Cleaning Sheepskin Seat Covers...?

SCCutler

SCCutler

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Spike Cutler
Two sheepskins came with my plane; they are in generally good condition, but (like all such things) have gotten a little bit matted and... crusty?

I have seen sheepskins immediately post-cleaning which were clean and fluffy- delightful- and I'd like to know the best way to clean these up without ruining them.

If PoA don't know it, it ain't worth knowin'! ;)
 
SCCutler said:
Two sheepskins came with my plane; they are in generally good condition, but (like all such things) have gotten a little bit matted and... crusty?

I have seen sheepskins immediately post-cleaning which were clean and fluffy- delightful- and I'd like to know the best way to clean these up without ruining them.

If PoA don't know it, it ain't worth knowin'! ;)
Click to expand...

Mine just ask to be washed gently with mild soap. Then after a good rinsing I gently tumble them in the drier until almost dry then hang them in front of a fan's breeze in a warm, dry place until completely dry, which can take 48 hours.
 
My roommate has sheepskin covers in his POS van. When he comes home tonight, I'll look at the washing tag (which I am near positive is still there) and get back to you, Spike.
 
SCCutler said:
Two sheepskins came with my plane; they are in generally good condition, but (like all such things) have gotten a little bit matted and... crusty?

I have seen sheepskins immediately post-cleaning which were clean and fluffy- delightful- and I'd like to know the best way to clean these up without ruining them.

If PoA don't know it, it ain't worth knowin'! ;)
Click to expand...

Ah, Spike, you live in the Great State of Texas - there must be some rancher that knows how to clean sheep... :goofy:

Seriously, the ones I have are slip-over covers that can be removed for standard cleaning in the laundry or dry cleaner. In the plane itself? Some kind of upholstery cleaner should work.
 
Sheepskin (and thus wool) should never be washed in a machine -- ever.

Find a dry cleaning place that specializes in sheepskin/wool (yes, there are many) and go to them.

You can really mess wool up royally with standard washing process.
 
dmccormack said:
Sheepskin (and thus wool) should never be washed in a machine -- ever.

Find a dry cleaning place that specializes in sheepskin/wool (yes, there are many) and go to them.

You can really mess wool up royally with standard washing process.
Click to expand...

Exactly!

You can also use a pet brush one them to get them soft and untagled as well.
 
Dave Krall CFII said:
Mine just ask to be washed gently with mild soap. Then after a good rinsing I gently tumble them in the drier until almost dry then hang them in front of a fan's breeze in a warm, dry place until completely dry, which can take 48 hours.
Click to expand...

The only problem is standing the smell of wet sheep wool.
 
Spike - just give 'em a BAAAAAAAAAth ... :)
 
Thanks for the suggestions; these are the real sheepskins, with actual "skin" on the back.
 
Don't use a Dryer

The best method for cleaning sheepskin is to just wet the wool side (Try to keep the leather as dry as possible), and wash with a mild soap or this. Then dry on a line. My family and I have been using this method on out sheep skind for years, and thay are all in very good shape, still.

Also hand cards are great for fluffing up your sheep skins.
 
Ah to answer this question we must look to what happens in nature, how DOES a sheep keep the wool clean?
They lick it.
Yes, Mr. Cutler the best way - really the only way - is going to be for you to get down there and lick all your covers clean. "Eww", you say
or was that "ewe"? in any case, that is what must be done for a thorough job.

SCCutler said:
T
If PoA don't know it, it ain't worth knowin'! ;)
Click to expand...
Anything to prove you wrong! :D:D
 
dmccormack said:
Sheepskin (and thus wool) should never be washed in a machine -- ever.

Find a dry cleaning place that specializes in sheepskin/wool (yes, there are many) and go to them.

You can really mess wool up royally with standard washing process.
Click to expand...

I've never had a problem or odor with gentle machine washing, drying and a fanned air dry finish as stated above. It gets mine far more clean than dry cleaning, which I think is ineffective.
 
There are no washing instuctions on the seat covers....sorry!
 
This is the best thing about POA.... shear intelligence and no lack of bleating out solutions for the ugliest problems.

Spike, one other suggestion - dye 'em black. Be your own Black Sheep Squadron!
 
Sent an E-mail to Rocky Mountain Sheepskin Co. asking what the best way to clean their covers. We shall see what they say.
Ron
 
This is what I got back from Rocky Mountain Sheepskin Co.

Ron,

Below are the cleaning instructions for our sheepskin seat covers.


We recommend a quick brush with a wired comb or vacuum from time
to time for general upkeep. This will keep them nice and fluffy for
years to come. Sheepskin seat covers are fully washable if needed.

Seat covers can be dry cleaned, machine washed or spot cleaned.

Dry cleaners that accept fur coats usually clean sheepskin seat covers
too. Remove the hooks before you drop them off.
This is the most expensive option.

If you want to machine wash them, remove the hooks, wash with a baby
shampoo or a sheepskin shampoo (not Woolite or any other detergent),
cold or luke warm water, gentle cycle and do not use the dryer. Air dry
the seat covers. Do not expose to direct sunlight while the covers are
drying, it can fade the colors.
The covers will take 2-3 days to dry completely. Brush them out with a
curry comb (doggie brush) once they are dry and re-install them on your
seats.

Machine washing is usually a safe method to clean seat covers, if the
covers are older and/or brittle hand wash only is recommended.

Or they can be cleaned with a foam spray-on carpet/upholstery cleaner,
spray on, work it into the seat cover (no need to remove the seat covers
from the seats) let it dry and vacuum out. Woolite and other companies
offer this kind of cleaner. It can be purchased at a drug store or
grocery store. Check for color fastness if you have black or dark
colored seat covers.

Washing the seat covers will void the warranty, since we have no control
over how you wash them.

We can send you a brochure and color samples if you are interested and
hope the information provided answers your questions.

Sincerely,

Uta Petersen
Rocky Mountain Sheepskin Co.
1-800-428-7216

http://rmsheepskin.com
 
Marvelous! Thank you all for your assistance.
 
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