Fur, shearling and sheepskin are the garments people most often ruin at home, usually with good intentions. They are not fabric in the ordinary sense — they are skin with hair attached, and skin needs oils to stay supple. A normal wash strips those oils, and the hide dries hard, cracks and shrinks. Fur and sheepskin jacket cleaning in Sydney is a specialist process for exactly that reason.

WashMate cleans fur, shearling and sheepskin at both Sydney stores. Because condition varies so much, email photos of the item and its care label to info@washmate.com.au for an approximate quote — the final price is confirmed after physical inspection.

Why fur and sheepskin cannot go in a washing machine

Water swells and then shrinks the hide — a jacket can come out one or two sizes smaller and permanently stiff
Detergent strips the natural oils — once the leather dries out, cracking along the seams and elbows follows
Heat is fatal — a tumble dryer or a hot car will curl and harden the skin irreversibly
Agitation mats the pile — shearling wool clumps and loses its loft, and it does not come back
Home suede sprays can blotch — they sit unevenly on the nap and leave permanent patchy marks

How the professional process differs

Specialist cleaning uses a solvent system with conditioning agents included, so oils removed during cleaning are replaced as part of the same process. The pile is then worked back up so the shearling regains its loft rather than sitting flat and matted. Suede and nubuck surfaces are buffed to restore the nap. Finally the garment is dried slowly and in shape — the step most home attempts skip, and the one that causes the most permanent damage.

Looking after fur and sheepskin between cleans

Hang on a broad, contoured hanger so the shoulders keep their shape — never a wire hanger
Store in a breathable cotton cover, never plastic, which traps moisture against the hide
Keep it out of direct sunlight, which fades and dries the skin
Brush shearling gently with a soft brush to lift the pile and remove surface dust
Never attempt to dry a wet jacket with a heater or hairdryer — let it dry slowly, away from direct heat
Clean before storing for the season, since body oils left in the hide attract moths and set into stains

When to have it cleaned

Once a season is the usual rule for a jacket worn regularly through a Sydney winter, plus a clean before it goes away for summer. Storing an unworn-looking jacket dirty is the single most common cause of the damage we see in spring — invisible skin oils oxidise over months in a dark wardrobe and turn into yellow marks, and they are exactly what clothes moths are looking for.

Leather and suede jackets start from $129. See the full price list, and read our guide to storing winter coats before spring.

Telling fur, shearling and faux apart

It matters, because the treatments differ completely. Real shearling is a single sheepskin with the wool still attached to the hide, so one side is suede and the other is wool. Real fur is pelt with dense guard hairs and a soft underfur, and the leather side is usually thin and supple. Faux fur is a synthetic pile stitched to a woven backing — it will not have a leather reverse, and the pile often feels uniform and slightly slippery.

Faux fur is not automatically the easier option. It melts. Heat that a real pelt shrugs off will fuse synthetic pile into hard patches that cannot be reversed, which is why we never put faux items near the temperatures used for finishing wool. If you are unsure what you own, check the reverse of the hem or bring it in and we will tell you.

Signs a jacket needs professional attention

The leather feels stiff or papery rather than supple
Shearling wool is matted, clumped or flattened along the sleeves and collar
A musty smell that does not lift after airing — usually moisture trapped in the hide
Darkened, shiny patches at the cuffs, collar and hem where body oils have built up
Visible dust or grey cast across the pile
Small holes or bald patches, which can indicate moth activity and should be dealt with quickly

Frequently asked questions

Can I wash a sheepskin jacket at home?

No. Water and detergent strip the natural oils from the hide, which then dries hard, shrinks and cracks. Machine agitation also permanently mats the wool pile.

What does fur or sheepskin cleaning cost?

Leather, suede and shearling jackets start from $129. Because condition varies, email photos for an approximate quote and we confirm the final price after inspection.

How long does specialist cleaning take?

Longer than standard dry cleaning, as the drying and conditioning stages cannot be rushed. We give you a realistic date when you drop the item in.

Can you fix a jacket that has already dried out and stiffened?

Sometimes. Conditioning can restore suppleness if the hide has not cracked. If the damage is structural we will tell you honestly rather than take the job.

How should I store a sheepskin jacket over summer?

Clean it first, then hang it on a broad hanger in a breathable cotton cover, away from direct sunlight and never in plastic.

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