Kaiser Lambskin Mattress Cover

Naturally thermostatic, sheepskin won’t only keep your baby cosy in winter but will also keep them cool in summer. In the winter and cooler months, the sheepskin provides warmth as the fibres capture and retain heat created by the body. On warmer days, the wool allows a flow of air next to the body and absorbs moisture keeping your child feeling cool and comfortable.

Kind on sensitive skin, sheepskin has naturally occuring lanolin in the fleece which is a natural moisturiser, so helps sooth and comfort baby's skin. Our shorn hair lambskins from all our suppliers are medically tanned and all our long hair rugs are eco-tanned, meaning they are free from any harmful chemicals to keep baby safe.

Sheepskin is naturally self cleaning, lanolin is packed with self-cleaning properties if left to hang in the air. This makes it a natural dirt repellent and has anti-bacterial properties, reducing the need for harsh chemical cleaning products. 

Helping baby sleep, offering extra comfort and support due to its breathable qualities and gentle textures. Dense wool fibres ensure that lambskins absorb pressure without flattening, and many parents have found that their babies manage to get more rest as a result! 

Anti-bacterial qualities of sheepskin reduce instances of germs and illness and resist soiling, but further research in Germany has indicated that the microbes found in lambskin can also boost the immune system and reduce chances of developing asthma later in life.

Kaiser's lamb / sheepskins come mainly from Germany and other European countries. The sheep do not come from factory farming in stables, but live in herds with their shepherds on the pastures and are used to care for the dikes on the North Sea coast.

They pay very close attention to the fact that their suppliers adhere to European legislation and, for example, do not coupe the animals (removal of the tail) as is customary in Australia and New Zealand.

For a sustainable production chain, the lamb / sheepskins are tanned in their subsidiary in Poland and processed in Germany.

Sheep are farm animals; they have been bred for meat and milk production for many thousands of years. Even today they live freely in herds on large pastures. Sheep therefore do not have to die because of their fur: Millions of pelts that are produced each year are a natural by-product of meat production, which are further processed and refined.

Most of the skins are not processed as fur, but go into the leather industry. Only selected raw hides are suitable for processing high-quality lambskin / sheepskin products.

By its very nature sheepskin has self-cleaning properties - welcome news to busy parents! But if it is needed, there are a number of ways to wash your sheepskin.

Brush and air regularly - this will help keep your sheepskin smelling fresh and will remove the majority of stains and spills once they have dried. Use a stiff, wire brush which is specifically for use with lambskin fleeces - the wires are angled to reach deep into the fibres and loosen any spills and debris.

Remove light spills with a damp cloth, this is a much better option than washing regularly. If you wish you can use a small amount of specialist shampoo and a damp sponge. Rinsing and blotting a small amount of the fleece is a much easier option than a full wash - and no-one is washing for the fun of it!

Washing your sheepskin:

1.  There are a number of options that different suppliers give for washing sheepskin including a cool hand wash, gentle machine wash on a wool cycle (no higher than 30°C) or professionally dry cleaned. If you intend to wash the sheepskin yourself we always recommend a cool hand wash as best - not the easiest but definitely the most gentle option for the lambskin. 

2.  Always use a specialist wool shampoo containing lanolin - this will help maintain the fleece and replace the natural lanolin that is in the skin.  

3.  Do not spin or tumble dry - this action will pull the natural fibres together making the skin dense and stiff, not something you want from a super soft fleece!

4. Gently wring the water out of the sheepskin by hand and hang it over the side of the bath until it no longer drips water. Most of the water will drip to the bottom of the fleece and you should be able to wring more moisture out.

5.  Air dry flat - do not leave the sheepskin in direct sunlight or use any form of heat.  Air drying can take up to around 5 days - its a slow process but the cooler the room and the slower the drying process, the better the results. Speeding up this process will shrink the leather and this draws the fibres closer together and the fleece loses its softness.

6.  While drying the skin should be stretched periodically back to shape. It is a good idea during and after drying to 'work' the leather. This will maintain its supple feel and can be done by pulling the leather back and forth across a hard surface (the corner of a worktop or table works well).

7.  Remember to give your sheepskin a good brush once it is dry to loosen up the fibres - press deep into the fleece and use a wire brush.

PLEASE NOTE: The leather may harden slightly following the washing process but following use will return to its normal softness. The more it is 'worked' and used the softer it will become again.

Our Sheepskin does not need to be washed before use.