Washing & Drying Sheepskin

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Down-Under Wool is the Canadian distributor of

Woolskin: Sheepskin Detergent & Conditioner with Tea Tree Oil

Wool does not have to shrink- sheep do not shrink or harden in the rain!  Shrinkage, felting and skin hardening  are due to hot water, agitation, the use of inappropriate detergents or the use of a tanning procedure that does not allow for washing. For Woolskin to be effective, the sheepskin must have been chrome tanned. Check the tag or stamp on the back of the sheepskin to determine whether the sheepskin is washable. If neither is present, the sheepskin is probably "dry clean only".

Hot water, agitation and poor detergents cause wool fibers to shorten and lock tightly together; causing shrinkage and felting.

Wash sheepskin and wool products using the following procedures.

 Sheepskin Washing & Drying:

1. Make sure sheepskin is washable. Use cold or lukewarm water.

2. Add Woolskin: Sheepskin & Wool Shampoo with Tea Tree Oil.

3. Wash= machine wash using gentle/wool cycle or hand wash in a tub.

4. Dry= Spin dry slowly, then lay flat with leather side up- away from direct heat or sun. 

Detailed Instructions:

1. Use COLD or lukewarm water- NEVER HOT

(There is one exception: You can safely use hot water for HiTemp UR Medical Sheepskins AS4480.1. These superior sheepskins have withstood more than 200 hot water( less than 80^oC ) wash and dry cycles while retaining their softness and pressure relieving properties. HiTemp UR Medical Sheepskins are thermally disinfected when washed at 80^oC or 175^oF)

The use of excessively hot water:

2. USE A SHEEPSKIN DETERGENT: WOOLSKIN

Wool detergents eg Woolite, are not recommended for the washing of  sheepskins as they may contain chelating agents, phosphates, alkali, bleach, peroxide, triethanolamine, sequestering agents, phosphoric acid or enzymes. All are  harmful to leather and may permanently damage it.

Down-Under Wool recommends : Woolskin:  Sheepskin Detergent & Conditioner

This product has been developed by the tanning industry specifically for the washing of sheepskins and sheepskin products. It will keep the leather soft and supple while maintaining the luxurious hand or feel of the wool.

"Woolskin with Tea Tree Oil", a new generation product, will lubricate the sheepskin leather and give a distinct lustre and handle to the wool. The anti-bacterial in Woolskin remains in the washed article, providing continued action and prevention of odors. Woolskin kills mites ( the cause of house dust asthma) and washing with Woolskin will remove mite allergens.

3.  WASHING SHEEPSKIN RUGS, UGG BOOTS & SHEEPSKIN SLIPPERS

• Hand washing Sheepskin Rug/Overlay/Underlay: Add lukewarm water to the tub first. Then add the recommended amount of "Woolskin-with Tea Tree Oil"-  20 mL / lb of articles. Place the sheepskin in the solution and work it through the sheepskin for approximately 5-10 minutes. Squeeze by hand until clean. Rinse in cold water until it is clear. To remove excess moisture, use the spin-dry cycle of your washing machine. See drying instructions below.
• Handwashing UGG Boots and Sheepskin Slippers: UGG BOOTS and Sheepskin Slippers should     ONLY be hand washed.  Use WOOLSKIN to wash and condition UGG Boots and sheepskin slippers. Place  enough  cool water ( hot water will damage them) in a tub to cover the items and add 40 mL of Woolskin. Leave for 10 minutes and then double rinse. Never put UGG boots or sheepskin slippers in a washing machine, as this can permanently damage the sheepskin. Do not dry your sheepskin or UGG boots in a dryer, near a heat source, or in direct sunlight. Instead, stuff the sheepskin slippers or UGG boots with paper towels, and let them dry naturally, away from heat. The towels will help the boots to keep their shape.We recommend that you use Woolskin to protect, clean and disinfect your sheepskin and UGG boots. Common boot products could damage them.
• Machine wash: Machine washable Sheepskin may be cleaned in a washing machine using the wool or gentle cycle.  Use the recommended amount of Woolskin:
• 20 mL for a small load
• 40 mL for a full load. Use half of these quantities for Front Loading machines. Select cold or warm wash.  DOUBLE RINSE

• Institutional Washing: Authentic Australian Medical  Sheepskins are used extensively in hospitals and Nursing Homes. When appropriate washing procedures are used ( see below), they may be transferred from one patient to another without cross infection.

 Washing instructions for HiTemp Medical Sheepskins to meet thermal disinfection requirements. 

Detergent * =  Woolskin

The recommended detergent for institutional thermal and chemical disinfection  is Woolskin.  Acetic acid can be added to steps 1,5, & 9 to aid dye fastness ( pH controlled to 3.8 - 4.2)

4. DRYING SHEEPSKIN AND WOOL

Wool should be dried slowly and without exposure to direct heat or sunlight. Excess heat will damage wool and the leather of Medical Sheepskins. Place the wool item in the dryer ( no heat ).  Use the "fluff or gentle cycle" only. Remove from the dryer and place the sheepskin ( leather side facing upwards ) or wool article on a flat surface or drying rack.  Finish drying away from direct sunlight or heat. Wool does best with 15% residual moisture.

Do Not use direct Heat or  direct Sunlight to dry sheepskin.

Air dry sheepskins with the leather facing upwards.