Australian Sheepskin

About the Sheep.................

2008-09-24T20:08:00.000-07:00

The history of Australian Sheepskin, is what makes sheepskin products so unique. The Merino sheep dates back to 1797 when a flock of Spanish Merino arrived via South Africa. The flock was bought by two British officers who sold the flock to landowners in Sydney, AU.

Today's wool evolved by generations of Australian and New Zealand families working to find the combination of sheep breeds and pastures that would eventually produce the fibers from which the world's most luxurious sheepskin products are made.The Wonders of Natural Wool...............

For centuries, sheep farmers & manufacturers have known that no man-made fiber possesses the virtues of 100% sheepskin. The unique combination of leather skin on one side and merino wool fleece on the other lends it remarkable properties. Sheepskin wool is soft and resilient. Its fibers breathe, acting like a natural thermostat for your body. These hollow fibers can absorb up to 30% of their own weight in moisture without feeling wet, keeping you perfectly dry regardless of the weather. The free flow of air between you and the sheepskin fibers is a comforting change from the clamminess of leather and vinyl. Ounce for ounce, sheepskin is stronger than steel. Wool does not shed, because it's attached to the skin. It isn't woven and then brushed up, like wool pile fabric that is loose enough to be pulled out or worn off. Sheepskin wool is embedded into the leather. Your sheepskin items will last for years with minimal care: most often, only brushing, shaking out, or vacuuming is required. Impossible to copy synthetically, sheepskin and its wool fibers offer an astounding list of natural qualities. Sheepskin is a pure organic product, unlike any other fiber in the world. Sheepskin will return, in time, to its constituent elements.

Sheepskin Care & Cleaning

2008-07-02T06:02:00.001-07:00

With proper care, your sheepskin items will look better and last longer. How To Clean and Care for Sheepskin Slippers. Why maintain your sheepskin slippers? Proper cleaning will significantly prolong the life of your footwear investment. For the outer suede leather onlyClean the leather with a damp, soft cloth. When dry, buff lightly with a clean brass or nylon bristle brush or nubuck brush to restore the nap of the leather fibers. Scuff marks and dirt may be gently removed with a suede-cleaning eraser or suede stone.

When your sheepskin slippers get dirty Use only non-enzyme liquid soaps specifically formulated for washing leather. This will give them a deep cleaning and help keep them looking like new. We do not recommend Woolite or laundry detergents. We recommend hand washing for best results.

Test an area first for colorfastness by diluting a dime-sized amount of a leather shampoo with water and hand washing a small section of the item.

Fill a basin or sink with lukewarm water and add an appropriate amount (see back label of bottle) of Sheepskin Shampoo to the water. Do not pour shampoo directly onto the slippers.
Scrub slippers gently using a soft damp cloth, or a very soft-bristled brush.

After washing, wrap the slippers in a towel to absorb the excess water.

Let slippers dry naturally, away from heat, wind and sunlight. DO NOT dry sheepskin slippers in the dryer or expose them to excessive heat or direct sunlight. This is a sure way to ruin them.
Then dry, brush the fur out with a wire brush if desired.

medicalsheepskins.com

2008-01-23T07:34:00.000-08:00

Australian Medical Sheepskins and medical sheepskin products have been successful nursing aids for the prevention of pressure ulcers ( bed sores) since the early 1960’s. The value and comfort of Australian Medical Sheepskin products is derived from the springy 30 mm pile of these specially tanned sheepskins. The high density ( number of fibres per square inch) of soft, springy resilient wool fibres creates a cushion that distributes body weight and pressure points over a large area. Each fibre acts as a "mini-spring" that will deform to a body contour; particularly at pressure points.

Unlike other fibres, wool can absorb moisture up to 33% of its weight; without feeling wet. The wool fibres wick moisture away from the skin, keeping it dry- an important consideration for bed sore prevention. The wool pile surface also reduces friction and skin tearing; making Medical Sheepskins ideal overlays for people confined to bed or wheelchair. These Medical Sheepskin properties provide improved comfort for the patient and reduction in the primary causes of bedsores, pressure sores and decubitus ulcers:

* Pressure
* Friction
* Moisture

Medical sheepskins of the past have been used very effectively in the home environment, but were not generally used in hospitals. This was largely because many patients were incontinent and sheepskins did not hold up in these circumstances. Similarly, disinfection was a problem since sheepskins could only be washed in warm water.

Today, the deficiencies of previously available medical sheepskins have been solved. As of 1998, a new standard of Medical Sheepskin was introduced in Australia. The CSIRO, in partnership with industry, developed new technologies that produced the : "Australian Medical Sheepskin
( Australian Standard AS 4480.1 1998)".

Our HiTemp UR Australian Medical Sheepskins exceed this standard.

The Australian Medical Sheepskin Standard: AS4480.1 1998
This Standard specifies requirements for tanned sheepskins and lambskins that are used for health care, medical and institutional uses. They are used to minimize the incidence, severity and duration of pressure ulcers ( bedsores and decubitus ulcers) by decreasing friction, pressure and humidity at the points of contact between the patient and the bed or chair.
Sheepskins that meet or exceed this Standard have the following properties:
well trimmed and pre-washed homogeneous wool pile of uniform length and density, well-defined staple and crimp, straight to light curl in appearance, free from pilling and vegetable matter. Wool shall not be felted leather is free from excessive natural fat and grease, free of faults, symmetrical. Can be further processed to give increased urine resistance and labelled accordingly. Leather shall not give off any pungent or rancid odour

HiTemp wool colour must be Medical Green

Wool fibre diameter shall be 26-34 µm and be 25- 30 mm long

Flatness- at all times, the product should lie flat on a horizontal surface with minimum curling around the edges.

HiTemp Medical Sheepskins must have a minimum shrink temperature of 110 oC and should not decrease more than 5oC after 5 wash cycles.

Must be colourfast

Sheepskin Benefits for Babies

2007-08-25T21:01:00.000-07:00

Sheepskin offers unique advantages for babies.

The fibers are held in place by a treated leather backing that is both fluid- and urine-resistant, in the case of High Temp sheepskin. This gives sheepskin characteristics such as durability and water resistance, making sheepskin suitable for both indoor and outdoor use as a protective layer.

Another advantage of a sheepskin for babies is that it draws moisture away from your baby's skin, then trapping between 30 and 36 percent of the sheepskin's own weight in moisture, thanks to the high-density, wool fibers.

Medical Benefits of Sheepskin

2007-08-25T20:42:00.000-07:00

Studies indicate there are tremendous medical benefits to using genuine sheepskin. It helps patients by limiting the amount of friction and pressure, which causes ulcers and sores. Can help patients with Fibromalaysia. Sheepskin Slippers are designed for individuals diagnosed with any of the following disorders Lymphoedema, Ulcerated Toes & Feet, Vascular Disorders, Diabetes, Arterial Disease, Arthritis, Bunions, Swollen Feet & Ankles, Leg & Foot Ulcers, Hammer Toe.

2007-07-02T12:28:00.000-07:00