Have I ruined my sheepskin :(

[LaTook]

I washed it-as per instructions 30 degrees with woolite left to dry and the leather has gone rock solid

Any ideas on what I can do?

Really want to try to avoid buying expensive wool cleaners, I was only cleaning it to give to a friend who is having a baby but now it's useless

I'm gutted as I'm sure they can last years but it seems as though I've ruined mine

happened to mine too, very dissappointing; but it sort of relaxed a bit over time. never quite the same again, but still useable.

What a shame. Did you use fabric softener? Apparently that can cause this. It should relax over time. If you sort of roll it up then unroll it and roll it the other way a few times it might soften.

Mine did this too, I was gutted. It ended up making a lovely dog bed.

It will soften again if it is pummelled. Try stamping all over it with trainers or actually bashing it all over with something really solid. It will soften again.

Oh thanks for all your replies guys. No I didn't use softener that's why I'm really gutted because I read all the instructions and took care to do it right

:( for moodykat but :) moodykat's dog

try rewashing it and put glycerine in the conditioner drawer, pummel it up when wet etc

Happened to dd's too, despite me washing it as per instructions. I hate the bloody thing, creates lots of dust and is matted and horrible. Would have looked much nicer when worn by it's owner Jacob Sheep. Might was it again tomorrow.

ffs wash

problems posting with broadband.

Try rewashing or just soaking with some glycerine in the rinse, dry outside if possible then a dog brush will raise the wool again.

yes brush through whilst damp/wet I just use a normal hairbrush with the spikes and the blobs on the end.

Thanks again for more replies

I did buy a dog brush and that's how I was originally cleaning it and it was coming up fine! Grrrr why didn't I just keep doing that so annoyed with myself!

Anyway will try the glycerine, do I buy that from the baking aisle?

Yes, glycerine from the baking aisle - add about a tablespoonful to the last rinse then dry the sheepskin away from direct heat - it might take a few days to dry completely.

Pummel the skin as it is drying and it should go soft.

Our local supermarket didn't stock glycerine. You can also get it from a pharmacist, although in our local Boots they keep it behind the counter.