Sheepskin #127

Sheepskin has natural virtues which give it many self-cleaning properties, it will still be necessary from time to time to take certain measures.

If you have just purchased a sheepskin, it may smell first. It is a natural product, the strength of this smell will fade quickly, then the fur will take on the smell of home.

Daily  all you need is regular maintenance, but what to do in the event of a stain? Or faced with a very dirty sheepskin?

Clean a sheepskin by hand in case of stains:

To remove a stain from your sheepskin, use water and Marseille soap. Then using the sponge, rub gently in the direction of hair growth. Then you just have to let it dry naturally at room temperature. But especially not in the sun or towards any other source of heat.

Washing heavily soiled sheepskin:

You should know that sheepskin is made of natural fibers. It is very sensitive to chemicals and intensive drying.

It is possible to put your sheepskin in the washing machine but you will need to use a special wool detergent and select a special wool program at 30°C. Once your sheepskin has been washed, let it dry at room temperature in a natural way, no sun, radiator or hair dryer. Be careful though, this can deform your sheepskin.

On horseback:

Sheepskin  can be used on horseback for optimal comfort.

Bareback simply laid on a carpet,  on a foam or on a saddle, you just have to put your surcingle on it to keep it in place.

You won't be able to do without it!

In decoration:

But the skin can also  be used as a decorative element:  floor mat, accessory for a chair, sofa or bed.

How does the tanning process work?

Tanning is the process by which a hide or leather is preserved while retaining its natural properties. Tanning is an activity requiring great skill and hard work.

The tanning process begins with the removal of as much fat as possible from the skin. It is then salted, which prevents rotting and hair loss. Then the skin is washed with soap and water to remove as much dirt as possible.

Once the skin is washed, it enters the fleshing machine where the remains of fat and meat residues are removed. After that, the skin is intensively washed again.

After the washing process, the skins are immersed in a large container of salt, acid and fat, which kills any remaining bacteria and prevents the skin from decomposing.  As the hides are still damp after washing and tanning, most of the moisture is squeezed out using a wringer and the rest is dried naturally by hanging the hides. At the end of this drying process, before the skin is completely dry, it is stretched using a coagulation machine so that the skins become smooth again.

Finally, the excess leather is trimmed to give the fur a better shape. It is ironed in the ironing machine to give a nice shine to the fur.

Once the skins are dry and smooth, the leather is worked using a grinder to even out the skin. The skin is then combed by hand with a combing machine.

Animals are not slaughtered specifically for their fur. Their fur is a residual product of the meat industry. Thus, the fur receives a second life, as if it were a practical decoration, instead of simply being thrown away.