Naturally Bark-Tanned Sheepskin/Hide

These sheepskins are naturally-preserved pieces of the Taste of the Wind Flock, and I hope they warm your home as much as they have warmed my heart up to this point!

Each sheepskin was produced by one of my butcher lambs last fall. Here is a little bit about the process that leads up to a completed, tanned sheepskin:

First, it takes around 7 months to grow this hide and all of the wool on it. Icelandic sheep are born with about an inch of wool and they grow about 1 inch of wool every month. These hides are literally a fluffy form of converted Wyoming sunshine, as my butcher lambs eat a diet of Wyoming Rangeland plants.

Second, in the fall, I bring my lambs to the butcher to be converted into nourishment for my meat customers. The butcher removes the hides and gives me a call when they are ready to be picked up. I bring salt with me to place on the hides and prevent bacterial growth immediately.

Third, I soak the hides to rehydrate them when I am ready to start the tanning process. Then I remove any material that remains on the skin side that is not skin. This process is called fleshing.

Fourth, I place the fleshed hide into a citric acid solution to set the proper pH and increase softness of the skin, then I place the hide in the tannins (tree bark) and swish it around periodically for 4-6 weeks, until the tannins have fully penetrated the skin.

Fifth, I wash and brush the wool side out for several more hours to try to get it as clean as possible. I am never able to get every single bit of grass, or hay, but a good portion of debris comes out in this process.

Last, I do some quality control testing, usually I lay on each rug and do some stretches or take a nap with one of my border collies to make sure it is comfy and smells fresh.

I send each sheepskin to its new home knowing it will be enjoyed for years to come, and it will return to the cycle of the earth as all wool will someday become soil and grass for sheep to eat all over again.

Sheepskin/Hide Care

These hides are very low maintenance and easy-to-clean if you need to. You can get them wet by hosing it off or soaking it in your bathtub or a tote. You can also use shampoo, woolite, or dish soap if you feel so inclined. If the rug just needs some debris removed, you can take it outside and shake it, rub it in the snow, or use an air compressor, a leaf blower, or a windy day, to blow out any debris. Once you are done washing, hang the rug to dry. Avoid hanging it over metal while it is wet because the tannins will react with any iron compounds and cause black staining on the skin. You can use a wire pet brush to brush out locks on the wool side if you would like. It will probably shed some wool when you brush it, so you may want to do this outside. *Do not put your sheepskin into the washing machine or dryer. This will ruin it!*

If the wool side of your hide becomes crunchy you can put vinegar water in a spray bottle and spray down the wool and let it dry. I use 1/4 cup of vinegar per gallon of water. This helps return the pH of the wool to a lower level, which will preserve the structure of the wool and keep it nice and soft. 

If the hide becomes dry and crunchy-feeling you can place a damp towel over the skin side and make a conditioning solution of two egg-yolks, 2 Tbsp olive oil and a bit of warm water, well-mixed and brushed on thinly and allowed to dry. Then work the hide a little bit by moving it around, running it back and forth over a smooth surface (like the back of a chair), or whipping it around in the air. 

Thanks so much for your support. You are helping my sheep earn their keep with your purchase. I hope this rug brings joy, warmth, and a little wildness into your home for years to come!