Sheepskin Fur Pelt probably untanned with fleece

[Jennifer Hein <jhein@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Hello TEXCON,
To treat any fleece, fur or fuzzy manmade that is used in outreach I
would use the CCI treatment of Fry Em.

I would be most concerned with small pest, possibly even lice but other
pest also. Once a year or regularly, place a thick plastic dropcloth
on the floor, lay a sheet on top, lay the one object out as flat as
possible. Fold over the sheet and plastic to cover without crunching.
Evacuate air as you duct tape sides. Lay out on sidewalk or asphalt to
heat one hour per side on a sunny day. Bring in , let return to room
temp. then unbag.  Shake outside at that point or vacuum.

If it is soiled at that point, you need to consider wetcleaning but
that is very tedious with the weight. It cannot be submerged for more
that 10 minutes, fleece side down in a tub in a sudsy warm bath with
very little soap (1/2 t. woolite)

 Dry cleaning does not remove sweat and dries the skin. A furrier does
better but it is probably as much as the initial cost.

If it is new, I would probably try to dispose of it and buy a new one
every few years.

Problem:  Navajo-Churro (sheepskin) fleece that is used in our
elementary outreach program.  It is a full pelt, and it is very dirty.
I was wondering if any of you could suggest a cleaning method that
would be safe for both the leather and wool.  Jennifer Hadley

Good Luck, call me if you want to try the wet cleaning.
--Jennifer Hein
Preservation Consultant
Historic Conservator of Textiles, Leather & Ethnography
PO Box 90379, Indianapolis, IN 46290
317-575-9296