sheepskins - how to keep them fluffy when washed

[Likeasow]

We have three sheepskin now in the family and they are so lovely and fluffy when you buy them - how to keep them like that or get the older ones to go fluffy again? have the special (and expensive!) lambskin wash stuff - not enough though...need to brush? what kind of brush? thanks for any tips out there

Brush brush brush!
Any kind will do.

As lyra says, brushing! I used to use a soft child brush on my old one. But then I got sick of the weekly brushing as it got older and more matted anytime anyoe walked on it. It got to the stage where you had to backcomb every little section the brush it out again to get all the fuzz and random dirt out of it.

agree, it's the brushing which makes them fluffy again.

And don't dry them in direct heat (sun or too near/over a radiator)

I wonder if a pet brush would be a good idea?

I used a teazel brush on ours. Took a while, but made a fab job. Try looking on the craft websites - these are brushes used by crafters when making soft toys etc.

Add Glycerine to the cycle instead of fabric condiditioner, that's what i was told. I thought it was to keep the underside bit from going all hard and cracky, but it might help the fleecey side too

Ooh you lovely ladies - many thanks - will try the teasel brush and Glycerine -