Product Care

Natural wool, leather, and sheepskin products are wonderfully easy to look after. The unique structure of the fibers repels dirt and gives them a natural durability and resilience.

Even so, we recommend following the instructions below before you start using your Sheepskin House product. You'll always find individual care instructions on any Natures Collection product, and you're welcome to contact us if you have any questions or need a hand.

How to care for your sheepskins

Below you'll find some general care guidelines, along with a few tips and tricks for looking after your Sheepskin House product. To start, here are three simple rules to follow (no matter which sheepskin or other product you own):

1. Vacuum, shake, or brush your product regularly
2. Keep dyed products out of direct sunlight to avoid UV damage or fading
3. Treat stains and spills as quickly as possible

Regular vacuuming helps keep the wool and fibers soft and fluffy. Please remember to always use the lowest setting to avoid unnecessary damage. Products with longer, smooth wool also benefit from the occasional brush with a sheepskin brush.

A brush for caring for your sheepskins

Removing stains from a sheepskin

Small stains and spills can usually be removed with a sponge or a damp cloth and a little lukewarm water. If that doesn't do the trick, please follow the care instructions on your product or reach out to our team.

When dealing with stains or spills, it's really important to treat the mark as quickly as possible, since wet stains are easier to remove than dried-in ones. And finally, please remember that direct sunlight must be avoided because of UV radiation. Only natural, undyed skins are suitable for use in the sun.

General care tips for all skins

The same basics apply to every sheepskin: shake it out regularly and vacuum it occasionally. Skins with smooth hair should also be brushed now and then, while curly skins should only be shaken and vacuumed on a low setting.

Always take care when washing a sheepskin, as many skins can't be machine washed. Even skins that can go in the machine will felt, and the leather can become stiff once dry. That's why we only recommend machine washing as a last resort, and only once you're sure the skin won't be ruined by it.

Instead, whenever possible, remove stains directly with a damp cloth.

New Zealand Sheepskins

New Zealand sheepskins come in both a short-hair and a long-hair version. The short-hair version has fine little curls, while the other has smooth, long hair that should be brushed regularly.

Sheepskins from New Zealand

Care

• Vacuum on the lowest setting and shake the skin out regularly (at least 2-3 times a month)
• Regular brushing helps maintain the fluffy look of the long-hair version

Washing

• Hand wash in warm water (max 86°F / 30°C), or machine wash on a wool or delicate cycle (max 86°F / 30°C)
• Use only a mild, liquid detergent
• Spin to remove excess water on a wool or delicate setting only
• The leather side may stiffen after a machine wash, but you can soften it again by gently pulling it over the edge of a table

Drying

• Dry on a drying rack with the wool side facing down
• Do not tumble dry. Pull the skin back into shape while it dries
• Dry away from sunlight and direct heat

Dyed versions

• We recommend having dyed skins professionally cleaned

Tibetan Sheepskins

Tibetan sheepskins are known for their fine corkscrew curls. The skins are on the smaller, lighter side, shouldn't be brushed, and are wonderfully decorative and stylish. Tibetan sheepskins are dyed (except for the white ones), so they shouldn't be exposed to direct sunlight.

Sheepskin from Tibet

Care

• Vacuum on the lowest setting and shake the skin out regularly (at least 2-3 times a month)
• If the curls seem to have relaxed over time, you can lightly dampen the skin and reshape the curls by pinching them by hand

Washing

• Hand wash in cold water with a mild, liquid detergent
• Rinse with cold water
• Shake to remove excess water
• Do not machine wash!

Drying

• Dry on a drying rack with the wool side facing down
• Do not tumble dry. Pull the skin back into shape while it dries
• Dry away from sunlight and direct heat

Dyed versions

• Keep the skin out of direct sunlight, as it may otherwise discolor or fade
• We recommend having dyed skins professionally cleaned

Icelandic Sheepskins

Icelandic sheepskins are undyed and 100% natural. That means they can also be used outdoors, since they won't fade in direct sunlight. Icelandic sheepskins come in short-hair and long-hair versions, both of which benefit from regular brushing.

Long-haired sheepskin from Iceland

Care

• Vacuum on the lowest setting and shake the skin out regularly (at least 2-3 times a month)
• Regular brushing helps keep it looking soft and fluffy

Washing

• Hand wash in cold water with a mild, liquid detergent
• Rinse with cold water
• Shake to remove excess water
• Do not machine wash!

Drying

• Dry on a drying rack with the wool side facing down
• Do not tumble dry. Pull the skin back into shape while it dries
• Dry away from sunlight and direct heat

Dyed versions

• We recommend having dyed skins professionally cleaned

English Sheepskins

Like Icelandic sheepskins, English sheepskins are natural and undyed, so they can be used both indoors and outdoors. Another plus is that English sheepskins are probably the softest in our range, with wonderfully soft wool.

Sheepskin from England

Care

• Vacuum on the lowest setting and shake the skin out regularly (at least 2-3 times a month)
• Regular brushing helps keep it looking soft and fluffy

Washing

• Hand wash in cold water with a mild, liquid detergent
• Rinse with cold water
• Shake to remove excess water
• Do not machine wash!

Drying

• Dry on a drying rack with the wool side facing down
• Do not tumble dry. Pull the skin back into shape while it dries
• Dry away from sunlight and direct heat

Dyed versions

• We recommend having dyed skins professionally cleaned

Austrian Sheepskins

Austrian sheepskins have stylish curls and, unlike Tibetan sheepskins, are on the sturdier side. Since Austrian sheepskins are also undyed, they can happily sit out in the sun.

Sheepskin from Austria

Care

• Vacuum on the lowest setting and shake the skin out regularly (at least 2-3 times a month)
• Regular brushing helps keep it looking soft and fluffy

Washing

• Hand wash in cold water with a mild, liquid detergent
• Rinse with cold water
• Shake to remove excess water
• Do not machine wash!

Drying

• Dry on a drying rack with the wool side facing down
• Do not tumble dry. Pull the skin back into shape while it dries
• Dry away from sunlight and direct heat

Mongolian Goathides

Mongolian goathides have long, smooth hair, roughly 8 inches (20 cm) long. The hides come in several colors, but they're dyed, so they shouldn't be exposed to direct sunlight.

Goathide from Mongolia

Care

• Vacuum on the lowest setting and shake the skin out regularly (at least 2-3 times a month)

Washing

• Hand wash in cold water with a mild, liquid detergent
• Rinse with cold water
• Shake to remove excess water
• Do not machine wash!

Drying

• Dry on a drying rack with the wool side facing down
• Do not tumble dry. Pull the skin back into shape while it dries
• Dry away from sunlight and direct heat

Dyed versions

• We recommend having dyed skins professionally cleaned

Tibetan Goathides

Tibetan goathides have a hair length of about 2 inches (5 cm) and are completely natural, so they can be used indoors and out. Because goathides are so durable, they also make a great rug.

Goathide from Tibet

Care

• Vacuum on the lowest setting and shake the skin out regularly (at least 2-3 times a month)

Washing

• Hand wash in cold water with a mild, liquid detergent
• Rinse with cold water
• Shake to remove excess water
• Do not machine wash!

Drying

• Dry on a drying rack with the wool side facing down
• Do not tumble dry. Pull the skin back into shape while it dries
• Dry away from sunlight and direct heat

Dyed versions

• We recommend having dyed skins professionally cleaned

Brazilian Cowhides

Our Brazilian cowhides are of the highest quality, so care can be kept to a minimum, since the hides naturally stay beautiful and clean.

Cowhide from Brazil

6 tips for caring for cowhides:

• Shake and air the hide out in fresh air (frosty weather is fine)
• Remove stains with a neutral soap and warm water (max 104°F / 40°C) without scrubbing too hard
• Don't let the hide become completely soaked
• Don't use any chemical cleaning products
• Use a soft, clean cloth when cleaning
• Turn the hide over from time to time to avoid uneven wear

Reindeer Hides

Reindeer hides are natural products, so they always vary slightly in size and color. Because the hairs of a reindeer hide are hollow inside, reindeer hides should only be used for decoration.

Nordic reindeer hides

Using the hide

• Reindeer hide should be used for decoration only
• The hairs gain volume when warm and can shed, for example when used on a chair
• So please don't sit on reindeer hides, avoid direct heat (radiators, underfloor heating, a nearby fireplace, and the like), and use the hide for decoration only

Cleaning

• Freshen it up with a gentle shake
• Vacuum on the lowest setting
• Only vacuum in the natural direction the hair falls
• The hide can be dabbed with a damp cloth or carefully washed