Fur Care and Cleaning
STORAGE AND CARE BASICS
- USE THE RIGHT HANGAR
- Your fur coat/vest should always be hung on a broad, sturdy padded hanger to keep the shoulders from losing their shape over time. No one likes it when they store their item in a closet for a few months, only to come back and see their jacket having those “hangar bumps” poking out from the shoulders.
- NO DUST BUNNIES
- Unless you are wearing the jacket every day (most are not), use a 100% cotton bag (or a breathable cloth bag) to keep dust out of the fur. Do not hang a fur in a plastic bag that doesn't breathe. The fur needs air circulation to keep the hide from drying out and cracking. This prolongs the life of the jacket overall.
- MATTING AND FLAT SPOTS
- Do not leave jewelry pinned to your coat as it can mat down the fur. When wearing your jacket, do not use a shoulder bag or purse consistently because it can wear away the fur and leave a bald spot on that area.
- STAINING & BODY OILS
- Wearing a scarf around your neck will prevent body oils and make-up from dirtying your coats neckline collar over time. Avoid using hairsprays, body mists or applying perfumes when wearing your fur jacket. The formulas of most brands contain alcohol which can dry the hides and shorten their lifespan. Any oils in the products may penetrate the fur and eventually become odorous and stain. The odor can become rancid and nearly impossible to remove.
- GET RID OF EXCESS MOISTURE AND WETNESS
- If you get caught in light rain or snow, simply shake out the fur and remove as much water as possible. Hang it to dry in a well-ventilated room. DO NOT use a hairdryer, clothes dryer, hanging it near a heater or any direct heat on the fur, as this can dry out the leather hides. After it is dry, shake again to fluff the fur. Do not comb or brush the fur, simply smooth the fur with your hand. If the jacket becomes soaked, its best to take it to a professional cleaner at this point.
- SHEDDING
- Shedding of fur is when your item is not being cared for properly, was exposed to extreme heat and or has been in inadequate storing conditions for too long. If your item is shedding excessively, its time to take it to a professional furrier expert to have them 'condition' it and give it some extra care.
STORAGE
Genuine fur hates heat. It is not the actual hairs and fur that is affected, it is the hide or leather that can dry out, become stiff, and crack. The optimum storage temperature for natural fur is 45 degrees F with a 50 percent humidity. Ideally the closet or room should be dark, which prevents bleaching and fading of the color. Moths and other insects cannot survive at that temperature. Do not store your coat in a cedar closet or chest. The oils in these woods can harm the fur.
In a nutshell - Keep the fur in the coolest closet possible and always in the dark. Furs that are properly stored can last up to 50 years or more.