin in a cool, dry place. Keeping a sheepskin rug in direct sunlight can cause it to fade. Always store sheepskin in a breathable bag. Plastic or vinyl do not allow sheepskin to breathe and can dry it out.

Be extra gentle with a sheepskin coat when it's wet. You can wear a sheepskin coat in rain or snow, but be careful about going out in an extreme downpour. If it does get completely saturated with water, carefully shake off the excess water and dab with a clean towel. Vigorously rubbing your sheepskin can push the water deep into the leather and discolor it.