Fur Care: How to Properly Care for Your Sheepskin
A sheepskin adds warmth to a room, whether placed on a chair, an armchair, or a sofa. Our vegetable-tanned Swiss sheepskins require surprisingly little care. Wool is naturally durable and does not need to be washed. A little fresh air, regular shaking out, and—depending on the type of sheepskin—a gentle brush are usually enough to keep your sheepskin looking beautiful for a long time.
The following care instructions apply to our vegetable-tanned Swiss sheepskins. Other sheepskins may require different care depending on their tanning and processing methods.
Sheepskin Brush, CHF 25.00
Regular, gentle brushing refreshes the coat, removes mats, and preserves its natural texture. Our Ashford sheepskin brush from New Zealand is particularly well-suited for sheepskins with straight hair. Measuring 22 × 10 cm, it fits comfortably in your hand.
Caring for Sheepskin in Three Steps
1 Shake it out
It's best to shake out your sheepskin vigorously outdoors. This removes dust and loose dirt, and the wool becomes fluffy again.
2. Ventilation
Hang the blanket out in the fresh air regularly to air it out, preferably in the shade. Sheep's wool is naturally durable and absorbs odors only slowly. Therefore, frequent washing is not necessary.
3. Brushing & Suction
You can gently brush smooth-haired coats with a coat brush in the direction of hair growth. This refreshes the wool and preserves its natural texture. You should not brush curly-haired coats so that the curl pattern is preserved. Instead, you can carefully vacuum them on a low setting.
Tip: Tip: When a new coat grows in, a few loose hairs may fall out at first. This is normal and will decrease over time.
Everyday Sheepskin Care
How often should you care for a sheepskin?
Shaking out and airing out the fur is always good for it. How often you brush or vacuum it depends on how much it’s used: A fur throw on a chair or armchair needs a little more attention than one that’s mainly used for decoration. There’s no set schedule for grooming; it’s best to care for the fur when it needs a refresh.
What You Should Avoid
You should not wash our vegetable-tanned sheepskins in the washing machine. Water and the mechanical agitation can alter the leather’s texture and cause it to become hard or brittle. Also, avoid using household cleaners, sprays, and fabric softeners.
When drying the fur, you should not expose it to direct heat—so don't place it on a heater or dry it with a hair dryer. You should not brush fur with curly hair, as this can stretch out the natural curl.
A little care, a lifetime of warmth. ♡
Swiss sheepskin: vegetable-tanned in the Emmental
Today, the majority of Swiss sheep and lamb hides are discarded, while sheep hides are imported from New Zealand and Australia. We process sheepskins and add value to this local resource. The skins are tanned using mimosa, a tanning agent derived from acacia bark, which gives the leather side a natural brownish hue. The vegetable tanning process does not use chromium and takes place at one of Switzerland’s last remaining tanneries, where traditional craftsmanship and knowledge are preserved.
How to Care for Sheepskin Properly—Frequently Asked Questions
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Our vegetable-tanned Swiss sheepskins should not be washed. Water and the mechanical action of washing can alter the leather’s texture and cause it to become hard or brittle. As a rule, shaking out the skin, airing it out, and—depending on the type of skin—gently brushing or vacuuming it are sufficient.
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For small, fresh stains, first wipe them off gently with a dry cloth or shake them out as carefully as possible. Do not rub, and do not soak the fur. Depending on the type of fur, you can then gently brush the fur or vacuum it on a low setting.
If you have stubborn or difficult-to-remove stains, you can bring the fur to us. We'll be happy to take a look at it and advise you on the best cleaning and care options.
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Yes. The fur brush is also suitable for lambskin pillows and fur collars with straight hair. Always brush gently and in the direction of growth, without applying pressure.
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Gently blot up liquids as soon as possible with an absorbent cloth. Do not rub, and do not soak the fur. Carefully remove solid stains, such as food residue, without working them into the wool. Then let the fur dry completely at room temperature.
If the fur is heavily soiled, it can be washed by hand with lukewarm water and a mild wool detergent. Do not soak or wring it out. Then gently squeeze out the excess water and let it dry flat at room temperature. Avoid direct heat and sunlight.
If you're unsure, you can also bring the fur to us—we'll be happy to take a look at it and give you some advice.
Do you have any other questions? Write to us at hallo@marai.ch. We look forward to hearing from you and are happy to help.
With a little care, fur will last for many years. Discover our sheepskins, fur pillows, and fur collars—all natural and vegetable-tanned.