Did you know both breeds behind this sheepskin are named for their Dutch homes? Texel sheep come from a tiny island off the coast of the Netherlands, and Frisian sheep from the northern province of Friesland. That's where the story of the Washable Heirloom Baby Sheepskin by Modern Nursery Organics begins, with pasture-raised sheep who have never eaten a kernel of grain. Spread it out for tummy time, tuck it into the stroller on a chilly walk, or drape it over the glider for those long middle-of-the-night feeds. We can vouch for them, too: they have helped our babies sleep better and stay comfortable. Each hide is handmade and slowly tanned in a herbal bath of tree bark, and it's tanned in a way that lets it go in the washing machine! Spit-up happens, and the Washable Heirloom Baby Sheepskin is ready for it, and for every cozy year after.
Features:
- Machine washable, on gentle warm, when it truly needs it
- Baby sheepskin: short, soft fur that's gentle against baby's skin
- Medical sheepskin: denser wool from older sheep, known for pressure relief and extra cushioning
- Pasture-raised Frisian and Texel sheep from the Netherlands, grass fed and finished, raised without herbicides or pesticides
- Tanned in a herbal bath of willow, spruce, oak, sumac and alder bark plus plants grown with organic practices, with no pesticides
- Handmade: each hide is prepped, bark-tanned, rack-dried, then trimmed, brushed and fluffed
- BPA free, low VOC, no added formaldehyde and no known harmful phthalates
Dimensions: Small: 32-36" L x 20-23" W. Extra Large: 46-50" L x 26-29" W. Every hide is natural, so sizes vary within the range.
Fur length: 1" to 1.5" on all washable sheepskins
Washing and care: Shake it out, vacuum it, or brush it with a metal wire animal brush whenever it starts to look shaggy (about once a month). For spit-up or a diaper blowout, blot up the moisture, then spot clean with our favorite cleaner, Branch Basics. Wool is naturally antimicrobial, so it doesn't need cleaning the way cotton does. Air it out of direct sunlight.
Frequently asked questions
Baby vs medical: which one do I want?
Medical sheepskins are derived from older sheep who have denser wool. They are known for their pressure relief qualities and are very cushy. The baby sheepskins are physically softer to the touch than medical and aren't quite as dense. If you plan on putting a sheet over the sheepskin anyway, medical might be the way to go. If you are looking to purchase the softest sheepskin you can find for baby's skin against it, then the Baby option might be best for you.
Don't washable sheepskins use harsh, toxic chemicals?
Usually yes, but ours don't. These are some of the only naturally tanned, truly washable sheepskins on the market. Other "natural" tanning processes do not allow for machine washing because of the chemicals used in the process and the way in which they are tanned. These do, due to the bark tanning process. This is a significant factor that sets these specific sheepskins apart. There is no other large US company who offers bark tanned sheepskins that are also machine washable.
How do I wash my washable sheepskin?
In the washing machine, as a last resort. It isn't meant to be washed as often as a pair of jeans, so wash it only when it truly needs it, for a longer life. When it does, use a gentle warm cycle with Eucalan wool soap or another natural soap. Dry it on a rack out of the sun, and gently pull the hide to stretch it back into shape.
