Ecological Approaches for Protecting and Perfuming Natural Sheepskin Fur

Fur and leather have been among the first materials used for clothing and bodily decoration. It is known that Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis used fur clothing. Even though the invention of inexpensive synthetic textiles for insulating clothing led to fur clothing falling out of fashion, fur is still worn in most cool climates around the world such due to its superior warmth and durability. In addition, a huge number of furs exists in the ethnography and anthropology museums around the world. The storage and conservation of furs, old and modern, is still challenging for both conservators and population because most commercial products are highly toxic for humans and environment. We therefore tried to control or limit the damage caused by external factors and insects by using green finishing and maintenance treatments. It is known that essential oils, known for their special perfume, can be used to repel insects. Mint, cedar, lavender oils were hence tested to treat sheepskin furs as a final finishing operation. In addition, the use of new products based on natural oils, ethyl alcohol, nonionogenic surfactants from the class of polyethoxylated fatty acids and of polyethylene glycols, and cationic surfactants (quaternary ammonium salts) were tested and proved they contribute to both perfuming and improving the resistance of furs to moths.