About Lambskin

Lambskin is a unique material because of its fibre density. The fibre density of a sheep or lamb skin (21 micron) is approximately 10,000 fibres per square cm. No man-made material can compare with this density and this is why lambskin is especially good a distributing weight. Australian merino wool lambskins are world famous for their fibre density and softness. Clinical studies have proven that the use of lambskin is a cost-effective means of preventing pressure sores. For more information on this study please visit the Medical Journal of Australia www.mja.com.au

Lambcare, originally known as Lambkin, has been supplying lambskin for home health and baby care for over 40 years. All our lambskins come from Australian lambs and the skins are a by-product of the meat industry.  Baby lambskins are tanned using environmentally friendly processes, without the use of harmful chemicals.    

Laughing baby on lambskin Lambcare

Washing and Care

Lambskins do not need regular washing as the wool absorbs moisture and odours and the lanolin (natural oil) in the wool will be better preserved with less washing. A regular shake and exposure to sunlight will minimise dust and dust mites. Lambcare skins can be hand or gentle machine washed and will last many wash cycles with care. We recommend the use of Woolskin lambskin woolwash (available via our shop).  Lambskin, like other woollen products, does not respond well to sudden temperature changes in washing, so a luke warm wash and a luke warm rinse or a cold wash and a cold rinse is best.  Never should laundry products containing enzymes, bleach, alkali, phosphate, peroxide or sanitisers be used on lambskin, these cause irreversible damage, shrinkage and hardening of the leather.  You can tumble dry lambskins on a cool setting or hang to dry in the shade, don’t dry them in direct sunlight as the leather may shrink and harden. It is a good idea to give the leather a gentle stretch while still wet. Lambskin absorbs a lot of water so it may take a couple of days to dry naturally. The wool pile can be brushed with a wire (pet grooming/slicker) brush to restore the pile, especially with long wool lambskins.

What is a Medical Lambskin?

Medical skins are selected according to wool type to provide excellent cushioning and support.  The wool is dense and springy, providing a cushion to distribute and relieve pressure at vulnerable points on the patient’s body.  Medical lambskins (as well as our baby care lambskins) are tanned to be machine washable and will generally last 15 wash cycles or more without losing softness.

Hi-Temp medical sheepskins are tanned in Australia to an Australian Standard AS4480.1 and can be washed in hot water (up to 80°C) to maximise disinfection.These are suitable for hospital or nursing home use and can be washed 50 or more times.  They have an especially dense wool pile and provide excellent cushioning and support for fragile skin.  You can purchase one here https://www.lambcare.com.au/product/australian-medical-sheepskin/

 

Benefits of wool

  • Wool is hydroscopic (can absorb up to 30% of its weight without feeling wet)
  • It is a natural insulator
  • The fibres are serrated, unlike any man-made fibre, allowing the wool to “breathe”
  • Wool is fire retardant
  • Wool is durable
  • Wool finer than 26 microns is soft to touch and gentle on the skin
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