How do I clean sheep skins?

[bhofmann]

Hi

I hope this is the right forum for this. I've got two sheep skins/furs that have been in the garage for a long time and are dusty and filthy. I'd like to clean them before I try make something from them like a waist coat or body warmer.

Does anyone know whether I can machine wash them, or should I hand wash them, or how else should I clean them?

Thanks
Bernie

[bert333]

Iput mine in the washing machine at 30 degrees wash cycle using Stergene liquid made for delicate wollens.
I leave to air dry, use a hair brush then to fluff out then coat the underskin with Neatsfoot oil - it smells a bit but the skin laps it up-
My sheepskin is used on a bike in all weather!

[bhofmann]

Thanks so much Bert. I just wanted to be sure I wasn't going to ruin them.

[bert333]

:) glad to pass on something I leaned here Bernie!

[moonvisage]

I have a few items made of sheepskin.What i do,is hang them over a chair in the sun light,in order to kill off all mould etc,and beat the dust,mould and mites out with a fly swat.I then spray febreeze over it to give it a nicer smell.I never comb or brush my sheepskin,as too much wool get pulled out.

[Noddy]

I prefer that they use Molton Brown for showering and so forth, and something by Clarins for ordinary skincare