Vintage Horse Hair Sporran

[A Robertson]

Dear Rabble. I have just aquired a 'vintage' horse hair sporran - I am very pleased with it. It is 'white' with two black tassels. I say 'white' because as it is 'vintage', the 'white' hairs have faded to a straw colour. OK. my question! - Should I leave it as it is, or, should I try and brighten the white hair? Does anyone know how to do this? Bleach? Soap and water? Your opinions will be greatly appreciated! Many Thanks.

[Tobus]

I would leave it as-is. That's character, man!

I've never seen a pure-white horsehair sporran anyway. They virtually always have yellowing. And being the owner of horses with white manes and tails, I completely understand why.

[artificer]

Dear Rabble. I have just aquired a 'vintage' horse hair sporran - I am very pleased with it. It is 'white' with two black tassels. I say 'white' because as it is 'vintage', the 'white' hairs have faded to a straw colour. OK. my question! - Should I leave it as it is, or, should I try and brighten the white hair? Does anyone know how to do this? Bleach? Soap and water? Your opinions will be greatly appreciated! Many Thanks.

Don't try to brighten it. If you can suspend the piece so the hair hangs downward you can give it a gentle wash with a very delicate soap and pat it dry. This may take away some of the grime of age, but the hair will still most likely have
some yellowing.

Then you can use a conditioner meant for horses to restore the sheen. Cowboy Magic works wonders.

Old dry hair should NOT be bleached, as it can damage the hair.

ith:

[JohntheBiker]

Absolutely agree with Tobus and artificer on this one. I have a vintage "white" horse hair sporran that gets worn infrequently and is hung and covered the rest of the time. Wouldn't think of trying to whiten it.

[seumasFinn]

reminds me of another MacAuslan story by Fraser...

I have a post 53 OR. The hair is a bit straw colored.

[creagdhubh]

Don't try to brighten it. If you can suspend the piece so the hair hangs downward you can give it a gentle wash with a very delicate soap and pat it dry. This may take away some of the grime of age, but the hair will still most likely have
some yellowing.

Then you can use a conditioner meant for horses to restore the sheen. Cowboy Magic works wonders.

Old dry hair should NOT be bleached, as it can damage the hair.

ith:

***

Leave it alone. I used Cowboy Magic on my horsehair sporran (before eventually selling it) in order to keep the hair conditioned and it worked very well!



Cheers,

[OC Richard]

The sporrans in the old days were probably never pure white to begin with, but a natural blonde colour.

Most new horsehair sporrans are that colour even today.