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Original poster

Anyone ever washed a sheepskin coat?

63 replies

fannybanjo · 17/09/2011 10:55

and it's come out ok??

I have a Joseph sheepskin coat which I've had for 5 years - it's look bit manky, I've been quoted £60 to dry clean it! What would happen if I put it on a hand wash cycle....?

OP posts:
MrsCampbellBlack · 17/09/2011 16:06

Thank goodness! I adore Joseph shearling - do you love it and wear it a lot?

Tethers and I would have set up a mn appeal if you'd carried on with washing machine talk Wink

Original poster
fannybanjo · 17/09/2011 16:11

MrsCampbell I wear it every Winter without fail - it's cream reversible one. Bloody gorgeous! Definitely worth the money (think it was around £800). It does need a clean though. Need to find a decent dry cleaners though.

OP posts:
Original poster
fannybanjo · 17/09/2011 16:15

The quote for £60 was from Johnsons the Cleaners - i wouldn't get them to clean something so specialist or does it not matter?

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NatureAbhorsAHoover · 17/09/2011 16:15

I've got an old sheepskin vest (don't ask - 70's costume party) and a bottle of this wool detergent which is great and which I use for all my woolens in the washing machine... happy to conduct scientific 'speriments to solve this deep mystery that grips us all!!

Will let you know how I go.

Original poster
fannybanjo · 17/09/2011 16:33
OP posts:
NatureAbhorsAHoover · 18/09/2011 18:26

Well, the sheepskin vest (see above) went through the wash cycle just fine... and came out smelling lovely and not like eau de mouton Grin

but it has dried very stiff ... so stiff I can't see how it will ever regain its original suppleness Sad

DH said sleep in it for a week like WW2 flying aces roughening up their regulation leather aviator jackets to look all worn-in and sexy Hmm

Awaiting peer review in academic journals of note, but for now my scientific conclusion would have to be DON'T PUT THOUSAND POUND JOSEPH COAT IN THE WASHING MACHINE.

pixma · 18/09/2011 18:34

Get small children with clean feet to jump repeatedly on the sheepskin vest or sit one evening and work the skin with your hands. Or place it between two towels on the sofa and sit on it for a week. It will become soft again.

If I had a £1000 coat, I would demand Alan Rickman or Darcy himself come and help me clean it.

NatureAbhorsAHoover · 18/09/2011 18:54

pixma better yet, put coat on between two towels on sofa and roll on it WITH Alan Rickman.

for a week

or two Grin

pixma · 18/09/2011 18:58

OhMyGod Shock Alan Rickman in a stiff sheepskin vest.

Now, let's rearrange the words of that sentence.....

Grin
bishboschone · 18/09/2011 19:22

Fannybanjo.. I have a lot of experience of this and I would honestly say if it isn't actually dirty don't do anything with it. I am a dry cleaner and leather and suede is a specialist process, that we used to send away. We have actually stopped doing it because I have never seen it done to a satisfactory standard. This is for 2 reasons , strangely it is an industry that is swamped by men and I honestly think they have a very slap dash approach to it and bung everything in( so sorry how this sounds but it's true ) . And secondly its a dead animal and the process is uses very strong chemicals , oils and dyes which in normal circumstances would never come into contact . It just doesn't work . I often advisepeople to enjoy their coats and when they can walk alone bin them . I often get raised eyebrows but honestly if you get it dry cleaned it probably will never be the same again and more than likely won't be any cleaner .

Original poster
fannybanjo · 21/09/2011 13:43

Nature thank you for your "experiment" and you will be glad to hear, I have refrained from washing mine. Your account of your sheepdog wash made me laugh out loud!

bish thank you so much for your advice, you DEFINITELY don't recommend me even getting it dry cleaned? It really could do with it and to be honest, I won't wear it again the way it is so it is a waste not to... It would look so much better just cleaner iykwim? !!!

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Original poster
fannybanjo · 21/09/2011 13:44

sheepdog wash? WTF?! meant sheepskin! Grin

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bishboschone · 21/09/2011 17:11

Well I have never seen one come back better than when it went . Obviously we have only tried about 20 of the many leather cleaners out there. The process is usually done only at your risk so there will be no comeback if it's no good. If you have the attitude that it's do or die you may well be happy with it. Where a bouts do you live? I thunk if I were you I would call Joseph head office and ask where they recommend , it may cost you nearer £100 but if they have had good results it would be worth it. It's a very strange industry ( something to do with money laundering ( excuse the pun) .

Original poster
fannybanjo · 21/09/2011 19:23

Thanks - I will give their head office a call - great advice. When you say it's a funny business, our local dry cleaner currently in prison for firearm offences!!

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Original poster
fannybanjo · 21/09/2011 19:24

I'm in Chester. Smile

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bishboschone · 21/09/2011 19:27

Lol... I might add I am fairly normal ..just something I sort of fell into .. Interesting to know how you get on. More money doesn't mean they do anything different ( the process is fairly standard) BUT the difference is how the machines and solvent is maintained. It's actually very easy to ruin stuff dry cleaning and experience and care is something worth paying for.good luck

Original poster
fannybanjo · 21/09/2011 19:36

My friend works for Flannels in Manchester and I think they use a dry cleaners called Granada. Have you heard of them?

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bishboschone · 21/09/2011 19:53

No , I am in the south.. I am very honest with people if I can't fix something but I fear many dry cleaners will just take your money and get you to sign the disclaimer. I would imagine if Flannels use them they are ok.

bishboschone · 21/09/2011 19:57

Www.the master cleaners.com...I have just googled and these guys seem to know what they are talking about.

bishboschone · 21/09/2011 19:57

Obviously just for info as in London but just so you know I am not making it up

NatureAbhorsAHoover · 21/09/2011 23:28

SCIENTIFIC UPDATE: stiff sheepskin vest is on sofa, this is Day 3 of DH kindly sitting on it all evening in the name of science.

Vest still stiff.

Suspect that if it was Alan Rickman's arse on it all evening (cf above) vest might have relaxed a bit. Hell, I would Grin

pixma · 22/09/2011 16:29

It needs working on and movement, Nature. Lots and lots of working on. Wink

Alan Rickman would only have to command the vest to relax and it would.

thejaffacakesareonme · 22/09/2011 17:09

I've washed a sheepskin rug before and used glycerin in the final wash - it helps the skin to remain supple when it dries. Don't know if it would work if the the skin is already stiff though.

NatureAbhorsAHoover · 22/09/2011 21:51

jaffa glycerine actually sounds like a good idea... can you get it from the chemists?

DH has lovely deep voice, considering training him to impersonate Alan Rickman Wink. That'll learn it.

kjaye · 22/09/2017 15:25

Hi I have washed a few sheepskin coats/jackets and coats over the years. Use a small amount of only liquid washing stuff in the machine, give it a short quick wash without heat, put in the conditioner section 2 or 3 tablespoons of liquid Glycerine(to keep it supple) and give the jacket 2/3 rinses and then a spin. Put the jacket on a sturdy hanger and pull into shape , fasten any buttons/ties and leave to dry slowly, away from any heat source. Should take 2/3 days to dry. Give it a light brush and the jacket should soften as you wear it. Enjoy

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