Professional sheepskin cleaning.

Is your sheepskin flat, matted, or stained?

Flattened fleece, tangled fibers, and stubborn spots call for an assessment, not automatically a wash. Left in place, grit can abrade fibers and stains can become harder to treat.

But soaking brings its own risks: stretched leather, lost softness, and permanent distortion. We check your item's condition before choosing how to clean it. A full wash isn't always the right answer.

What sheepskin items do we clean?

We care for sheepskin rugs, throws, garments, footwear, and other goods, choosing our approach according to each item's construction and condition.

Sheepskin rugs and throws

We pay close attention to the leather backing, which can react poorly to soaking. With large rugs, wet weight also makes proper support difficult and increases the risk of stretching during handling.

Sheepskin and shearling coats and jackets

We consider suede or nappa surfaces alongside seams, linings, and trims. Your whole garment needs coordinated care, even when only the fleece looks dirty.

Boots, slippers, and other sheepskin goods

Your boots and slippers collect perspiration and grime inside, and the fleece takes repeated pressure and friction. Before recommending treatment, we assess the wool and leather along with backing and attached components.

Why is washing sheepskin at home so risky?

Home washing is risky because your sheepskin combines wool and leather, and they respond differently to moisture, temperature, chemicals, and handling.

Water weight can distort the hide

Wet fleece holds substantial water. If you lift a soaked rug by its edges or hang it, that weight can stretch the hide or tear weakened areas.

Temperature can shrink and stiffen leather

Hot water can shrink and harden your hide; very cold water removes oily soil less effectively. The right temperature depends on the hide, and not every sheepskin is washable.

Heat and agitation can promote wool felting. That's another reason we assess your whole item first.

Harsh detergents remove natural oils

Strong detergents, bleach, and unsuitable enzyme cleaners can strip natural oils, including lanolin remaining in your fleece. Even a gentle wool product needs to be compatible with your washable item.

Over-washing wears out fleece

Repeated soaking, agitation, and drying put unnecessary stress on your sheepskin. We recommend cleaning according to condition, rather than washing because another month has passed.

Is machine washing or hand washing safer?

Neither method is risk-free; hand washing gives you more control, but proper rinsing and handling are difficult.

Method	Main concern
Machine washing	Your small, labeled-washable item may tolerate a gentle cycle, but agitation, spinning, and wet weight can mat wool or distort leather.
Hand washing	You can handle the item more gently, but prolonged soaking and incomplete rinsing can leave residue and stiffness.

Before you machine wash sheepskin or attempt a large hand wash, ask us which methods suit its construction.

How does our sheepskin cleaning process work?

We assess, clean, dry, and finish your item with care for both the fleece and the hide.

Inspection and stain assessment

We inspect your care label, leather condition, fleece, staining, and construction. If you've tried home treatments, we factor those into our discussion of likely results.

Gentle, material-appropriate cleaning

We choose methods and products suited to your piece. With careful handling and appropriate moisture and temperature, we limit stress on the hide and unnecessary loss of natural oils.

Controlled drying and shape retention

We manage drying and support your item's shape instead of hanging heavy, wet fleece from unsupported leather. Drying needs as much care as cleaning.

Brushing and finishing

Where its condition allows, we gently work through your flattened fleece. Finishing helps lift fibers and improve softness, but cleaning can't reverse every case of felting, cracking, or shrinkage.

Can you get stubborn stains out of sheepskin?

Yes, we can substantially improve many stains with early, appropriate treatment, but we can't promise complete removal.

Food, drinks, mud, pet accidents, and oil

We assess each stain before treating it. Oil clings to fibers, colored drinks can leave discoloration, and heat can set protein-based food stains. Mud brings abrasive grit into your fleece; pet accidents can affect the leather too.

What to do after a spill

Blot gently, without rubbing. If your care instructions allow it, use a barely damp cloth rather than soaking the area. Shake out loose, dry debris and avoid heat.

On the suede side, carefully lift loose debris with a soft brush or tweezers, without scraping or pulling the surface. Avoid stronger products until we've assessed the stain.

How should you care for sheepskin between cleanings?

Shake out loose dirt, brush appropriately, blot spills promptly, and arrange professional cleaning as needed, often once or twice yearly for heavily used items.

Monthly brushing

For suitable fleece, use a wide-tooth or sheepskin brush monthly. Follow your item's care instructions and work gently. Don't force tightly matted areas apart.

Small spills

Blot promptly without saturating your hide. Stop if color transfers, a water mark develops, or you notice a change in the leather's texture.

Safe drying

If your piece gets wet, support it flat and gently reshape it away from sunlight and direct heat. Brush suitable fleece while it's slightly damp.

Seasonal and climate care

Where you live in the U.S. affects how you care for your sheepskin:

• In humid climates, allow ventilation and let your piece dry completely before storage.
• In dry climates, watch for brittle leather and avoid unnecessary wetting or heat.
• In cold, snowy regions, address winter salt and slush promptly.

In spring, ask us about cleaning your winter coats and boots before seasonal storage.

When should you seek professional cleaning?

Call us when blotting doesn't lift a stain, or before you attempt a full wash. Ask us to assess your piece if you notice:

• Persistent odor or matting you can't loosen with brushing.
• Large, old, oily, or unidentified stains.
• Yellowing, stiff leather, or visible cracking.
• Valuable or sentimental pieces you can't risk at home.
• Coats with linings, trims, or mixed materials.
• Items that came out misshapen or stiff after home washing.

Existing damage may limit what we can achieve. We'll discuss those limits before you decide on cleaning.

Why choose Margaret's Cleaners for sheepskin cleaning?

As a leather, suede and fur specialist and the nation's first Five Star Certified Cleaner, we assess your entire item, including fleece, hide, seams, finishes, and previous treatments. The same washing advice doesn't safely apply to every rug, coat, and pair of boots.

We carry that assessment through cleaning, supported drying, and careful finishing. Our aim is cleaner, softer fleece while respecting your material's condition. Outside our Southern California delivery area, our nationwide CleanByMail service brings your piece to us.