Keeping sheepskin pads/numnahs nice and fluffy

[squiz22]

Its inevitable that we have to wash out various saddle pads, numnahs etc but I can't seem to keep the sheep skin bits fluffy - I have a lovely numed saddle pad and the sheepskin bit on it looks all flat and bedraggled. I washed it on a woolens wash. Same with others I have and now I need to wash a new La Mieux numnah and don't want the same to happen..??

Any ideas?

 

[PapaFrita]

Brush them out with one of those wire brushes used on long-haired cats and dogs.

 

[Azmar]

I tumble dried mine on low heat and it removed most hairs as well. NuMed and they lasted just fine and it kept them fluffy

 

[Izzwizz]

Wash them with the Nuumed Wash stuff too, designed for them and lasts forever.

 

[squiz22]

Thanks all - numed stuff? whats this? I must get some!

 

[MerrySherryRider]

I brush mine to remove the loose dirt and hair with a soft rubber brush (from a hardware shop) or use the hoover, then spray on human hair conditioner and rub it in to the sheepskin with my fingers. Then bung in washing machine with a wool soap powder. Leave to dry naturally and once dry either brush with the rubber brush or hoover it with the handtool attachment to fluff up the wool evenly.

If it is reasonably clean and just wants fluffing up, I use my steamer and it comes up like new again.

 

[ThePony]

I get the hair off with a rubber curry comb, then rub lots of hair conditioner in (I just use value stuff!) then wash on a cool wash with a non-bio liquid. I just dry it on a clothes airer. Mine has been through the wash umpteen times and is still lovely and soft and 'full'!

 

[Izzwizz]

Thanks all - numed stuff? whats this? I must get some!

Its called "Nuumed Nuuwash" and you can get it from most Saddleries. Costs about £5 for a litre bottle. You can use it to wash all sorts of horsey stuff and is good for our coats. Its soap based so wont strip the waterproof layer out of them.