Sheepskin

Sheepskin is commonly known as the tanned hide of a sheep with the pelt (fleece) intact. Used for clothing (including hats, coats, boots, gloves), seat covers, blankets, saddle pads and throw rugs. Uncommon uses for sheepskin include vellum (parchment made from animal skin) and condoms (made from intestinal lining).

Fleece provides excellent insulation and is resistant to fire and static electricity.http://www.whooga.com/?p=sheepskin-boothttp://www.buzzle.com/articles/sheepskin-slippers.html Sheepskin is used medically to prevent bedsores. When people are confined to bed rest or a wheelchair, pressure sores and friction is a serious problem. By using specially treated and cut sheepskin prevention is the best cure. Sheepskin footwear is excellent for diabetics.http://medicalsheepskins.com

Sheepskin is often used for seat covers. Sheepskin seat covers can prevent pressure sores from long hauls. It contributes to the preservation of the quality of your car seat's original condition and provides uniform comfort against freezing cold or blistering heat if you have to get in and sit down right away.

Many people use sheepskin products and simply toss and replace them when they get dingy or too matted to be comfortable. It is possible to greatly extend the life of your sheepskin products through proper care, by doing the following:

1. Shake them out.
2. Use a wool brush (aka wool card or slicker brush) to separate the fiber pile and pull dirt up to be vacuumed.
3. Dry cleaning (tell your cleaners it's a wool/leather product) is preferred but it is possible to hand wash smaller/thinner pieces in lukewarm water and mild soap specially formulated for sheepskin. Rinse thoroughly and dry without using direct heat. Stretch the skin to prevent shrinkage. Brush with a coarse pet brush to restore the coats softness and luster.
4. Shake, brush and vacuum at least once a month.
   
   

Sheepskin boots and insoles provide warmth during the winter months.http://www.garneauslippers.com/ Sheepskin (lambskin) condoms are the oldest type of condom, and still available in some places. Unlike latex, sheepskin condoms provide warmth, are biodegradable, and may be used with oil-based lubricants.http://www.undercovercondoms.com/condomphotos/Naturalamb1.jpg However, they are more porous than latex, and do not protect against STDs and AIDS/HIV. Like all forms of birth control if you don't use the device properly they don't work. Read all instructions.http://www.thebody.com/content/art2278.html

Sheepskin vellum isn't tanned. It's limed and stretched. Use of animal skins to write on is documented as far back as 5th century BC.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/502342.stm