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Cleaning Up:  Can I wash a sheep skin pelt???  |
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podsandpetals
True Blue Farmgirl
57 Posts
Cindy
Genoa
NY
USA
57 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 12 2010 : 7:14:24 PM
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I have a sheep's pelt which the kids left outside in their playhouse. The cats have been enjoying sleeping on it, and now it needs a really good cleaning. A lady at market said she throws hers in the washing machine! Is this true??? Can I wash it or is it ruined? Anybody know? -Cindy
Check out "Support a farm girl night" http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=38448
www.podsandpetals.etsy.com
ebay seller podsandpetals |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22937 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22937 Posts |
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podsandpetals
True Blue Farmgirl
57 Posts
Cindy
Genoa
NY
USA
57 Posts |
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vegetarian farmer
True Blue Farmgirl
249 Posts
Jane
Freedom
pa
USA
249 Posts |
Posted - Mar 13 2010 : 05:42:49 AM
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I worked as an equestrian therapist for severly mentally retarded adults. No one could use a saddle so everyone rode on a sheepskin. Needless to say that sheep skin got peed on, spit on, and a few other body fluids. We would send the sheep skin to the laundry dept and they did wash in the commercial washers. I know it was put in a mesh bag, other than that not sure what they used. They never dried it of course. I am sure it did not look as it did the first day but the point is it can be done. If we needed a quick clean we would use a sponge and horse wash, then dry outside. Maybe try the hand wash first.
Jane
http://hardworkhomestead.blogspot.com/ |
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Pammy
True Blue Farmgirl
66 Posts
Michigan
USA
66 Posts |
Posted - Mar 13 2010 : 06:08:48 AM
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| I have one and wash it in my washer on the delicate cycle in cold water. I air dry it, usually outside. Pam |
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Karrieann
True Blue Farmgirl
1900 Posts
Karrieann
Northeast
Georgia
USA
1900 Posts |
Posted - Mar 13 2010 : 06:50:44 AM
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...years ago, My Mom and I washed one in the bathtub. It took the two of us to get it out of the tub.. it weighed really heavy. Then we air dried it outside. After it dried, we use one of those metal dog brush and carefully brushed the wool. It came out fluffy and soft again. If you are concerned about the leather back (underside) you can use leather softener, but we didn't.
Karrieann ~ Farmgirl Sister #766 (29 Sept 2009)
My Blog: ...following my heart, dreams and Jesus
...http://karrieann-followingmyheartandjesus.blogspot.com/
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Mar 13 2010 : 7:00:32 PM
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I am glad this topic was started. I have one to clean too..guess I will go at it soon. Right now I have it hung up in the garage waiting for the snowstorm to pass. My elderly basset peed on it. Not a huge spot but still. Jeesh! So...I thank you gals for your suggestions.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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podsandpetals
True Blue Farmgirl
57 Posts
Cindy
Genoa
NY
USA
57 Posts |
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Perennial
True Blue Farmgirl
85 Posts
Bea
Southwest Virginia
USA
85 Posts |
Posted - Mar 22 2010 : 09:27:57 AM
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I wash mine in my machine lots - but - I have a front loader
with no agitator - I would NOT do it in one with an agitator as it
will be much rougher on it. I don't treat it special, but do
hang it out and sometimes throw it in afteron air fluff so that
it fluffs a bit more. |
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bboopster
True Blue Farmgirl
1140 Posts
Betty Jo
West Bend
Wisconsin
USA
1140 Posts |
Posted - Mar 25 2010 : 11:42:25 AM
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I have instructions from a women who sells wool at our farmers market. http://www.timelessknits.com/html/about.html
Fill machine with warm water and liquid soap or detergent. Put sheep skin into machine and push down into water and soak for apx 1 hour. With hands reach into water and shake skin under water for a minute or two. Put machine on spin and spin off wash water. Refill machine with warm water and soak 1/2 hour, shake skin again. Spin off water and repeat procedure a third time. This time you can add a small amount of fabric softener or 1 cup of vinegar to eliminate soap residue. Remove hide from machine lay flat to dry. When almost dry put hide in dryer for 5 minutes on warm to fluff. Use dog flicker brush to brush it out to avoid matting.
I haven't tried it yet because I have a front loader, but since I see others with a front loader have tried it and it worked. I will be washing ours asap. 
http://www.bboopster.blogspot.com
Nana to 4 with 1 on the way.
3 Blue Star Mother and Proud of it!
Pray for our troops to come home safe and soon.
Enjoying the road to the simple life :>) |
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Cleaning Up: Can I wash a sheep skin pelt??? |
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Can I wash a sheep skin pelt???
