Sheepskin coats are the most popular in winter, and after the end of the heating season, fur products are sent to closets and mezzanines. In order for the product to serve you for a long time, it needs careful care, and even if you do not observe any stains, you still need to refresh the outfit.

Housewives who want to save money prefer to clean things at home rather than go to dry cleaning, as this is a large expense item for the family budget. Is it possible to cope with this problem at home? If you decide to clean natural sheepskin at home, then you need to know a few secrets in order not to spoil it. Cleaning tanned leather products will be effective if done carefully and with knowledge of the process.
- The processing method (dry or wet) will depend on whether the sheepskin coat has a coating or not; coated products are easiest to clean.
- Under no circumstances should you wash your sheepskin coat in a washing machine.
- For suede and leather products, cleaning agents of various compositions are selected; be sure to remove the fur elements before cleaning so as not to spoil them.
Before cleaning the entire product, do a test on an inconspicuous area (usually an internal seam) to make sure that the cleaning agent is suitable and will not damage the item.
Cleaning methods
There are dry and wet methods.
Dry method:
- To remove fresh stains, use abrasive substances of natural origin: starch, semolina, they will not change the color of the product, but will absorb moisture quite well.Lay the sheepskin coat on a horizontal surface, determine where the dirt is and sprinkle semolina on top, start rubbing the grain into the stains, after it darkens, shake it off and start all over again, repeat the process until the semolina stops changing color. Starch can be used in the same way;
- An eraser soaked in kerosene will perfectly remove non-greasy stains; it is easier to deal with fresh than old stains; after the procedure, some time is needed for ventilation;
- Using a vacuum cleaner, it is quite easy to get rid of dust; to do this, you need to use a brush with soft bristles; first clean dried dirt stains with a hard brush;
- a special brush for suede is useful; it can easily be used to clean particularly greasy areas on the collar and sleeves, as well as on pockets; to make cleaning more effective, use dry tooth powder with the addition of ammonia;
- for very small areas of minor dirt, use adhesive tape: you need to stick it to the spot, lightly stroke the top with your hand and peel off the tape with one jerk;
- You can use fine-grained sandpaper; you need to rub it very carefully; first, practice on the wrong side by wrapping the sandpaper on a matchbox or wooden block.
Do not use water to clean tanned leather clothing, as areas in contact with water may crack and wrinkle, the cover may lose elasticity, become hard and brittle, or shrink.
If you still cannot avoid getting wet, hang the sheepskin coat on hangers and wait for the wet spots to dry completely, periodically kneading them with your hands to avoid creases and bends.Never place a sheepskin coat near heating devices, as this may cause the product to become deformed.
Wet method:
- For effective cleaning of old grease and dirt stains, use a piece of suede cloth soaked in a soap solution with the addition of ammonia and borax, change the cloth periodically, after the procedure, blot the cleaning area with a paper towel;
- Use a bandage soaked in kerosene or gasoline, and although this method is not very pleasant for our sense of smell, it will help to cope with old and difficult to remove stains. Do not forget to air the outfit in the fresh air. This method is not used when cleaning light-colored sheepskin coats;
- Mix one part of ammonia in four parts of water, soak a soft cloth in this solution and wipe the dirt on the sheepskin coat, after the procedure, wipe the cleaned areas with a cloth soaked in clean water. 5 ways to tidy up your sofa yourself
And what to do with suede sheepskin coats
Suede products require more delicate care than leather products. A large amount of moisture is unacceptable for a suede sheepskin coat, as this will ruin it. The problem with such things is that the sleeves, collar and area near the pockets begin to shine after some time of wear. In order to restore these places to their original appearance, use semolina, or starch, or dry tooth powder and a brush. Rub the problem area carefully and gently.
Another good way is to clean with bread crumbs; it is better to use black bread for this.
White sheepskin coat
A white sheepskin coat will be a special decoration for a woman; such a thing looks more than chic on its owner, but it also requires especially delicate care. Even the smallest stains will be visible on it from afar, so it is better not to delay cleaning, but to clean the stains immediately, as they arise.
- Clean this sheepskin coat daily from accumulated dust using a brush.
- Ordinary bleach will help restore the original whiteness.
- It will help in cleaning - water with the addition of ammonia and hydrogen peroxide: soak a cotton swab in the solution and wipe the dirty areas, change cotton pads as necessary.
- Dissolve a teaspoon of soda in a glass of milk, heat the mixture slightly, soak a gauze cloth in it, wipe the stains, and then wipe with gauze soaked in a vinegar solution.
After all manipulations, dry the product thoroughly, kneading particularly wet areas to avoid creases and shrinkage. The fur must be cleaned separately, with a soapy solution, and then combed out with a brush dipped in water with the addition of fish oil.
General recommendations
- Fresh stains are easiest to clean, so don’t put off cleaning until “later”, but get down to business immediately when you come home from the street.
- If the stain is old, apply a piece of cloth soaked in water to soften it a little.
- Do not use salt in cleaning under any circumstances: it will easily scratch delicate suede or leather and will not get rid of stains.
- To clean sheepskin coats, you can use purchased professional products.
- Whatever product you choose, be sure to test it on an inconspicuous area of the item before cleaning.
- Any sheepskin coat is afraid of water: do not let it get too wet.
- After each cleaning, do not be lazy to coat the product with special water-repellent agents; they will help extend the life of the product and create a protective layer from dust and dirt.
- It is necessary to dry the sheepskin coat vertically on hangers, away from radiators and fireplaces, preferably in the fresh air.
Whichever method you choose, remember the basic rules for caring for products made from natural suede or leather, and then your outfit will delight you with its dazzling condition for a long time.
I removed dirty stains from a suede sheepskin coat with kerosene, then wiped it with water. After drying, the pile stuck together and became smooth. I couldn’t find any special brushes for sale. Is it possible to blow hot air from a hair dryer onto dry suede to comb out the lint? I heard that dry cleaners use this method to soften fuel oil stains and remove them. Thanks in advance for your response.