What Is Sheepskin Wool?
Sheepskin is traditionally produced in New Zealand and Australia, where there is a large sheep-herding industry. This fabric was recently popularized by the Ugg boots trend. Sturdy, warm and soft to the touch, sheepskin can be made into various products, including clothing.
-
History
-
Sheepskin was traditionally used by sheep herders in Australia and New Zealand. In World War I, pilots wore shoes made out of it in unpressurized planes. During the 1960s and 1970s, swimmers and surfers wore them to keep their feet warm when coming out of the water.
Qualities of Sheepskin
-
Sheepskin is the hide of a sheep with the fleece still intact. It is a good insulator, due to the wool attached to the skin. It is resistant to static, flame and water. Sheepskin is washable and contains the natural moisturizer lanolin, which is produced by sheep to keep water from permeating their coats. Sheepskin is strong, so keeps its shape and resists tears and wrinkling. Sheep wool is also considered hypoallergenic.
-
Uses of Sheepskin
-
Because of the many beneficial qualities of sheepskin, its uses are varied and plentiful. Sheepskin is perfect for winter clothes. Other sheepskin winter gear includes hats, mittens, scarves and coats. It's also found in equestrian equipment, like numnahs, saddle seat covers, sheepskin horse boots, tack linings and girth tubes. Other sheepskin products include blankets, rugs, pet beds, bedding, mattress pads and baby pads.
Medical Uses
-
Because it is able to isolate well and also breathe, sheepskin mattress pads, blankets and other products are used for medical use. Medical-grade sheepskin products are mostly used for bed sores and ulcers.
Concerns about Animal Rights
-
As the demand for sheepskin products rose in 2000 and on, the animal rights movement became concerned. Sheepskin is an animal product that involves the slaughter of animals, so many organizations called for a boycott for sheepskin and replacements with alternative and synthetic material.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit sheepskin gloves image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com
