- Mina Tajik
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Throughout time, humans have harnessed the bounty of sheepskin, a material cherished since the dawn of civilization. The multifaceted resilience of the sheepskin has endowed it with innumerable uses across time and space.
The earliest clues of sheepskin usage are rooted in the Stone Age, where it found utility as clothing, a means of shelter, and bedding material. The Egyptians, too, revered the virtues of sheepskin, employing it in their clothing, footwear, and even as a testament to social status.
Table of Contents
A sheepskin rug is a kind of soft rug that many people like it. We will explore how to wash and maintain it in the following. Also, we will explore some interesting decoration ideas with a sheepskin rug. Sheepskin rugs are natural and luxurious additions to any home. Also, these area rugs are very soft and eye-catching and have a wonderful touch. In the rest of this article, we will introduce these attractive carpets. But first, let's take a deeper look at the sheepskin itself...
Ancient Beginnings: Our story commences in the distant past, where nomadic tribes roamed the vast steppes and mountains, enduring harsh landscapes and extreme weather conditions. In these challenging environments, sheepskin proved to be an invaluable resource, offering unparalleled insulation against the biting cold. The nomads ingeniously utilized sheepskin to create garments that protected them from the elements, allowing them to thrive in the harshest of terrains.
Warmth in Royalty: As civilizations developed, the value of sheepskin transcended beyond its practicality. In the opulent courts of kings and queens, sheepskin products became a symbol of status and luxury. Royalty draped themselves in lavish sheepskin robes and adorned their thrones with plush sheepskin cushions. The softness and warmth of sheepskin became synonymous with indulgence and comfort, elevating its allure among the elite.
Exploration and Adventure: The Age of Exploration brought new horizons and climates to be conquered. Adventurers and explorers embarked on perilous journeys across uncharted territories, battling icy winds and freezing temperatures. It was during these expeditions that sheepskin proved its worth once again. Explorers relied on sheepskin clothing and accessories to shield themselves from the harsh elements, ensuring their survival in the most extreme conditions.
Sheepskin in Modern Times: In the modern era, sheepskin products have evolved to blend functionality and fashion seamlessly. The versatility of sheepskin has found its way into various industries, from aviation to medicine. Sheepskin seat covers in aircraft provide unrivaled comfort, while medical sheepskin aids in the prevention of bedsores and promotes healing. Fashion designers continue to incorporate sheepskin into their creations, ensuring its timeless presence on catwalks around the globe.
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Different Types of Sheepskin
Sheepskin comes in a variety of types. Mongolian sheepskin has hair that is long and wavy, and it can either be left in its natural off-white color or bleached white. Despite its natural off-white color, mouton lambskin is shaved and treated to resemble other furs. Shearling sheepskin is a natural material that is sheared and sueded, providing insulation and moisture absorption. Persian lamb is raised in Russia and Namibia and comes in a variety of natural colors. Tibetan lamb is similar to Mongolian lambswool but has a silkier and frizzier texture. Additionally, curly sheepskin, also known as Tigrado, is a type of sheepskin that has tight curls on one side.
Sheepskin Products
The canvas of sheepskin products is vast and varied, catering to the eclectic palette of consumers. Among these treasures, sheepskin rugs reign supreme. These luxurious tapestries infuse any space with warmth and luxury. Offered in an array of sizes, shapes, and hues, the perfect rug waits to grace every home, harmonizing with its unique decor.
Sheepskin slippers, too, hold a revered spot among consumers. These fluffy foot caresses promise unmatched comfort and snugness, swathing your feet in clouds of softness. The breathability inherent in sheepskin ensures optimal foot temperature regulation, rendering it the perfect companion for every season.
Sheepskin jackets and coats are coveted fashion items, renowned not only for their exquisite style but also for their practicality. The natural insulation of sheepskin ensures warmth in the colder seasons, while its breathability prevents overheating. Resilient and enduring, sheepskin jackets and coats make for a prudent investment.
Style and Design
Sheepskin jackets and coats come in a variety of styles, making them suitable for various occasions. From rugged aviator jackets to tailored blazers, there is a sheepskin option to suit every individual's taste and preference. Classic designs feature a cozy shearling lining, exposed or concealed button closures, and deep pockets for added functionality. Additionally, sheepskin jackets can be adorned with stylish accents like fur trims, decorative stitching, or leather detailing, adding a touch of luxury to the garment.
Materials and Craftsmanship
Sheepskin jackets and coats are typically made from high-quality sheepskin leather, which is known for its durability and natural insulation properties. The leather is soft and supple, providing a luxurious feel and ensuring that the garment molds to the wearer's body over time. The inner shearling lining is crafted from sheep's wool, offering exceptional warmth and a plush texture. Top-notch craftsmanship ensures that the sheepskin is expertly tanned and stitched, resulting in a jacket or coat that will stand the test of time.
Benefits of Using Sheepskin Products
Sheepskin boasts a myriad of benefits, making it a favored choice amongst consumers. A primary allure of sheepskin is its inherent insulation properties. The thick fibers of the sheepskin capture air, forming a layer of insulation that balances body temperature. Hence, sheepskin products are perfect for all climates, offering winter warmth and summer coolness.
Beyond its insulation properties, sheepskin is remarkably soft and cozy. The naturally crimped fibers of sheepskin create a cushioning effect that pampers the body while providing all-important support. This makes sheepskin items, such as rugs, slippers, and bedding, a sheer delight to use.
Decoration Ideas with Sheepskin Rugs
If you like to use sheepskin area rugs in your home decoration, the following ideas will help you.
Sheepskin rugs Create a Cozy Space Beside your Bed
Mornings can be tough, but imagine the comfort of stepping onto a faux sheepskin rug next to your bed! Embrace the sensation of warmth and softness, hugging your bare feet as you wake up. Also, sheepskin rugs add a touch of elegance to your room!
If you want to know about decoration ideas with the rug and how to use the rug and carpet together, you can read tips for using a Rug on Carpet blog post.
Enhance your Rug Setup with sheepskin rugs.
Rug layering introduces a delightful textural contrast with the underlying rug while also creating a snug play zone for children. Discover more expert tips on perfecting your rug layering game here.
One of the best rugs with high quality is The Tabriz rug. Tabriz rug is a famous and precious carpet in the world. For more information about Tabriz rug, you can read our blog post about Tabriz rug.
Design the Corner with Sheepskin Rugs
Transform a neglected nook into a cozy haven by incorporating luxurious sheepskin area rugs.
Often overlooked, those distant, vacant corners can be instantly revived with the addition of a sheepskin rug, converting the space where that extra chair languishes into an elegant and practical seating zone. Enhance the ambiance further by introducing a plush pillow and complementary decorative elements.
Drape your Furniture with sheepskin rugs.
Don't have a spare corner or extra space for a sheepskin rug? Here's the beauty of them: They can go pretty much anywhere! Smaller styles can drape over poufs and ottomans, coffee tables, the backs of couches, the ends of beds, and pretty much anywhere else that could use an extra pop of comfy texture.
Make an Impromptu Pet Bed
Create a makeshift pet bed using a cozy faux sheepskin rug. These rugs are irresistibly soft and fluffy, making them an ideal choice for your pet's comfort. Simply position one near your bed or in the living room, and your furry companion will have a snug spot to relax.
Create a Play area in Kids Room.
Establish a designated recreational space within a children's bedroom. Sheepskin area rugs, with their soft and luxurious texture, serve as an ideal addition to nurseries, children's bedrooms, and play areas. Incorporate one into any area where your child spends time to provide additional comfort and support for their feet and knees while playing.
One of the best kinds of rugs for a kid's playroom is a nursery rug. For more information about nursery rugs, you can read everything about kid's rugs in our blog post.
Add Comfort to Chairs
Enhance the comfort of your chairs effortlessly. Be it in the dining room or at the office, most of us possess at least one chair (or even multiple chairs!) in our home that could benefit from a touch of extra coziness. Lay it over the back or utilize it as a seat cushion to introduce both comfort and an irresistibly stylish, snug texture!
It's interesting to know that lambskin carpet is another kind of soft and friendly carpet as sheepskin carpet. If you like to invite nature elements to your home, these carpets are good ones.
Sheepskin Rug Maintenance
One of the main features of these carpets is their durability. If you take good care of sheepskin, it can last for years without rotting, tearing, or shedding.
The first principle of sheepskin rug maintenance is to avoid sunlight. Do not place your carpet in direct sunlight because UV rays can damage its fibers or cause its colors to fade.
Vacuum weekly with a plain suction unit. No revolving, rotating, turbo, or beater bar attachments. We don't want to damage the carpet. We just want to clean it. If your carpet is dyed, it should only be dry-cleaned.
With substances like lanolin in it, wool constantly softens itself, so you don't have to worry about your sheep carpet getting rough.
Mother Nature has given life to us, all animals, as well as plants. Some animals, such as cows and sheep, are in our food chain; we make dairy and meat from them. Sheepskin is also a part that is not thrown away after slaughtering for dairy and meat. Rather, it is mixed with art and makes decorative and beautiful carpets for our homes. These carpets are warm in winter and cool in summer, making the house's temperature pleasant and mild and having a soft and pleasant touch.
Is Buying Sheepskin Cruel?
Is buying sheepskin rugs cruel? Many people have this question. Sheepskin rugs are a natural byproduct of the meat industry, just like cow hides. While sheep meat is processed for human consumption and animal feed, the skin is tanned and prepared for use as leather, or in this case, as a sheepskin rug.
Sheep aren't slaughtered specifically for their skin, so sheepskins are in no way unethical as a product (Just like cowhide rugs). By using sheepskins to make rugs, no part of the animal is wasted. So, to the answer to the question, is sheepskin cruel? We have to say that it is not cruel in any way.
What's the Difference Between Sheepskin Rugs and Wool Rugs?
The wool used in regular wool rugs is usually much coarser and is processed down into very fine strands before being used in large rugs and carpets that usually adorn homes.
Companies and stores that create and produce excellent sheepskin rugs will only consider sheep that produce the finest, softest wool since sheepskins are much softer than other types of wool rugs.
How to Clean Sheepskin Rugs?
We have already talked about how to clean rugs at home and how to wash carpets. But sheepskin rugs may have created a fear in you about washing and cleaning them, or you think that if you wash them, you will face a lot of wool shedding. But fortunately, this is not true. It is just better to follow a few steps so that your favorite carpet is not damaged:
- Once a week, vacuum thoroughly using a plain suction unit (no fancy turbo or rotation units).
- Take your rug outside regularly and shake it.
- Spills and marks should be spot-cleaned as soon as possible. Blot gently with a damp cloth.
- Run it under cold water if spot cleaning doesn't remove a particular mark or spill.
- Hold the dirty part of your sheepskin under a running cold tap for a minute or two.
- Then, use a towel (paper towels also work well) and press gently to soak up the remaining liquid.
- Try standing on the towel and pressing gently with your feet if the wet area is quite large.
How to Clean a Lambskin Rug?
If you don't know how to clean lambskin rug? We have to say that cleaning lambskin is not too much different from cleaning sheepskin.
Is Sheepskin Washable?
The outer layers of sheepskin fibers are coated with lanolin, a waxy substance. Naturally occurring, lanolin makes the fibers slippery, making it harder for dust, dirt, and liquid to take hold and inhibiting the growth of allergens.
A sheepskin rug is resistant to soiling and easy to clean. It doesn't have to be washed as often as you think.
However, everyday life, parties, pets, and children make you inevitably have to wash your carpets. In this case, there is no need to worry; sheepskin can be washed. In the following, we review the methods and tips related to it.
Can the Sheepskin Rug be Washed with a Washing Machine?
Machine washing is quick and efficient, but it comes with certain risks. It should be your last choice after exhausting all other options. Because the sheepskin fibers themselves will look splendid, but the backing will not.
The backing of sheepskin rugs is either leather pelts or suede. If your rug has a suede backing, then dry clean only. You definitely want to avoid putting suede through the washing machine.
If your rug has a leather pelt backing, you can technically machine wash it. But! It is important to note that after being fully submerged in water, the backing may harden and lose its original shape (sometimes called 'boarding'). It may never look the same as before you washed it.
How are Sheepskin Rugs Made?
Sheepskin comes from the skin of sheep, preserved with the wool intact. The creation process entails stripping the wool from the skin, followed by the application of tanning agents for preservation. Renowned for its enduring softness, sheepskin is widely utilized in crafting clothing, footwear, and accessories.
Its natural insulating qualities regulate body temperature, ensuring warmth in chilly environments and coolness during hotter periods.
What are the Benefits of Sheepskin Rugs?
Some people ask if sheepskin rugs are cruel. To answer this question, we have to say that not only is sheepskin rug not cruel, but also it has many advantages.
Sheepskin rugs are a favored choice for interior decoration, and it has many advantages. Their innate wool fibers ensure exceptional insulation, keeping spaces warm in colder months. Moreover, their plush texture contributes a welcoming touch, creating a comfortable surface for relaxation.
These rugs are renowned for their resilience and innate resistance to dirt, facilitating effortless maintenance. They also aid in enhancing indoor air quality by capturing allergens and dust particles, ultimately reducing airborne impurities. With their capacity to harmonize with diverse interior styles, these rugs serve as a versatile and elegant addition to any home or space.
The Quality of Sheepskin
The quality of sheepskin is influenced by a variety of determinants, including the breed of the sheep, the tanning technique, the seed, and the overall artistry. First-rate sheepskin is generally acquired from specific breeds renowned for their velvety and pliant hides.
The tanning process forms another vital facet affecting the quality of the sheepskin. Adequate tanning ensures that the sheepskin remains soft, malleable, and resilient to wear and tear. The adoption of eco-friendly and sustainable tanning processes is also of significant importance for those who value ethical sourcing.
The caliber of the skin utilized in each application hinges on several factors, primarily whether the pelt, being the rear of the hide, will be exposed or not. In instances where the pelt is on display, superior quality hides with minimal seed contamination are employed.
Seed contamination refers to the occurrence where remnants of scar tissue persist, a result of a healed seed burrow wound during the animal's lifespan. This scar tissue can either detach, leaving minuscule holes after the pelt has been processed, or remain intact, causing imperfections in the pelt that are beyond rectification. Seed contamination is assessed as follows:
No Visible Seed
This grade signifies that the skin is visually devoid of seed contamination. However, this does not imply that the skin is entirely seed-free, but rather that it is visually free of seed.
The Light Seed
This grade indicates slight seed contamination that is visible in the wool. However, it's minimal and primarily concentrated in the belly regions.
The Medium Seed
Dappled across the vast expanse of the wool's surface, light seed contamination gracefully weaves its way around but seems to favor the belly area and the legs for its performances.
The Heavy Seed
On the other hand, heavy seed contamination, like an overbearing protagonist, extends its influence through the majority of the wool. The belly area and the legs serve as its favorite stage, where it delivers its most powerful performances.
The Burry
Into this dance of contamination steps the burry seed, a hard and relentless performer. Its concentration can vary from a mere whisper of light to a booming echo of heavy intensity. This actor does not hesitate to cause problems, its presence demanding removal before the fleshing process commences. Failure to do so may result in the rollers punching them through the delicate skin of the wool, like a misguided choreography.
In general, wool plagued by the cruel touch of skin diseases finds itself banished from usefulness. Lurking amongst these woes are louse infestation, the haunting presence of dead wool, and the destructive force of regrowth — a trio of adversaries that no wool wishes to encounter.
Size of Sheepskin
The Size of Sheepskin will be discussed in the following:
- Bares (newly shorn)
- 1⁄8–1⁄4 inch (3–6 mm)
- 1⁄4–1⁄2 inch (6–13 mm)
- 1⁄2–1 inch (13–25 mm)
- 1–2 inches (25–51 mm)
- 2–4 inches (51–102 mm)(Full wools)
CyrusCrafts Rug Chain Stores: Ontario, Canada
CyrusCrafts NA is seriously pleased to show you the evolution of Persian rug chain stores in North America. The mission has always been to bring beauty and craftsmanship of the most exquisite Persian carpet to homes and offices and we are glad we have done this in several key locations.
CyrusCrafts Toronto, Ontario Online Rug Store
Since we opened our store a couple of years ago, people who are interested in rugs and the arts in Toronto, Ontario have come to know us well.
From the elegant round rugs placed at the doorsteps of classy houses to the bright and stunning area rugs placed in the living room, we offer an enormous stock of Persian rugs in Toronto that match every individual preference.
Conclusion
In this article, we explore some decoration ideas with a sheepskin rug. A sheepskin rug is one of the types of fur rug of comfortable rug that many people like. Are sheepskin rugs cruel? This question is a common issue for many people. But you should know that it isn't cruel since sheep are not killed because of their skin. Also, if you want to know how to clean a lambskin rug or sheepskin rug, you can read this article.
How about you? Have you ever used sheepskin rugs? Share your thoughts about this in the comment section.
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