Brand new sheepskin feels like heaven to touch - soft, cosy and fluffy. And the really good news? It's one of the easiest materials to look after. A quick brush here, a bit of fresh air there - that's genuinely all most sheepskin needs.
Merino sheepskin like ours is a luxury material, but you won't need to fuss over it. This guide covers the simple day-to-day habits that keep your sheepskin looking and feeling its best - and what to do when it starts to look a bit flat or loses that gorgeous fluff.
Brush your sheepskin regularly - it's the simplest thing you can do to keep it fluffy
A wire sheepskin brush is your best friend when it comes to keeping sheepskin soft and fluffy. The angled metal bristles reach down into the dense pile, lifting the fibres back up and removing dust, dried debris and the flatness that comes from regular use.
A quick brush every week or two is all it takes - and always after any spot clean or full wash. It takes about thirty seconds and makes a noticeable difference.
The dense pile of sheepskin means a surprising amount of dirt can simply be brushed away, helping you avoid a full wash altogether.
A quick brush every week or two is all it takes - and always after any spot clean or full wash. It takes about thirty seconds and makes a noticeable difference. The dense pile of sheepskin means a surprising amount of dirt can simply be brushed away, helping you avoid a full wash and the risk of the leather shrinking.
When brushing, go with the direction of the fleece first, then gently against it to lift the pile. If your sheepskin has gone flat in one area from pressure - a baby's head resting in the same spot, for example - a few passes with the brush will bring it back beautifully.
Browse our sheepskin brush and care set.
Give it some fresh air
One of the loveliest things about sheepskin is that it very rarely needs a full wash. To keep the fluffy feeling, airing it outside on a cool, dry day naturally freshens the fibres, removes odours and helps restore a little of that just-new softness. It's one of those small things that makes a real difference over time.
Sheepskin very rarely needs a full wash - a cool shaded spot outside and a little fresh air is often all it needs.
Direct sunlight is worth avoiding though. Heat and UV dry out the natural lanolin in the leather, which leads to stiffness and dullness over time. A shaded spot outside or a cool room with a little airflow is all you need.
Use the right shampoo when it does need a wash
If you do need to wash your sheepskin, the shampoo you use has a direct impact on how fluffy it stays afterwards.
If it does need a wash, always use a specialist sheepskin shampoo that contains lanolin and is enzyme-free. Over time, a standard wool wash or laundry detergent strips, makes the fleece progressively rougher and less soft.
A standard wool wash or laundry detergent strips the natural lanolin from the fibres without replacing it - over time that makes the fleece progressively rougher and less soft. Always use a specialist sheepskin shampoo that contains lanolin and is enzyme-free.
For the full washing guide, head to our how to wash a sheepskin pram liner post.
How to bring the fluff back after washing
If your sheepskin comes out of a wash feeling a little flat or stiff, don't worry - it's completely normal and very fixable.
While it's still slightly damp, gently reshape it with your hands and stretch the leather back out. As it dries in a cool room, come back to it occasionally and gently flex and work the leather to keep it supple.
Once fully dry, if the leather still feels a little rigid, try working the back of it over the corner of a table or worktop with a gentle back-and-forth motion. Then give the fleece a thorough brush to lift all those fibres back up. It'll come back soft and fluffy - good as new.
Never dry sheepskin near heat. No radiators, no sunny windowsills, no tumble dryers. Heat shrinks the leather, pulls the fibres tight, and turns something beautifully fluffy into something rough and matted. Cool, slow, natural drying every single time.
A simple routine to keep your sheepskin fluffy
- Brush every week or two - thirty seconds is all it takes
- Air outside on a cool, shaded day when it needs freshening
- Always use a lanolin sheepskin shampoo - never a standard wool wash
- Dry slowly in a cool room, away from all heat
- Work the leather gently while damp, then brush thoroughly once dry
Our sheepskin care set has everything you need in one place.
