I'm currently in Bosnia and have picked up a four pelt sheep skin rug. The texture is very nice but the smell is pretty bad. I've been letting it air out and that has helped a little. Is there any way to get the smell out of this thing? I don't know if its from the preservation process or just the way the locals like it. Any advice would help.
It sounds like it is "in grease" or to put it a different way - it still has Lanolin oil in the wool. It would have to be degreased to remove it, and obviously, then the smell should go away. Or - its the tanning oil they applied to it that smells! Sometimes cheap local oils oxidize and turn a rank smell - Bear grease is a good example! Again - it will have to be degreased. Being in Bosnia however, doesnt make it easy. I'd box it, ship it home, and degrease and reoil it when I got here! Is that possible? You'd better tell someone about it before you ship though - otherwise they may trash it here!