In any case, during wearing, they are all exposed to negative effects from travel in transport, precipitation, low temperature, dust, and friction. These factors spoil the appearance and shorten the service life. To counter this, you need to take care of your sheepskin coat.
To choose the right cleaning method and products, it is important to determine the type of material. You should start by studying the manufacturer's label.
Choosing a cleaning method
Methods for cleaning a sheepskin coat directly depend on the material from which it is made:
- Made of suede - this delicate material requires careful dry cleaning. Be very careful with the surface of the sheepskin coat so as not to damage it or allow dirt to penetrate very deeply;
- Made of leather - in this case, not only dry but also wet cleaning is available;
- Laser-coated - thanks to natural resins that repel water and dirt, the surface of such a sheepskin coat practically does not get dirty. If you manage to create a dirty stain, choose the wet method.
Features of care
The artificial material used to make outerwear is more unpretentious than natural material. Modern manufacturers produce products that are not afraid of moisture and withstand the cleaning process well. Thanks to the characteristics of the material, an artificial sheepskin coat can be washed without much difficulty at home.
In order to find out whether the product can be washed in a washing machine or only hand washing is possible, pay attention to the label with the instructions of the manufacturer. On it you will find information on how to care for a sheepskin coat: type of cleaning, temperature conditions, spin capabilities, etc.
Before you start washing your product, carefully read the instructions on the label. Otherwise you risk ruining it!
The manufacturer may specify three types of cleaning for sheepskin coats made of artificial material:
- hand washing;
- machine wash (with or without spin);
- dry cleaning.
If machine washing of artificial outerwear is allowed, check whether it can be spun in a centrifuge. If machine spinning is possible, it is performed only at low speeds.
If the manufacturer prohibits washing this item in a washing machine, you can quite easily wash the item by hand at home. To do this, you need to follow simple rules for cleaning the product.
It is usually recommended to wash items made of artificial material at a temperature of no more than 30 degrees so that the coating does not deform. To wash at home, use special low-foaming detergents for leather or suede. As a rule, they come in the form of a gel or liquid.
Do not use regular washing powder for washing! It can leave streaks on the surface of the sheepskin coat. Also, do not use bleaches or chlorine-containing products to clean artificial products.
If you cannot find a special skin cleanser, you can use another product. This can be any mild detergent, such as liquid soap.
It is impossible to soak an artificial sheepskin coat before washing, as this will lead to its deformation. If there are small stains on the item, you can try to remove them locally so as not to wash the entire item.
Cleaning a sheepskin coat
How to clean a sheepskin coat? Popular experts recommend using the following recipes.
Starch
We follow the same principle - distribute the starch over the sheepskin coat and rub it in lightly. Starch is also useful for dark skin colors - it does not lighten it.
Semolina
To clean stains on a sheepskin coat, you need to sprinkle them with semolina and rub them a little. The grains absorb moisture and absorb dirt, as well as greasy marks. This product is suitable not only for light, but also for dark sheepskin coats.
Bread crusts
Both natural and artificial sheepskin coats can be cleaned with a bread crust. Simply rub it over the stain and remove any crumbs with a soft-bristled brush.
Rubber
A very interesting method. Throw a small piece of rubber into a container with kerosene and leave it for the whole day. Wet the stain a little. Rub the soaked rubber onto the contaminated area several times. This is ideal for non-greasy stains.
Tooth powder or ammonia
If your sheepskin coat does not have very noticeable stains, but needs to be refreshed, use an ammonia alcohol solution or tooth powder diluted with water to form a paste. You can treat the entire product or lubricate only worn areas with the solution - pockets, sleeve cuffs, shoulders and collar. After applying the product, clean the sheepskin coat with a brush.
Kerosene or gasoline
To clean a natural sheepskin coat covered with old stains, soak a gauze cloth in any of these products and thoroughly rub the stained areas. Be sure to dry the product in the fresh air so that the smell of kerosene disappears completely.
Concentrated solution for grease stains
Has a grease stain appeared on your favorite sheepskin coat after going to fast food? Prepare the solution according to the following recipe:
- Laundry soap – 100 grams;
- Glycerin – 1 tablespoon;
- Warm water – 0.5 liters;
- Ammonia – 1 tablespoon.
Application:
- Grate the soap.
- Combine the shavings with water.
- Add glycerin and ammonia.
- Apply this mixture to a cotton rag or kitchen sponge.
- Thoroughly treat contaminated areas by rubbing this solution into the skin. During processing, do not forget to rinse the sponge with clean water.
- At the end of cleaning, dilute it in 200 g. a tablespoon of ammonia and walk this mixture over the soapy areas. This will remove any remaining cleaning product and restore the color of the sheepskin coat.
Important! All cleaning methods are suitable for light sheepskin coats, except gasoline and kerosene.
Cleaning in a washing machine
When producing sheepskin coats, the material at the factory is treated with tanning agents to increase wear resistance and softness, and washing can completely destroy this structure, which means destroying winter clothes without the possibility of restoring quality. However, this rule applies only to natural ingredients.
Care instructions are located on the inside label of the product and it is important to pay close attention to this issue:
- for hand washing, you will first have to clean the suede from foreign debris in the form of dust, threads and fluff using a vacuum cleaner or a special brush. Next, dilute a soap solution based on the cleaning agent in a medium container, lay the item on a flat, hard surface and begin wiping it with a sponge in smooth and consistent movements from top to bottom. It is important to control movements so as not to leave abrasions, because it is impossible to get rid of them, and to remove the solution well from the surface to avoid streaks and soap residues;
- drying occurs naturally at room temperature without special heating devices (fan, air conditioner, battery, heater) or bright sunlight. The product must be placed on a wide plastic hanger, where the hangers and sleeves will be in the correct position;
- With a washing machine everything is much simpler, you just need to follow the recommendations indicated on the product label.
How to clean a suede sheepskin coat?
A suede sheepskin coat needs to be cleaned carefully and more often than a leather item, because dust is noticeable on it. Buy an aerosol or spray for suede and a special brush at the store. It can be made of different materials - rubber, brass or hard hair. An alternative to such brushes is fine-grit sandpaper. As for sprays or aerosols, they can also be replaced with what is available in any kitchen.
Salt
Salt is great for small stains - sprinkle it on the dirty area and rub thoroughly. The main thing is not to press the material too hard, otherwise it may deteriorate.
Sackcloth
Soak burlap or any other rough material in gasoline. This “brush” can be used to clean old and greasy stains.
Flour and talc
Fresh stains on a sheepskin coat can be removed with flour or baby powder. Sprinkle any of these two products onto the dirty area and leave it for 4 hours. Shake off the powder and sprinkle again. Repeat the procedure at least 5 times.
What you need to know about sheepskin coats
Natural clothing is usually made from sheep fur and leather. But today the range of sheepskin coats is very large. There are things made from heavy, soft and light skins, artificial, suede and even laser-coated. Each product provides an individual cleaning option, and this will have to be taken into account.
Italian sheepskin coats made from doubleface - fur velor - get dirty faster than others; they are well-made uncoated leather, not particularly practical. The same material with a coating, which is achieved by impregnating it with special natural resins, is more preferable, since it lasts longer due to such protection. You need to be very careful when cleaning these things at home.
Some useful tips will help you clean correctly and not spoil the item:
- Before cleansing, you should always familiarize yourself with the wearing requirements and the main characteristics indicated on the label;
- Machine washing is not suitable for any sheepskin coat - it will be impossible to restore the item after this;
- Natural suede clothing cannot be washed because it shrinks and loses color and shape;
- It is recommended to store sheepskin coats in cases made of natural fabric, such as cotton; you can place moth repellent inside in the form of balls or plates, or a paper napkin moistened with lavender oil;
- After wet cleaning, you can dry the item only in the open air or in the room, naturally, by hanging it on hangers;
- Cleaning products should be tested on a small spot and, if the result is satisfactory, can be applied to the entire item.
For the most part, dirt on sheepskin coats is located in the area of the collar, sleeves, pockets, and near the fasteners. The bottom of the hem of clothing is also susceptible to stains, which can also retain dirty splashes during wet weather.
By the way, in general, it is undesirable to wear such a thing as a sheepskin coat during rain; it does not tolerate any moisture well. After all, these clothes are intended only for frosty days.
Cleaning the fur on a sheepskin coat
The most common means will also help you with this:
- Sand or wheat bran - heat some of them in a frying pan, apply to the collar and give a light massage. Using a stiff bristle brush, remove any remaining sand or bran from the pile;
- Vinegar, ethyl alcohol and water - mix them in equal proportions, apply to the fur with a sponge and wipe with a clean cloth. This method is only useful for faux fur;
- Shampoo for bathing cats - dilute it in warm water and whip into a thick foam. Apply to the fur with a sponge and leave for a few minutes. Rinse off the foam with clean water, being careful not to wet the sheepskin coat;
- Lemon juice – saturate a sponge with squeezed lemon juice and rub it all over the fur. Then comb with a comb.
How to clean a white sheepskin coat?
A light-colored item must be cleaned daily, otherwise it will lose its original appearance. But you definitely don’t want to take it to the dry cleaner! And there is no need, because you can restore the freshness of the shade at home.
Ammonia, water or ammonia and hydrogen peroxide
- Mix 1 teaspoon of ammonia with the same amount of water or 3% hydrogen peroxide.
- Clean the sheepskin coat from dust and dirt.
- Soak the swab in the solution and walk over the entire surface of the sheepskin coat.
- Rinse off any remaining product with a cloth soaked in clean water.
- Dry the product completely.
Milk and soda
- Combine a glass of milk and a teaspoon of soda.
- Rub the sheepskin coat with the warm solution.
- A gauze cloth soaked in a vinegar solution will help remove any remaining product.
- Dry the sheepskin coat at room temperature.
Hydrogen peroxide
Simple hydrogen peroxide will help with single yellow spots. Dissolve a teaspoon in 200 ml of water and thoroughly wipe the stains.
On your own
Doing home cleaning yourself will allow you to save a lot of money. This alternative to chemical professional cleaning has its disadvantages: less efficiency; a lot of time spent on preparation and cleansing; high probability of product damage.
Even if you are obviously preferable and even ready to dry-clean your sheepskin coat, you may encounter a refusal, since not all models can be subject to such influence. You can find out about this from the label on the clothing. The procedure also takes a lot of time and not everyone decides to take this kind of order.
You may have to first look for a dry cleaner where they will gladly undertake not only the obligation to put the item in order in a quality manner and on time, but will also accept the risk associated with damage. Keep in mind that the cost of 2,500 rubles and above is determined by the specific establishment. Trust the professionals or clean it yourself – decide for yourself!
A few more tips
- After placing a stain on a sheepskin coat, clean it immediately;
- Before using any cleaning product, test it inside in some inconspicuous place (for example, on the inside of a seam). Wait until the solution dries, study its effect on the material and make sure that it does not damage your item;
- Dry the sheepskin coat naturally by hanging it on hangers in a well-ventilated area. A hair dryer or hot battery is not suitable for these purposes;
- You need to store your sheepskin coat in the off-season in a textile case;
- The fur decor of the product will have to be cleaned separately;
- Moisture is the main enemy of sheepskin coats. Try to keep water away from the surface. If this happens, dry the product well, and then knead this area with your hands so that it does not harden;
- If the leather sheepskin coat has lost its gloss and shine, wipe it with glycerin;
- When you take out an item after long-term storage, vacuum it with the softest attachment;
- The sheepskin coat cannot be washed!
Using these wisdom, you will preserve the beautiful appearance of your sheepskin coat for a long time.
Machine washable
In the case where the manufacturer allows you to wash an artificial sheepskin coat in a washing machine, doing this at home will be very simple. Before loading the item into the drum, clean the pockets of foreign objects and remove decorative elements (brooches, pins, etc.) from the surface.
Pour liquid detergent or gel into the powder compartment. Set the regulator to delicate mode (or manual) and turn on the machine. The washing temperature is set to 30 degrees. If machine spinning is allowed, do it at low speed.
If the manufacturer does not recommend spinning the item in a centrifuge, remove the sheepskin coat from the drum at the end of washing and gently wring it out by hand. Hang the product on a hanger and let the water drain. After this, remove excess moisture with a large terry towel.
Under no circumstances should you squeeze the item by twisting it. You may damage the coating of the sheepskin coat.
