Sheepskin: How to Choose and Care for It Before Winter

A sheepskin is a wool-on hide, meaning the fleece stays attached to the leather, which makes it perfect for indoor winter use. To choose well in Quebec, check the wool density, the suppleness of the leather and the care instructions, then air it out and clean it gently before the cold weather sets in.

Sheepskin or lambskin: what's the difference before winter

Both terms refer to a wool-on hide, but lambskin comes from a younger animal, so the wool tends to be shorter and finer, while adult sheepskin usually has a thicker, fuller fleece. The choice really comes down to how you plan to use it: a decorative throw can work fine with lighter wool, while a rug or seat cushion benefits from a denser fleece.

In Centre-du-Québec, Fromagerie La Moutonnière, based in Sainte-Hélène-de-Chester, offers these skins among its farm products, alongside its wool socks and sheep's milk cheeses. These are separate products from the cheese, but they come from the same world: sheep farming.

Concrete criteria to check before buying

Before choosing a sheepskin for winter, take a moment to look at a few simple things:

• Wool density: a thick, even fleece holds up better season after season than a thin, patchy one.
• Leather suppleness: the backing should feel soft to the touch, with no stiff, cracked or dried-out spots.
• Smell: a properly treated skin shouldn't give off a strong or unpleasant odour.
• Stitching and evenness: check for bald spots or holes near the edges.
• The care label: it will indicate the specific limits for that particular piece, especially if it's dyed, lined, or has a fabric backing.

A sheepskin that checks these boxes generally holds up better through the winter, whether it's draped over a chair, placed at an entryway bench, or laid at the foot of a bed.

Preparing your sheepskin before the cold hits

Before winter sets in, a bit of light upkeep is often all it takes to keep the skin fresh and pleasant to the touch:

• Airing it out regularly outdoors, in the shade, helps refresh the wool without needing a wash.
• Gently shaking the piece helps restore volume to fibres flattened by use.
• Brushing in the direction of the wool, with a soft-bristle brush, prevents tangling or matting.
• Avoiding prolonged direct sunlight, which can dry out the leather over time.

These simple habits, done before the cold season, reduce the need for deep cleaning once winter really settles in.

Cleaning a stain without damaging the skin

There's no single washing method that works for every sheepskin: it depends on the tanning, the dye, and whether or not there's a backing. In general, for a small stain:

• Blot it right away with a clean cloth, without rubbing, to avoid spreading the mark.
• Then let it dry flat, away from direct heat sources like a radiator or fireplace.
• Let it air dry rather than using a dryer, which can stiffen the leather.

For a full wash, it's always best to go by the manufacturer's label rather than a general rule, since some skins can't tolerate water or machine washing at all. When in doubt, minimal and regular care remains the safest approach to preserving the piece.

Common mistakes to avoid

A few habits, often done with good intentions, end up damaging a sheepskin:

• Washing without checking the label, risking irreversible matting of the wool.
• Drying near a direct heat source, which dries out and stiffens the leather.
• Dry-brushing too aggressively, which can pull out fibres.
• Storing the skin folded for long periods, which leaves marks on both the wool and the leather.

Gentle, regular care usually extends the life of the piece far better than a one-time fix after a big stain.

Where to find a sheepskin in Quebec

For visitors to Centre-du-Québec or online shoppers, sheepskins and other farm products are available in the cheese shop's online store, alongside sheep's milk cheeses, fetas, ricotta and Royogourt. To learn more about the world of sheep farming, the cheese shop's journal features other articles on farm products and life at the business.

Related reading:

• Wool Socks and Sheepskin Near Warwick: Where to Find Them
• Sheep's Milk Feta in Quebec City
• Cheesemaker Near Me: Where to Find La Moutonnière in Centre-du-Québec