# Removing fabric dye from sheepskin **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 29, 2005, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-fabric-dye-from-sheepskin/337567 "2005-12-29T13:17:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cat\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/96bed5/32.png) [@Cat\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Jones)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-fabric-dye-from-sheepskin/337567/1 "2005-12-29T13:17:40Z")
Guess who just splashed dark blue fabric dye onto her neutral coloured Christmas present slippers ? :smack: Not sure if this should go in Café Soc but there is a factual answer I’m sure. The dye packaging doesn’t list the active ingredients but it was one of those sachets where you add boiling water to realse the dye then soak the fabric in hot salted water for 20 mins before allwoing it to cool and then rinsing in cold water. Any suggestions for removing the drip marks from the slippers ? ---
**Author:** ![Ponster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponster/32/17081_2.png) [@Ponster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponster)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-fabric-dye-from-sheepskin/337567/2 "2005-12-29T14:25:55Z")
Wash the slipper in hot water with some washing-up liquid (detergent) and then soak in a solution of bleach l(iquid chlorine) and water. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/96bed5/32.png) [@Cat\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Jones)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-fabric-dye-from-sheepskin/337567/3 "2005-12-29T14:38:00Z")
OK but most people say don’t soak sheepskin Man I Love … ---
**Author:** ![Ponster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponster/32/17081_2.png) [@Ponster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponster)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-fabric-dye-from-sheepskin/337567/4 "2005-12-29T15:29:13Z")
You’re not supposed to soak sheepskin when washing but we’re talking about stain removal here and whatever chance my method has of working, I doubt you’ll find anything else that doesn’t involve soaking. Can the worst result of soaking be worse than leaving them as they are now? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/96bed5/32.png) [@Cat\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Jones)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-fabric-dye-from-sheepskin/337567/5 "2005-12-29T15:39:55Z")
dagnabit you’re right, again. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ponster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponster/32/17081_2.png) [@Ponster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponster)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-fabric-dye-from-sheepskin/337567/6 "2005-12-29T15:42:02Z")
Genuine Sheepskin Footwear Sheepskin Slippers If the footwear is to be used outdoors, we recommend the use of a Water & Stain Repellent suitable for sheepskin footwear. Light stains can be removed using a damp cloth. A more thorough cleaning can be achieved using a sheepskin/leather footwear Cleaner & Conditioner. Alternatively Hand wash in cold (water not to exceed 50 degrees Fahrenheit) using a mild detergent. We recommend Eucalan® WOOL WASH. Please only use detergents which are non-alkaline, non-iconic and do not contain biological enzymes. Bleach / enzymes counter-act the tanning process causing damage to the sheepskin. Do not use fabric softeners. Do NOT put sheepskin footwear in the washing machine. After washing, remove excess water using paper towel, and if required reshape by stuffing with dry paper towels. Allow to dry naturally and slowly, avoiding direct sunlight. Do not place in Dryer, excessive heat may damage the genuine sheepskin fur and the leather. [http://www.sheepskinfactory.com/careinstructions.htm](http://www.sheepskinfactory.com/careinstructions.htm)