Noryageur Sheepskin Questions & Answers
Authentic. Natural. Unique.
- What is sheepskin, exactly?
- Sheepskin Coloring
- What’s the difference between natural sheepskins & dyed sheepskins?
- What is a natural sheepskin?
- Sheepskin rugs & Sizing
- Sheepskin Thickness and Density
- Do sheepskins shed wool?
- What does sheepskin feel like?
- What does the backside of a sheepskin rug look like?
- How do I clean my sheepskin rug?
- Where do your sheepskins come from?
- Are sheepskin rugs ethical?
- Authentic Genuine Sheepskins vs. their faux counterparts?
- Do sheepskins smell?
- What’s the difference between sheepskin types?
- First time Buyer?
What is sheepskin, exactly?
A sheepskin is the skin of a Lamb or sheep that’s tanned with the wool (fur) still attached to the skin. Genuine sheepskin rugs are a whole animal hide or pelt with nothing glued or manufactured. This is exactly why each sheepskin pelt rug we sell will never be alike! Each sheepskin has its own unique markings and shape.
“Sheepskin rug” is the term used to describe a sheepskin pelt or hide tanned with its wool still attached. It’s not to be confused with solely being suitable for the floor in your home. Depending on your household and lifestyle, a sheepskin rug may or may not be suitable for use on the floor at all. Many clients use sheepskin rugs as a decorative accent piece, sofa throw or to add warmth and comfort to their favorite chair.
Sheepskin Coloring
We do our best to display the true natural colors of each sheepskin. Due to monitor settings, this may vary from one device to another. Natural sheepskins display a multitude of colors and markings as seen in the photos. Depending on the lighting and colors in your home, the sheepskin may have different color tones more visible.
- Natural sheepskins can have a variety of tones such as cream, white, gray, black, brown and tan. Natural sheepskins can display all the colors in a single hide or show a combination of some of those colors listed above.
- Natural white sheepskins will NEVER be solid white but vary from a cream, ivory and some with a tingle of lanolin which makes the sheep’s wool appear slightly yellow.
- Natural Black sheepskin rugs can range from very black to a deep brown black with reddish highlights due to sun exposure.
- Natural brown sheepskin displays a variety of shades from very light brown to a dark chocolate brown.
What’s the difference between natural sheepskins & dyed sheepskins?
The largest difference is that one is left in its natural state, while the other has dye added to create a more uniform color.
Natural Sheepskin Characteristics
- Natural sheepskins have a more untamed look since their wool is completely undyed and left the way nature made it.
- Natural Sheepskins will have a large variety of colors, markings and lots of personality.
- The wool length and feel will vary with each hide since our skins come from sheep not specifically raised for their pelts alone.
- They can be used outdoors, on sunny patios and bright rooms without fading or changing color.
- They have a light pleasant natural sheep scent that dyed sheepskins really don’t have.
Dyed Sheepskin Characteristics
- Dyed sheepskins have a more uniform color and appearance, although dye lots can vary slightly from one another.
- Some dyes can be very toxic to the environment. Noryageur offers only eco-dyed sheepskins sourced from a Polish tannery that specialize in environmentally friendly skins.
- Sheepskins that have been dyed should not be exposed to UV rays since they with fade and change color as with most manmade materials.
- Dyed sheepskins are to be dry cleaned only if they become soiled. However, you will find that brushing, shaking out and periodically airing outdoors in the shade especially in the cold air is all that’s needed.
What is a natural sheepskin?
Natural sheepskin is one of the most misused terms in the industry! By definition, when dealing with pelts, natural is a term that tells consumers the product is natural without dyes or any other products to alter the hides’ color.
If the sheepskin is pointed, dyed, bleached, or artificially colored, it is NOT natural and should not be marketed or advertised with the term natural.
Sheepskin rugs & Sizing
All sheepskin measurements provided on our website are approximate, as each hide is measured individually by hand and photographed.
We follow the industry-standard method of measuring diagonally across the entire wool surface at its widest and longest points.
In 2025, we began taking photos of each hide’s backside instead of the wool face. Using this measuring method allows you to see the actual skin size and get a better sense of the wool length.
Sheepskin Thickness and Density
Each sheepskin rug is ONE OF A KIND and is unique since these pieces are not factory created. No two will ever be exactly alike. We have come up with our own method for you to determine the thickness and density of each sheepskin rug so you can compare. We take each sheepskin pelt and fold it in half, then ball it in three folds and place it on a chair.
This lets you visually compare the loft and similarly sized sheepskins before you buy, a level of transparency no other sheepskin retailer offers.
Please be aware, Icelandic sheepskins can be deceiving since they’re just hairy fluff balls of wool with a hairy flat pile.
Do sheepskins shed wool?
Sheepskins have no shedding, slight shedding and some more than others. The important thing is that, YES, the shedding does come to an end and does not last forever. Most sheepskins we carry have little to no shedding at all and we take the time and effort to brush each sheepskin prior to shipment. Chair pads and stitched rugs may have slightly more shedding at first due to cutting the edges of the hides.
The sheepskins that shed the least are Icelandic Long wool and shorn wool sheepskins, sewn sheepskin multi-pelt rugs have slight shedding and that’s only due to the fact that the pelts were cut to sew into a larger piece, not because the actual hides are shedding wool.
What does sheepskin feel like?
Sheepskin can vary in feel and we try to describe the feel of each sheepskin we have so you can decide what’s best for you! Our sheepskin rug offering DO NOT feel like a scratchy old wool sweater (unless otherwise noted). Most of our sheepskin ranges from silky soft to touch, to very soft to touch, some with a more woolly soft feel. After all, it is wool! The wool feel typically depends on the breed of sheep and the age of the sheep.
What does the backside of a sheepskin rug look like?
The backside of a sheepskin rug has a suede finish. We do not expect the suede side of the sheepskin rug to be flawless since it’s what they call a “single face sheepskin”. Since each sheepskin rug is hand trimmed, the shape of each sheepskin will be different. Our sheepskin hides come from meticulously cared for stock, only. You will not find large scars, holes, and major damage to the sheep’s skin.
How do I clean my sheepskin rug?
Please note, cleaning instructions are for our sheepskin rugs. Directions from each retailer may differ and you should only clean your Noryageur sheepskin rug according to our guidelines stated below. Keep in mind you would never throw your Italian leather jacket in a tub of water and you really should never soak the leather on your sheepskin either.
If you need extensive or a very thorough cleaning, we recommend sending your sheepskin to be dry cleaned or learn how to DIY clean your sheepskin rug by visiting this page (not affiliated to us in anyway but provides an AMAZING tutorial that we couldn’t even begin to outdo!) https://cleaninghow.to/the-step-by-step-guide-to-easily-clean-your-sheepskin-rug/
Sheepskin rugs that are used daily by you or a pet should be shaken & brushed out monthly/weekly to maintain a beautiful appearance and remain fresh.
Sheepskins, used as an accent piece or infrequently sat upon, should be shaken & brushed out periodically to maintain a beautiful appearance and remain fresh.
We recommend hanging your sheepskin outside to air out, especially when the weather is cold for a few hours.
Large sheepskin area rugs, if possible, can be shaken out carefully and aired periodically. Alternatively, vacuum weekly using the suction only setting.
Periodic spot cleaning is done using a no rinse wool wash diluted in a spray bottle and sprayed over the entire wool surface or area of the sheepskin’s wool that needs cleaning and gently wiped in one direction. Never rub & scrub the sheep’s wool when wet. Hang your sheepskin to dry in a warm airy location in the shade, never near a hot stove or full sun.
Once a year during spring cleaning we clean all our personal sheepskins fleece with kookaburra wool wash.
Where do your sheepskins come from?
The majority of our sheepskins come from European countries with rigorous environmental, labor, and health standards, regulations that are actually more stringent than those in the United States. We have relationships with several small, generational tanneries. Exact country of origin information for the skins we offer for sale is fully posted to the best of our ability on each sheepskin product page.
Why Europe and not the USA?
Mutton and lamb are dietary staples throughout much of Europe (not so much in the USA), which means sheepskin pelts are readily available as by-products of the meat industry. These hides would otherwise be discarded, and we’re committed to a zero-waste philosophy by giving them new purpose.
Europe’s climate is ideal for raising sheep and lambs. The animals graze freely on open land rather than being confined to feedlots. This natural, pasture-based lifestyle results in exceptionally clean wool, happy sheep and less injuries to their skin.
Our European sheepskins when raw are acquired from several countries in Europe including the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Iceland and the UK, each offering totally unique qualities.
Asian Sheepskins
We offer select sheepskins native to China, including pelts from the rare Tibetan sheep (also known as Mongolian lambskins). These sheep are raised free-roaming in open pastures, and all pelts are by-products of the meat industry, not harvested solely for their fur. These skins are some of the softest lightest weight fluffy fur hides around! Mongolian sheepskins are among my personal absolute favorite when used as garments and as luxury throws due to their feather-lite weight, each hide only weighing approximately 8oz.
Are sheepskin rugs ethical?
Sheepskin rugs are not just a fashion statement, they are also a way of life. Humans have used them for centuries to keep people warm and comfortable in inhospitable environments. The question, whether these rugs are ethical is one that many people often ask themselves, and the answer to this question is not as simple as it may seem.
- We believe our sheepskin rugs we sell are indeed ethical and a sustainable product for the reasons listed below.
- The sheep are born free and live wild on open land until they’re rounded up. They do not contend with the stress of living in barns or being fenced in small spaces daily.
- The sheep provide many natural products such as fiber, meat, milk, & lanolin
- They do not kill the sheep for their sheepskins, their sheepskins are simply a byproduct. They would otherwise throw sheepskin pelts in the trash. Instead, they’re made into a beautiful, functional product.
Authentic Genuine Sheepskins vs. their faux counterparts?
Facts are UNDENIABLE! Genuine Sheepskins are a renewable resource, they’re Eco-friendly, recyclable, re-workable biodegradable & earth friendly!!! Especially natural sheepskins, without dye! Speaking of which, I have a Vintage Genuine Sheepskin B3 Bomber that’s over 40 years old and still looks as good as new! A faux leather jacket will not last a season or two, let alone 40 years without splitting, cracking and flaking.
Faux fur is made of plastic, need we say more? Plastic and micro plastic contamination is a HUGE problem around the world and your cheap faux fur purchase once thrown away will take thousands of years to biodegrade, if ever! Do a quick google search and see for yourself.
Faux leather is over 50% – 70% urethane to hold the apple, mushroom or whatever fad that’s happening this year together.
Urethane falls somewhere in the middle of plastic and rubber and is toxic. Why do you think a lot of states banned the use of urethane floor finishes?
Yes, no animals are immediately harmed when making this product. In the end, faux products not only hurt animals, but certainly impact us all.
The long-lasting impact on the earth is immeasurable, since these faux furs and leathers are not biodegradable and have a very short lifespan.
Faux fur and leather usually only last a season whereas a cared for genuine product will last for years with proper care.
Terms used interchangeably
Sheep pelt, sheep pelts, sheepskin, sheep skin, sheepskins, sheepskin skins, sheepskin rug, lambskin rug
Meaning: A tanned and preserved skin of a sheep with the wool still attached
Do sheepskin rugs have odor, if so what do they smell like?
Sheepskin rugs are not void of odor since they’re a natural product. Similar to Jute, a leather jacket or a damp wool sweater a sheepskin will also have a distinct scent. Our sheepskins are rinsed with a light scented shampoo during their final tanning stages.
Scents present differ based on opinion and persons’ experience in nature. They include:
- Sheep leather. The sheep’s leather is still attached to the wool, so this is expected.
- Shampoo fragrance, especially if the sheepskin was just tanned.
- Lanolin &/or Sheepy, for obvious reasons…
Scent is always exacerbated in the warm summer months and the strongest scent is first noticed upon unpacking due to being suffocated in a box.
What’s the difference between different types of sheepskins?
Holland sheepskins, AKA sheepskins from Netherlands often being from the Texel or Dutch Spotted breed. These skins are soft, thick, large and lofty! Their hides are often as wide at the bottom as they are on the top compared to typical sheepskins that taper in width as they go towards the neck of the hide.
Icelandic Sheepskins, a rare heritage breed has long flowing wool that’s soft, hair like that collapses flat. They drape amazingly and make great chair or sofa throws but many also love to use them as rugs on the floor. We also offer a short 2″ sheared version of genuine icelandic sheepskins that are so soft, plush and simply wonderful for a low fuss sheepskin.
Albanian lambskins are some of the softest baby pelts ever! Their fur is slippery soft! Being lambskins they’re very unsubstantial but are obsessively touchable due to their inexplicably soft wool
Mongolian / Tibetan: Exceptionally light and silky, closer to fur than classic sheepskin. Highly packable and low-maintenance. Available in natural white, white with brown spots, black with white spots, and brown with white spots. No dyed options.
Pure Breed Gotland: A distinct Swedish breed prized for its naturally curly, silver-gray wool with an almost sculptural, lustrous quality. We also Gotland crossbreed sheepskins that vary wildly in feel and texture with most being a shade of gray!
Swedish Sheepskin: Unimaginably soft and supple, with a refined, silky character that sets it apart from every other variety. Once you feel it, nothing else quite compares.
Rare Breed English: Refined and classic often available in a cream color and often having light tan spots. Their wool is dense & soft.
German Rare Breed: These skins are from Bentheimer Landschaf, Deutsches Schwarzköpfiges Fleischschaf & Weißköpfiges Fleischschaf sheep! They’re exceptionally rare and not available year round. The only thing consistent within the German sheep is that they’re silky soft and remarkably unique! When shopping for a German sheepskin the hide’s specific details and photographs can been seen on the product page. These skins are truly ONE-OF-A-KIND and will be in stock for a limited time October 2026.
First time Buyer?
We highly recommend you contact us prior to purchase if you feel confused, overwhelmed or don’t know where to start! Be sure to include certain expectations you have, such as thickness, softness or a specified use. We love helping customers, so they get exactly what they want and have a joyful experience. Our email is info@noryageur.com
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