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Sheepskin Seat Cover FAQ

Over the decades, we’ve come to learn a thing or two about sheepskin in general and sheepskin seat covers in particular. Below you’ll find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions.

Q: What are your sheepskin seat covers made of?
A: Our sheepskin seat covers are expertly crafted from select 100% Australian Merino Lamb pelts, which are recognized as the finest wool shearling found anywhere worldwide. They are fully lined with breathable cotton lining and have substantial straps and hooks that fasten them securely beneath your car seat. An overlap stitch fur machine is used to sew the leather side of the shearling to give the finished product a smooth, unified appearance.

Q: What is shearling? Is it the same as sheepskin?
A: Shearling is sheepskin that has gone through a shearing process to obtain a uniform depth of the wool fiber for a more finished looking product.

Q: How thick are your sheepskin seat covers?
A: Our shearling seat covers are 7/8ths of an inch thick. The real value of Australian Merino lamb sheepskin is that the Merino wool is twisted or spiral in nature. Even after the skins have gone thru a straightening process, careful observation will still reveal the spiral fiber. It is this natural structure of the Merino wool that provides superior loft or body to the shearling, making it the best “hand” or best-feeling sheepskin, with superior wearing capabilities.

Q: If sheepskin is a natural insulator, are your seat covers comfortable in summer months?
A: Sheepskin is one of nature’s two finest insulators—the other being goose down. Unlike goose down, however, sheepskin is naturally thermostatic, which means it moderates your body temperature so you stay warm during winter months and cool during summer. A natural choice for quality car seat covers, sheepskin ensures you’ll never be unpleasantly surprised by an icy cold or hot and sticky car seat again.

Q: What are the benefits of having sheepskin seat covers in my car?
A: Superb driving comfort is the most celebrated attribute of sheepskin seat covers, but an added benefit is the enhanced value of your vehicle at trade in time on a new or newer vehicle. Not only do our luxurious seat covers relieve pressure points on your back and legs, but they also protect your seats and keep them looking great for years. Drivers, passengers, and automobile aficionados alike appreciate the long-lasting value of sheepskin seat covers.

Q: How do sheepskin seat covers compare to synthetic ones?
A: Synthetic seat covers only vaguely mimic the elegant appearance of genuine sheepskin seat covers. Moreover, even the highest-end brands offer next to none of the driving comfort and benefits, and their useful life is just a fraction of that of genuine shearling.

Q: Are sheepskin seat covers safe to use?
A: Sheepskin seat covers do not impede or alter any functions of safety or convenience for drivers or passengers. They offer a safe, comfortable ride year round.

Q: Are your seat covers one-size-fits-all or do you have styles for all car models?
A: It’s impossible to offer a one-size-fits-all sheepskin seat cover model because of the wide variation of car seats on the market today. Even the so-called “super fits” are made for either a low back or high back seat, with no provision for fractional seats, bench seats, split bench seats, etc. That’s why we have a wide range of seat cover styles to accommodate nearly any vehicle.

Q: What makes your seat covers better than others on the market?
A: At Overland, we’ve been doing sheepskin for over 36 years. In all that time we’ve learned many invaluable lessons about how to create the best-fitting, most functional sheepskin seat covers. In terms of comfort, quality, and craftsmanship, you simply won’t find a better product on the market. And in terms of satisfaction shopping online, Overland.com has one of the best ratings in the web sales industry—100% in the last month and 99% in the past 3 months, at the time of this writing.

Q: How far will your seat covers come down the back of my car seat?
A: Our standard “double cap” and tailor-made seat covers both cover the entire seating area that comes into contact with the driver or passenger’s body. In addition, a cap or edge of the same shearling pelt will cover the edges of the seat, making for a beautifully uniform appearance. At the top of the seat, there is a second cap that extends 4-6 inches down the back (hence the name double cap). This feature leaves the entire back of the seat open for vehicles that have large seat pockets on the backs of the front seats.

Q: What about headrests?
A: Our decades of experience have shown us that, functionally and aesthetically, it’s better to leave the headrest uncovered. That’s why our sheepskin seat covers all feature a Velcro^® slot in the top for your headrest to easily pull through. If you’d like your headrest covered anyway, we can certainly special order one for you.

Q: Are your seat covers easy to install?
A: It shouldn’t take too long. We also provide you with illustrated, step-by-step instructions that guide you through the installation process every step of the way.

Q: What do I do if my seat covers get wet?
A: Water will not harm shearling, but taking care to dry it properly is critical. Ideally, you should remove the seat cover, lay it on a heavy towel to absorb moisture, and let it air dry. If possible, direct a fan to move room-temperature air over the cover. Do not use artificial heat sources, such as a hot-air hairdryer or a heated radiator. It’s also best to avoid direct sunlight while drying out a wet seat cover.

Q: Will my sheepskin seat covers get dirty easily?
A: The wool fibers of sheepskin are truly amazing, because their molecular structure allows them to naturally shed dirt. Only if you spill something sticky or oily on the covers will they begin to look dirty.

Q: What’s the best way to care for sheepskin seat covers?
A: All it takes is common sense and a few extra minutes here and there. Please refer to the instructions under Caring for Your Sheepskin Seat Covers.

Q: How often should I clean them?
A: It depends on how often you use the seats, how “hard” on them you are, how clean you want the seats to be, and your overall energy level. Every couple of years would be nice, with a good vacuuming every three or four months.

Q: What’s the approximate lifespan of sheepskin seat covers?
A: As we mentioned earlier, a customer recently emailed us and reported that his seat covers were still like new after more than 11 years. However, we all know there are people who could wear out a Sherman tank on one weekend family outing. Bottom line: if you treat your sheepskin seat covers right, they’ll last you for years.

Q: How can I find the perfect sheepskin seat covers for my automobile?
A: Finding the right sheepskin seat covers for your car is as easy as selecting your car make and model from our easy-to-use Sheepskin Seat Cover Finder.

If you still have unanswered questions about sheepskin seat covers, just email seatcovers@overland.com or call our friendly, helpful Customer Service representatives toll-free at (800) 881-9130.

Sheepskin Seat Covers: Find your perfect pair today!