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Thread: Sheepskin rug, curled and hard backing

  1. #1
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    Question Sheepskin rug, curled and hard backing

    Hello,

    This post pertains to a white sheepskin rug (3'x2') that had a small amount of dog feces that was cleaned
    with water and a small amount of Dawn detergent and Woolite applied, then rinsed in tap water. Subsequently
    the backing of the hide became hardened and slightly discolored. The fur side seems unharmed, I combed it out
    so it does not appear matted. Now I'm ready to refurbish it with the products (kit) purchased at Leather Doctor.

    I'd appreciate a simple step by step method to restore it to the supple fur rug it was in the past.

    Thank you!

  2. #2
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    >> This post pertains to a white sheepskin rug (3'x2')

    Sheepskin is an amphoteric material, with an average acidic pH value between 3 and 5.
    Alkaline solution, above the pH value of 7 will weakens the ionic positive (+ve) charge, shifting it negative (-ve) between the leather ionic negative (-ve) constituents like the tanning agent and the fatliquor. Breaking or hydrogen bond from the tanning agent will result into tackiness and the fatliquor into stiffness.


    >>> that had a small amount of dog feces

    Fresh deposit may by mildly alkaline above pH 7 averaging 7.23 to 7.43 depending on the diets.

    Urine: Urine is a compound waste discharge, comprises of urochrome, uric acid and the ammonium salt to deal with. When deposited urine attracts the natural bacteria from the atmosphere and starts to ferments, a putrid odor will develop from the protein component of the urine and ammonic odor will develop from the ammonium salt. When ammonic odor becomes present, the pH of the contamination would have shifted to 10. Such high pH above the neutral average 3 to 5 of leather causes the amphoteric protein fiber to shift ionic negative (-ve); that causes the protein fibers to repels its other ionic negative (-ve) constituents like the tanning agent, fatliquor and dyestuff. Behaving just like the attraction of a magnet, like poles repel. When the leather constituent breaks hydrogen bond with the protein fiber, the leather starts to denature and revert to rawhide. A typical appearance of an aged or compounded contamination is a darkening effect from the fugitive tanning agents, a whitening effect from the fatliquor. Fugitive dyestuff or bleeding is only apparent from a white towel detection and yellowing from the urochrome. The denaturing or reverting to rawhide effect of the leather is further confirmed by tackiness or in worst-case sliminess in the present of moisture. The leach out fatliquor results in stiffness and fugitive dyestuff results in discoloration. A systematic sequence of decontamination approach includes surface residue removal with CleanUrine-1.5 (pH 1.5), and rinse with Acidifier-2.0 (pH 2.0) recharging the protein fiber ionic positive (+ve) and neutralizing the ammonium salt with KillUrine-2.1 (pH 2.1). Utilizing such a low pH treatment retards bacteria activities from off gassing putrid odors, a natural pH control without the need to use bactericide or fungicide for mold prevention. Therefore, urine is a type of soiling that will require a biochemistry approach to decontaminate it. Restoring the leather begins after decontamination with Hydrator-3.3, a pH 3.3 multifunctional product that has ionic positive (+ve) charging abilities, an active surfactantcy essential for foreign water movement within the inter-fibrillary spaces to redistribute the leather constituents and purging foreign contamination to resurface. This is the last of the wet cleaning process to remove suspended urochrome yellowish compound through visible white tissue paper as an extension of the leather in the wicking process as the leather dries naturally. Only then, without a trace of the urine stain that Fatliquor-5.0 (pH 5.0) replenishing commences. The emulsified fat and oil encased water molecule breaks free when hydrogen bond attraction takes place between the fat and oil with the protein fiber, leaving a breathing space essential for leather transpiration to function naturally. The fat plumps the leather with fullness from easily collapsing into creases and wrinkles during stress or flex, while the oil lubricates the fibers so that they slide over one another like millions of inter-connecting hinges with smoothness. One important unique characteristic of leather is suppleness with strength and much depends on the fatliquor, in this holistic approach to effective leather urine decontamination and restoration. For severe neglected cases with finishes damages as seen in this picture, refinishing commences after leather suppleness restoration.


    >>> that was cleaned with water


    Water has a neutral pH value of 7, leather has a neutral pH value of 4. The difference is 1000 times in ionic value imbalance.


    >>> and a small amount of Dawn detergent

    Dawn detergent has a pH value of = 8.7 to 9.3 (a 100,000 times ionic imbalance from pH 4 to pH 9).


    >>> and Woolite applied,

    Woolite has a pH value of 8


    >>> then rinsed in tap water.

    Tap water has a pH value average 7.


    >>> Subsequently the backing of the hide became hardened


    Hardened is due to the accumulated alkalinity that cause the breaking of the hydrogen bond between the protein fiber and the fatliquor.


    >>> and slightly discolored.

    Discoloration is due the over powering alkalinity still present that need to be balance until the original colors is restored with leather-safe acidity (leather cleaning products that has a pH value less then 7).


    >>> The fur side seems un-harmed, I combed it out so it does not appear matted. Now I'm ready to refurbish it with the products (kit) purchased at Leather Doctor. I'd appreciate a simple step by step method to restore it to the supple fur rug it was in the past.

    Here is a standard for urine and feces decontamination using the Leather Doctor system . . .

    A - Dry Soil Removing: SuedeBrush-2 > SuedeEraser-5 > Vacuuming system: A1 - Dry Soil removal is performed first to the suede side by SuedeEraser-5 then follows by vacuuming. A2 - The reverse wool side cleaning continues in similar sequence with HideBrush-5 or a slicker comb then follows by vacuuming.

    B - Suede-side general Spot Cleaning & pH balancing Browning Discoloration: CleanUrine-1.5 > Acidifier-2.0 system: B1 - Start with the suede side by placing a thick terry cotton towel on the reverse wool side to absorb any flushing through. B2 - Apply CleanUrine-1.5 and brush with SuedeEraser-5 /HideBrush-4 at an angle gently (not to cut into the soft suede) to penetrate the stain and towel extract until towel shows clean. B3 - Apply Acidifier-2.0 and repeat as above until towel shows clean. Purpose of this process is to rectify the pH imbalance browning discoloration.

    C - Wool-side general Spot Cleaning & pH balancing Browning Discoloration: CleanUrine-1.5 > Acidifier-2.0 system. C1 - Reverse to the wool-side facing up and place a new thick terry cotton towel beneath to absorb any flushing through. C2 - Apply CleanUrine-1.5, brush with SuedeEraser-5 / HairBrush-4 and towel extract until towel shows clean. C3 - Apply Acidifier-2.0 and repeat as above until towel shows clean. Purpose of this process is to rectify the pH imbalance browning discoloration.

    D - Urine Neutralizing: KillUrine-2.1 system: Note-1: Strong odor will dissipate once the products is fully exhausted. Note-2: Ensure that moisture content is fully extracted from both sides, yet still moist prior to neutralizing it. Note-3: Handle with care when skin is stiff from drying. Note-4: Any rings on the suede side may be removed by Hydrator-3.3 using Towel-T5 ‘reverse-transfer’ technique during the suede-side rejuvenating process. D1 - Start by applying KillUrine-2.1 to the suede side saturating it, place a new dry terry cotton towel underneath before turning the wool side facing up. D2 - Apply KillUrine-2.1 again to the wool side, groom onto the lay side and let the product works through until it dries. D3 - Inspect for improve of ammoniac smell when dry to satisfaction; otherwise reapply for another round as above. D4 - Strong product odor will also dissipate once it is exhausted. Purpose of this process is to kill the active ammonia content from denaturing or causing dry rotting to the skin.

    E - General Cleaning Suede Side: CleanSuede-3.8 > RinseSuede-3.0 system: E1 - CleanSuede-3.8 is applied and brushes at an angle with SuedeEraser-5 / HideBrush-4 and towel extract until towel shows clean. E2 - RinseSuede-3.0 is applied, brush and towel extract until towel shows clean. Purpose of this process is a general cleaning and pH balancing close to the pH neutral of the skin.

    F - Suede-Side Rejuvenating: Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 system: F1 - Rings if any is removed by saturating the spots beyond the rings with Hydrator-3.3 and Towel-5 is wet stretched over void of air space with a soft brush and let to natural dry, in this ‘reverse transfer’ technique. F2 - When crispy dry the towel is peel off. F3 - The entire surface is applied again with Hydrator-3.3 for an overall inspection for rings or oily patches, breaking any surface tension prior to Fatliquor-5.0 replenishing it. F4 - Fatliquor-5.0 is applied evenly for an even absorption up to the desired fat and oil content of 15% when dry, read with a leather moisture meter to ensure suppleness from cracking. F5 - When almost dry or about 25% combined moisture level it is roll-flex for increase suppleness to lay flat especially around the edges and cleaning on the wool side may commence. F6 - To improve flatness, ironing on a wool setting over a white printing paper helps removes unwanted wrinkles (ensure that fatliquor moisture content levels allows this process otherwise top it up and repeat).

    G - General Cleaning Wool Side: CleanWool-5.5 > RinseWool-4.0 system: G1 - CleanWool-5.5 is applied and brush in the direction of the lay and towel extract until towel shows clean. G2 - RinseWool-4.0 is applied and brush again in the direction of the lay and towel extract until towel shows clean. G3 - The wool is let to dry naturally.

    H - Non-Stick, Silky-Feel Conditioning: Protector-S/S+: H1 - Protector-S (scentless) or Protector-S+ (leather-scented) is spray and brush the wool in the direction of the lay and let to dry naturally. H2 - When dry, groom to bloom with HideBrush-5 or slicker comb and it is ready for use.

    Name:  RogerKoh-email.jpg
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    Roger Koh
    Leather, Skin & Hair Care System Formulator
    Consultant / Practitioner / Instructor / Coaching
    web: www.leatherdoctor.com
    forum: www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com
    email: [email protected]
    Last edited by Roger Koh; 05-07-2018 at 11:34 PM.

  3. #3
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    I have a question regarding "roll flex" can you please explain that process. Does the hide side need to be perfectly dry before reapplying
    the Hydrator 3.3 a second time?

  4. #4
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    >>> I have a question regarding "roll flex" can you please explain that process.

    Like to know where you get this "roll flex" info, before I explain?


    >>> Does the hide side need to be perfectly dry before reapplying the Hydrator-3.3 a second time?

    When still damp you may proceed for a second application (Hydrator-3.3 is only the pre-conditioner, it is the Fatliquor-5.0 that imparts the suppleness).
    Recommend that the skin is roll massaged from near dry to dry for extra softness.

    Please show your progressive result for answers.

  5. #5
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    You mentioned "roll flex" in the "Suede side rejuvenating" portion of the instructions to me. Thank you

  6. #6
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    See attached photo



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  7. #7
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    >>> You mentioned "roll flex" in the "Suede side rejuvenating" portion of the instructions to me. Thank you

    The skin can be fold either way, wool facing wool, or skin facing skin, and rolling it, with massaging and stretching.


    >>> See attached photo

    The browning shows pH imbalance and will need to rectify with low pH products - see what products you still have that can further reduce the browning prior to Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 > Hydrator-3.3 rejuvenating.

    Note the Leather Doctor's product name suffix denotes the pH value, example RinseSuede-3.0 has a pH value of 3.0, RinseWool-4.0 has a pH value of 4.0, and Acidifier-2.0 has a pH value of 2.0.

  8. #8
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    Thank you, I'll go forward with your recommendations regarding browning first before applying the Hydrator-3.3 for a second time.

  9. #9
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    In the, Leather Doctor, kit I purchased to restore my rug's backing I did not get an acidifier. Is there any other type of acidifier that I can use?

  10. #10
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    Acidifier-2.0 is not found in the Sheepskin Care Kit-Sr3
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    It is found is this Kit-Sr5.uk - Sheepskin Rug Urine Killer Kit
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Size:  2.29 MB

    or as individual refills found here:
    http://www.leatherdoctor.com/acidifier-2-0/

    >>> Is there any other type of acidifier that I can use?
    In the Kit-Sr3 CleanSuede-3.0 and RinseWool-4.0 may be used, but does not have the strength as Acidifier-2.0.

    In the Kit-Sr5.uk the lowest pH system is by CleanPro-1.5 > Acidifier-2.0 to pH balance away the browning appearance.

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