Sheepskin wash mitt

[Moose.]

How long should one of these last? I've had mine for about 5 months and it gets used most weekends, using the two bucket method, but it's now falling apart (a number of tears have formed in it and chunks of wool fallen out).

Is this about how long you'd expect them to last or should I be having words with the online shop I purchased it from?

cheers

[domster]

Sheepskin wash mitts are basically 'wear items' that can have a natural lifespan measured in years - or minutes!

It is all about the after care. If you machine wash and then tumble dry a mitt, then park it in a warmish part of the house semi-dry with a closed cuff, well, it will probably rot within 2-3 days. When they rot or become hard and brittle, the stitching goes and the wool comes out. Premature ageing!

The trick is to always rinse them under a cold tap, to remove the soap and debris. Then squeeze out the water so they are as dry as possible. Then hang them somewhere on a peg with the cuff OPEN to allow air to circulate. Note they have gone nowhere near a machine or tumble drier.

[Moose.]

I've always washed it after use under the cold tap, then squeezed (not wrung) most of the water out before allowing to hang on the line outside. Once dry it's then stored in the house in a cupboard under the kitchen sink.

Guess 5 months in fairly normal then....

[domster]

It's probably not a bad innings, but I share your frustration. Maybe try a good sponge. I have a Schmitt I sometimes use (foam mitt). Not bad at all. Sponges vs mitts is personal preference. Sponges (if soft) keep the dirt on the surface, but you can at least spot it and remove it. Mitts keep the dirt in the pile further from the paint, but it's difficult to spot and remove.

[julianm]

Go to a charity shop & ask if they`ve got any old sheepskin coats - maybe even damaged, Cut each sleeve into 8" strips to give an `open` mitt - 6 per coat & a free dog bed.