FAQ

Wool is sheep hair. This unique fiber must be shorn from the sheep once a year to prevent overgrowth. Overgrowth can cause body over- heating and excess weight in some varieties of sheep. Shearing is really giving a necessary haircut. The shorn wool is sorted by a wool classer and then is sent for processing.

Fine wool is used extensively for clothing and helping to solve medical problems, like pressure sores. Coarse wool is primarily used for carpets, felt, insulation etc.  Sheepskin is a by-product of the meat industry. The skin is removed following death, fleshed and then tanned. After tanning, the wool, which is still attached to the skin, may be trimmed to an even height to produce Medical Sheepskins, shoes, slippers, wheelchair pads etc. If the wool is removed entirely, the cleaned leather is used for leather jackets, hand bags, coats, chamois, etc. Tanning is necessary to preserve the skin and to secure the wool fibers to the leather.

Sheepskin is a value added product of the sheep industry. Normally, animals are killed for human consumption and non-consumable parts are used as much as possible. If the sheepskin and wool is salvageable, they are then directed to other industries. Double face sheepskin (wool on one side and leather on the other) is often used to produce footwear, floor rugs, Babycare pads, wheelchair pads, drum heads, baseballs etc. The leather, also known as chamois, is often used for drum heads, high quality leather clothing etc. Extensive use of sheep by-products has ensured that the sheep industry is sustainable in Australia.

This is a very difficult comparison to judge. Sheepskin jackets and coats are very warm and comforting. A corresponding coat or jacket may not be as warm since they cannot trap as much air..this is what does the insulating. Sheepskin has unparalleled warmth as compared to wool. Sheepskin apparel is especially effective in heavy winds where it readily retains body heat. Sheepskin products are generally more expensive than corresponding wool products; largely because of the amount of processing required.

Australian Medical Sheepskins (AS4480.1) have been proven, in clinical trials, to prevent pressure sores. Because of this and users experience, medical sheepskin is widely used in the field of medicine. Medical Sheepskins are natural products that are used to prevent and treat bedsores, pressure sores and decubitus ulcers. Medical sheepskin manages discomfort and protects those confined to a bed, chair or recliner. Medical sheepskins (AS4480.1) have been tanned to make them machine washable in hot water and Urine Resistant. Such tanning makes medical sheepskin suitable for incontinent patients. Best protection against pressure sores is achieved with 24/7 use.

One wonderful feature of lying on a medical sheepskin is that the sheepskin pad is breathable. The wool fibers are hollow and springy, supporting the body weight while promoting airflow. It is the breathability of the sheepskin that enables it to evaporate the absorbed moisture, keeping the skin dry and cool, In this environment, bacteria do not do well and infection chances are reduced.

The good news about Medical Sheepskin AS44801 is that they are machine washable in a recommended detergent- Woolskin is best. So now, you don't have to worry about washing. Small stains and spills can be easily treated with a damp cloth. Remember to brush and shake regularly to restore the pile. Washable Sheepskin products should be washed in Woolskin-Detergent and Conditioner or other approved detergents. Do not use Woolite- it will damage the leather.

• Sheepskins can be dry cleaned- this may be quite expensive.  Air thoroughly after dry cleaning. Not all dry cleaners will attempt cleaning.
• Medical sheepskin should be tumble-dried on a cooler setting. Best however is air dry. Tumbling causes the wool to felt.
• To air dry, lay the sheepskin on a drying rack or over a chair with the leather facing upwards. Do not dry in the sun or near a direct heat source.
• Ironing and bleaching of the sheepskin should be avoided.

There is nothing as soft and luxurious as something that is made out of sheepskin. Sheepskin is warm, soft and has high insulating properties. One of the advantages of some sheepskins is that they are machine washable. It is very important to know how to clean the sheepskin as the leather side of the sheepskin, if not washed correctly, can be permanently damaged. Just remember the below mentioned sheepskin cleaning rules and you are good to go.

• Wash the sheepskin with Woolskin or an approved detergent.
• Do not bleach.
• Wash separately when washing in the washing machine.
• Wash the sheepskin in cold or lukewarm water that is up to 108 degrees Fahrenheit
• Do not iron or tumble dry the sheepskin, it is suggested to air dry the sheepskin.

Medical Sheepskins AS44801 are used as Mattress Overlays and pads because of their high wool pile density and washability. Sustainable support provided by medical sheepskins relieves pressure points along with added prevention of bedsores and pressure sores. Medical grade sheepskin also assists the body to maintain a constant body temperature and reduces excess perspiration. Medical grade sheepskin is available in many sizes and shapes; it is very easy to clean, being specially tanned so that washing will not change the wool or the leather. The soft, pliable, non-slip leather backing enables adjustable positioning for wheelchair and bed use. Medical grade sheepskin is sanitized by the tanning process.

Sheepskin is widely used across a range of industries in the making of many products eg gloves, slippers, hats, seat covers, and rugs. It is also used for various products such as boots and saddles because of its dense and soft pile. Sheepskin is also fire resistant and static electricity free. This makes the home use of sheepskin safe and practical. Sheepskin is used medically to protect people confined to a bed or chair. Medical sheepskins prevent and treat pressure sores, bedsores and decubitus ulcers. Protect those who you care for, before it is too late!

Do not use a donut. This will make the bedsore worse, since it will reduce the blood  circulation in the affected area. Bedsores are caused by a number of factors. If you reduce or eliminate these factors, the bedsore will heal. The 3 most important factors are: Pressure, Friction and Moisture.  HiTemp Urine Resistant Medical Sheepskins ( AS4480.1) will reduce all 3 factors and will give the skin a chance to heal. We recommend that you have your father lie directly on the sheepskin ( his skin in contact with the wool) for added comfort and best pressure sore prevention.

Placing your heels directly on a Medical Sheepskin pad will reduce or eliminate the causes of the sores. We recommend that you use the Pressure Smart- Pressure Care Assistant. This is a pad of Pressure Smart WOOL ( 26" X 12" ) with side flaps that can be tucked under the mattress to keep it in place.

The HiTemp UR Medical Sheepskin AS44801 or M102 is the highest quality sheepskin available. The pile density is very high and the sheepskin has been tanned so that it will not break down in the presence of urine. Ideal for incontinent patients. Excellent washability. They can be washed up to 80C, providing thermal disinfection. Some of these sheepskins have now been in hospitals for more than 2 years and have been washed more than 200 times in woolskin. And they are still performing well.

Healthcare Lambskin is a high quality chrome tanned lambskin. The pile density is very good and has good washability with Woolskin. Wash in water with Woolskin up to 30C. Wash as you would a good woolen sweater. These lambskins are not urine resistant and will break down in the presence of urine. Not recommended for incontinent clients.

We would recommend that she uses the HiTemp UR Medical Sheepskin AS44801 in the bed and wheelchair. They are easily moved. To prevent heel sores, we suggest you use the Pressure Care Assistant . Both products should be washed in W103: Woolskin- the best product for washing sheepskin and wool.

You can see and order our products from our secure on-line store. Here you can order what you need, pay with your credit card and get immediate delivery. To go to the store, click: Or, you can call: 1- 800 - 463 - 1985 and talk to our Bedsore Prevention Specialists. We can offer suggestions for your situation. 

>Most orders will arrive within 2-8 business days. Orders are delivered by Canada Post in Canada and USPS in the US. International orders are sent by insured Air Mail. We offer FREE Shipping &; Handling for all orders over USD US $180.00 = CA $232.82 . This offer is only for orders shipped to addresses in Canada and the Lower 48 States of the USA.

Our Warranty: Down-Under Wool stands behind their products; knowing that they are the best available. They are guaranteed against material imperfections and construction defects. If you have a problem with any of our products, please contact us and we will endeavor to solve the problem. We want to keep you as a valued customer and will do all in our power to keep you satisfied with our products. You should be aware however, that sheepskin is a natural product and that every sheepskin is slightly different from others. This warranty does not cover normal wear and tear or occurrences out of the manufacturers control. Please note: Sheepskin products will change their appearance once washed. After the first wash the wool fibers will revert back to their natural shape, providing even greater comfort and performance. Should you have any problems with any of our products, please contact us first. We will discuss the problem with you and the possible solutions that we can offer. We will willingly accept the return of unused items in their original packaging. All returns must be post prepaid.  The total cost of the returned item, minus the original shipping cost, will be credited back to your credit card account upon reception of the returned items. Only items received less than 30 days after shipping will be accepted. Items returned from the USA should be sent through the US Postal Service. The Customs declaration "Description of Contents" should quote the following:

Your Privacy is our Concern! Protecting your privacy is a top priority for us all. The following describes how we collect, use and protect any personal, business data or  information you provide us with via our web site, email, telephone, fax or mail. We use the PayPal connection (SSL) for a secure checkout procedure.

• What we Collect.

  We use a standard log utility that provides statistics to us in regard to how many pages are being accessed on our site. While visiting our web site, this information is stored in a log file that indicates which pages are accessed, which files are downloaded and what errors occur. We review which top domain addresses view our site. This process does not collect any personal information about you or your business. These logs are stored in a secure area temporarily, until reports are run, then are removed from the server. When you shop On-Line with our Catalogue, a Session ID tracks movements and your IP Address is stored for authentication reasons only. This is standard for all shopping cart programs. Your name, address and contact information is stored securely. Credit card information is obtained from you by PayPal and is not shared with us. Our Catalogue uses cookies to identify you and your movement through our store. A cookie is a small file that expires on a certain date and is stored on your computer. Our cookies do not track your movement throughout the Internet and do not ever send us information about you when you are not on our site.

  What We Do With This Information?

  We do not sell or trade any of our customer's contact information; nor do we buy such information from any third party. If you have any questions about our privacy policy, please contact us.

Unused items in the original packaging may be returned within 30 days of ordering. Items returned from a US addtress , should be returned by USPS.

The Customs Declaration should include:

If an alternate Courier is used,  other charges may be applied.

Returning goods should be sent to:

Down-Under Wool

8141 Lamont Avenue

Niagara Falls, ON

Canada  L2G 6V6

Return Authorization Number is obtained from Down-Under Wool by phone or email and should be clearly shown on the returning box.