Leather and Sheepskin Care

Caring for Shearling Sheepskin Coats

When treated with care, a high-quality sheepskin leather coat will provide years of enjoyment. Here are a few tips on how to care for a leather jacket to help you maximize the longevity and beauty of your coat.

STORAGE

To preserve the shape of your coat, use a large, curved hanger with broad ends when hanging, storing, or drying it. Always store your coat in a breathable garment bag made of cotton or woven fabric. Plastic dry-cleaning bags and PEVA or vinyl bags do not allow air to circulate, which can cause discoloration and damage the integrity of your coat.

Be sure to hang your coat away from direct light sources of all kinds in order to avoid fading.

DRYING

While sheepskin can be worn in the rain or snow, it's best not to fully saturate it with moisture. If your coat gets wet, just shake off the excess water or snow, blot dry with a clean towel, and hang your coat to dry at room temperature, making sure to avoid any direct heat sources.

Do not vigorously rub your sheepskin coat, as that will force the moisture deep into the leather and damage the garment.

After your coat is thoroughly dry, use a suede brush to brush the nap of your coat's exterior—unless it has a napa finish, in which case it's best to just rub the coat lightly with a soft towel. You can fluff the inside wool lightly with a wire brush.

CLEANING

To clean up small spills on your sheepskin coat, wipe with a damp cloth, and gently pluck any debris or dirt stains from the suede with tweezers. You can also use a scouring pad to lightly rejuvenate the suede and remove dirt marks at the same time.

To treat liquid spots on your sheepskin coat from grease, drinks, etc., sprinkle a layer of corn starch directly onto the spot and let it sit for a day or two (the bigger the stain, the longer you should let the corn starch sit). When you're ready, dust off the corn starch and brush the nap of the suede with a suede brush. If your coat has a napa finish, do not use a suede brush; rather, rub lightly with a soft towel.

We do not suggest having your sheepskin coat dry cleaned, as it can remove the garment's natural oils. In case of extreme soiling or stains, contact a leather and sheepskin specialty cleaner.

How to Care for Sheepskin Leather Jackets

HOW TO STORE A LEATHER JACKET

Store your leather jackets, coats, and clothing items in a moderate environment (i.e. not overly humid or dry), making sure to keep them out of direct sunlight. To preserve the shape of your leather garments, use padded or wood hangers when hanging, storing, or drying them, taking special care not to stretch the leather. Always store your garment in a breathable garment bag made of cotton or woven fabric. Plastic dry-cleaning bags and PEVA or vinyl bags do not allow air to circulate, and can dry out the leather's natural oils.

If your leather garment gets wet, simply allow it to air-dry naturally, making sure to keep it away from any heat sources. Once it has fully dried, you can treat it with a special conditioner to restore its luster and flexibility. Do not use products that contain petroleum or mineral oils, as they are very drying and can damage the leather over time. If the garment is made of suede, you may gently brush it with a terry cloth towel.

For most cases, it's best to take your leather goods to a reputable professional who specializes in leather cleaning and care. A regular dry cleaner is not equipped to handle leather's specific needs and can dry out the natural oils that keep leather supple and healthy.

For general sheepskin leather care and upkeep at home, here are a few helpful guidelines:

• For leather, use a soft, clean cloth to brush off dry dirt or dust—or use a slightly damp towel if the dirt doesn't just brush right off

• For suede, use a suede brush to gently clean your garment

If you plan to use a leather-cleaning product on minor stains or a conditioner to treat your leathers, make sure to test the product on an inconspicuous part of the garment first To remove winter salt deposits, gently sponge your leather garment with a damp towel and let air-dry.