Above your favorite armchair, on the sofa, as a living room rug, or a cozy stroller mat: A sheepskin is rarely just decoration. It gets used, touched, loved, and accompanies your daily life in countless ways. Precisely this daily closeness is what makes it so popular, but it also leaves traces sooner or later: a spilled drink here, dust and odors there, or simply a dull, flat hide that has lost its original shine.
Our blog article walks you step-by-step through how to wash and gently clean your sheepskin in these situations, without damaging the leather or harming the natural structure of the hide. You’ll learn whether and when the washing machine is suitable, which household remedies work, and how to get the hide soft again afterward. With concrete numbers, clear if-then recommendations, and a table showing which hide type tolerates which treatment.
Washing hides: Sheepskin vs. Lambskin differences
Does it not matter how I proceed if I want to wash a hide? It’s not quite that simple, because the distinct terms sheepskin and lambskin are often used synonymously, even though they refer to completely different products. Sheepskin comes from fully grown animals and usually has coarser, more robust fibers, making it ideal for high-traffic areas like rugs or seat cushions. Lambskin, on the other hand, is finer, softer, and denser in the pile, and is often used for baby mats, strollers, or as a cozy blanket. The difference is clear in care: Lambskin is more sensitive to heat and mechanical stress, while sheepskin is a bit more forgiving.
Before you start: Which type of sheepskin do you want to wash?
Not every sheepskin can be treated the same way. The deciding factor here is the tanning method.
Vegetable-tanned and medicine-tanned hides can be washed in the washing machine. Salt-tanned genuine hides, on the other hand, should only be spot-cleaned by hand.
Hides tanned with aluminum salts must never be fully soaked. Water would wash out the salts and permanently damage the hide.
The following table shows the most common tanning types & identifying marks:
| Tanning type | Identifying marks | Washing machine? | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine-tanned | Light yellowish leather side, soft | Yes (30°C) | Wool cycle and gentle spin |
| Vegetable-tanned | Natural, light-colored leather side | Yes (30°C) | Wool cycle and gentle spin |
| Salt-tanned / Aluminum salt | No label or "do not wash" | No | Only dry cleaning or professional service if needed |
| Unknown / no label | No care instructions available | No | For safety, only dry clean |
If in doubt, check the care label, which is usually attached to one of the short sides of the hide and often sewn into the leather side.
If the label is missing or unreadable, follow this rule:
It is best to only dry clean it.
Anyone who is unsure can ask the retailer or test a small piece in an inconspicuous spot with a little water. If the leather side turns dark and stays stiff after drying, it is almost certainly a salt-tanned hide that should not be wet-cleaned.
Washing a sheepskin: How often is it really necessary?
The simple answer: Less often than you think. What ultimately connects sheepskin and lambskin is an extraordinary property: their high lanolin content, the natural sheep wool fat that makes up up to 25% of raw wool weight. This natural protective layer supports the hide’s self-cleaning properties and means you only need to wash a sheepskin far less often overall.
The basic rule:
Sheepskin and lambskin usually have a lifespan of 10 to 20 years when cared for correctly. However, frequent washing unnecessarily accelerates wear on the lanolin layer and the leather structure.
- With regular use, e.g. as a decorative element or rug, it is therefore sufficient to clean the hide once or twice a year.
- For heavily used hides, such as in a stroller, as a bed covering, or in households with pets, a more frequent cleaning schedule may make sense.
So the rule is: Washing less, but brushing and airing more often, is the better care routine.
In which cases should you wash your sheepskin immediately at the first sign of dirt:
- As soon as fresh liquid stains appear
- acting quickly prevents unsightly, dried-on stains
- After heavy use over several weeks
Cleaning a sheepskin without washing it: These 5 methods are usually enough
Not every type of dirt requires a full wash. And not every heavy daily use needs a wet wash right away. For most everyday situations, our following methods are fully sufficient to clean your sheepskin without having to wash it:
Tip 1) Shake out and air
Take the hide outside, gently beat it, then hang it in fresh air – ideally in a covered, well-ventilated spot. Fresh air activates the self-cleaning properties of the lanolin layer, and light to moderate odors often disappear on their own after just a few hours.
Tip 2) Brush the hide
In fact, many dried-on stains can often be brushed out directly with a hide or special lambskin brush. Always work gently and evenly in the direction of the fibers. Regular brushing, ideally once a month, prevents matting and tangling in the hide. If you don’t have a suitable brush on hand, you can alternatively use a lint roller for superficial cleaning.
Tip 3) Baking soda for odors
Baking soda is the ultimate all-around household helper, and it also works to fight odors when caring for sheepskin. Sprinkle it generously over the wool side and let it work overnight, ideally for 12–24 hours, before brushing it out thoroughly. During this time, baking soda effectively binds musty odors without attacking the fibers or leather side.
As a guide:
For a sheepskin with a leather length of 80 to 100 cm, you will need about 1 to 2 large cups, so around 200 to 400 g of baking soda.
Tip 4) Vinegar water for light stains
You may not believe it, but vinegar water is also a simple and effective household remedy for cleaning your sheepskin without washing it. Simply mix a solution of one part vinegar and three parts lukewarm water on a clean cloth and gently dab the light stain, always working gently and never rubbing. Then lightly wipe the treated area with clear water and let the sheepskin air dry.
Tip 5) Spot stain treatment
For individual fresh stains, it is often enough to dab them immediately with a clean, damp cloth, but please do not rub. For already dried-on stains, first try gently loosening them with a dry hide brush. Treat stubborn stains on the wool side with a damp cloth and a small amount of mild wool detergent, keeping the leather side as dry as possible.
Important:
Always first test cleaning agents on an inconspicuous spot. Colored hides in particular can bleed if treated incorrectly. Colored hides are generally more sensitive and should only be dry cleaned.
Can you wash a sheepskin in the washing machine?
When it comes to sheepskin and the washing machine, the question often arises rightly: Can you wash a sheepskin in the washing machine, or is it better to wash it by hand? Our clear, honest answer: Yes, but only under certain conditions.
Here we come back to our table of tanning types again, because only vegetable-tanned or medicine-tanned hides can tolerate the machine. Salt-tanned hides will be destroyed by machine washing, as the tanning salts will be washed out and the leather will permanently harden.
So if you own a vegetable-tanned or medicine-tanned hide and want to use the washing machine with a gentle cycle for sheepskin cleaning, our following step-by-step guide will give you the guidance you need. We’ll also show you an equally simple and safe guide for gentle hand washing at home.
Step-by-step guide: Cleaning a sheepskin in the washing machine
- Prepare the hide: Loosen dried-on stains with a brush and remove loose debris.
- Wash alone: Put the hide in the drum without other laundry, as other textiles can damage the fibers or transfer dye.
- Choose the right cycle: Always select the wool cycle or alternatively the delicate/gentle cycle or hand wash setting, and wash at a maximum of 30°C.
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Use the right detergent: Use a mild wool detergent without bleach, fabric softener, and fragrances whenever possible. Our bluu nonscent laundry strips for example, are phosphate-free, completely fragrance-free, and suitable for all textiles, including wool, silk, and cashmere. One laundry strip per wash cycle is enough.
OUR ADDITIONAL TIP:
Washing your sheepskin at 30°C on the wool cycle means you are inevitably using low temperatures. While low temperatures are gentle on the material, they are less effective against bacteria and germs that cause musty odors.
Our bluu silvertrooper fixes this:
Simply add this hygiene silver cloth to the drum, and it will release silver ions that have an antibacterial effect without stressing the hide. - Spin: Only use a gentle spin cycle at a maximum of 400 to 600 revolutions, as excessive spinning can stress the leather and permanently mat the fibers.
- Remove immediately: Take the hide out right after the wash cycle and lay it flat to dry immediately in a well-ventilated spot, ideally on a drying rack or a clean towel with the wool side facing down. While the hide is still damp, you can gently reshape it a few times.
Washed the hide? Don’t forget the washing machine
Right after a hide wash, you will often find not just dirt and fine wool fibers in the lint filter, but also in the interior of the machine.
This is the perfect time to also clean the washing machine itself briefly: Our bluu calcbusters washing machine cleaner & descaler uses oxygen power to dissolve limescale, dirt film, and odor-causing residues from the drum, hoses, and detergent compartment. In short: A clean hide deserves a clean machine.
Alternative step-by-step guide: Washing a hide by hand
- Prepare a tub or large bowl with lukewarm water (approx. 30°C).
➤ CAUTION: No hot water. - Dissolve about 25 ml of mild wool detergent (equivalent to about half a bluu laundry strip) in one liter of boiling water and let it cool to 30°C.
- Lay the sheepskin flat and immediately apply the soapy solution to the wool side with a soft cloth, brush, or your hands.
➤ Gently work the detergent in, do not rub or knead, and keep the leather side dry. - Remove any soap residue with several clean, damp cloths until no more foam is visible.
- Gently shake out the hide (do not wring it) and then also let it dry in a well-ventilated spot on a drying rack or flat on a clean towel with the wool side facing down. Gently reshape it a few times, as leather cannot be reshaped once it is dry.
These 5 mistakes when washing sheepskin will destroy the hide:
- Temperatures over 30°C permanently destroy the lanolin structure and harden the leather
- Regular detergent or fabric softener attacks fibers and leather
- Excessive spinning irreversibly mats the wool
- Never use a dryer or heater, as they will make the leather hard and brittle
- Drying in the sun discolors colored hides and makes leather brittle
After cleaning: How to get your hide fluffy again
Once the sheepskin is completely dry, you can gently loosen the fibers several times with a hide brush. This will remove matting and restore the fluffiness.
If the hide has become stiff after gentle sheepskin washing, you can often revive it with regular brushing and air. This often happens if the leather dried too quickly or was exposed to too much heat. A stiff lambskin is rarely ruined forever, and with a little patience and the right care, you can often make it noticeably softer again. You can also use special lanolin spray to replace the natural oils lost through use or cleaning.
It is important to be patient now:
- Knead and massage the completely dry hide gently with both hands, as this will make the leather a little softer again.
- You can also apply a thin layer of leather fat or lanolin spray to the leather side and let it soak in.
- Then let the hide continue to dry and rest in a well-ventilated spot, and knead it a few more times in between.
- If the leather remains stiff despite several attempts, a professional cleaner or saddler can help to treat the material professionally.
Storing sheepskin correctly for long-lasting, cozy soft quality
Finally, proper storage of a sheepskin also plays a key role in ensuring it brings you long enjoyment and stays soft and shape-stable for a long time.
Follow these tips and simple habits to keep your sheepskin permanently cared for and protected:
- Store as flat as possible or hang it over a wide rod, as rolled up or tightly folded hides will create pressure marks on the leather side.
- Protect against insect infestation, as moths and other pests target natural fibers, especially during long-term storage. Store the hide in a breathable bag or with lavender.
- Avoid direct sunlight both when using it as a decorative piece and as a rug, as UV rays fade colors and make leather brittle.
- Do not place heavy objects on it, as frequent, intense creasing damages the leather structure.
FINAL GUIDE TO CLEANING SHEEPSKIN: Genuine sheepskin needs no elaborate care, just the right know-how
As you now know, caring for and washing a sheepskin is generally completely straightforward, as long as you know three key things: which tanning type you have, which method is right for it, and what to watch out for when drying. Anyone who keeps this in mind will enjoy their hide for many years.
And for the washing machine, it holds that vegetable-tanned or medicine-tanned hides can be washed well at 30°C on the wool cycle with mild detergent.
For everything else: Always rely on gentle care and, in addition, products like those from bluu, which offer you sustainable and effective support as eco-friendly laundry solutions for wool, delicate fabrics, and more.
Explore more smart TIPS & LAUNDRY SOLUTIONS
FAQ about washing and cleaning sheepskin
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01Can you wash a sheepskin in the washing machine?
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02How often should you wash a sheepskin?
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03How can you clean a sheepskin without washing it?
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04Why does a sheepskin become stiff after washing?
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05Which detergent is best for sheepskin?
