How to store a mink coat in the summer at home?

A mink coat is without a doubt one of the “girls’ best friends.” Despite the ardent indignation of nature lovers and animal defenders, a woman looks chic in natural fur. How to properly store a mink coat so that it remains beautiful and warm for all ten seasons for which a mink is on average designed?

A mink coat is beautiful and warm. How to store it in winter and summer, read our article

For obvious reasons, storage of fur products can be divided into two states: current - during the cold period when you wear them, and long-term, when you send your furs for “preservation”. In this article we will look in detail at the subtleties and nuances of storage, but first, a little theory, from which all subsequent practical advice follows.

Preparation

After the end of the cold period, you need to promptly prepare the mink coat for summer storage. It's better to do it in this order:

1. Inspection. Initially, it is worth carrying out an inspection from the outside and inside, checking the integrity of the lining and the strength of the buttons.
2. Cleaning. You can use dry cleaning services or try to remove the dirt yourself. To do this, use a 9% solution of table vinegar and vodka. The ingredients are mixed in equal proportions and applied with a sponge with careful movements, without rubbing. After treatment, dry at a temperature of no more than 17°C.
3. Recovery. If the pile has become dull and dusty, dry cleaning with starch is recommended for the fur coat. The bulk component is sprayed over the surface, and then the problem areas are rubbed with a dry sponge. To remove grains, just shake the fur coat vigorously.
4. Combing. The fur coat should be combed out using a metal comb with wide teeth, and then aired outside or in an open loggia for 24 hours.

After the fur coat is fully prepared, it is put on hangers that match the size. If this rule is not followed, the seams may become deformed: a wide hanger will lead to stretching, and clothes on a narrow hanger will sag.

Attention! When putting away a mink coat for the summer, you need to fasten all the buttons on it and make sure that it is firmly fixed on the hangers, all the seams lie flat and do not bend.

Storage conditions

When choosing a room, you should pay attention to the humidity level. It is unacceptable to store mink coats in summer in conditions of high humidity; the optimal value is in the range of 60-65%. It is worth paying attention to other criteria, such as temperature and lighting, and the need for air circulation. Professionals say that the most favorable microclimate in city apartments can be created using an air conditioner.

Balconies and loggias are completely unsuitable for permanent storage. In the summer they get very hot, and the color can noticeably fade from exposure to sunlight and change for the worse. Another common idea is to store a fur coat in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator. This is wrong, despite the fact that it is preserved better in the cold. You cannot put clothes in the freezer, because they will have to be stored folded there, which will create creases that will be difficult or even impossible to remove.

Lighting and temperature

Mink pile is very capricious, so if the temperature and light conditions are not observed, it can suffer greatly. In order for the product to be in good shape after summer storage and look like new, it must be stored in summer at a temperature of about 15-17°C. Fur coats respond well to cool weather and suffer from high thermometer readings. When kept in such a microclimate, you don’t have to worry about the condition of the pile; carpet beetles will not be able to harm your clothes. You can store a mink coat in a room with artificial light; it does not have a negative effect.

Free space

It is permissible to store fur coats in a regular closet, but they must be placed so that they hang freely; crowding is unacceptable. If the pile comes into contact with other elements, it will quickly fade and change its shape. The following rule also applies: if the product is long enough, you should hang it so that it does not touch the bottom of the cabinet. The same rules must be followed when storing unnatural pile.

Attention! It is better to store a mink coat out of season in a separate closet; it is permissible to place other outerwear nearby, at a distance.

Case

Mink coats should be properly stored in a case. It is necessary that the width of the protective case is no less than the width of the outer clothing, otherwise the pile may become wrinkled. It is better to choose a cover with a special sealed side insert so that the clothes do not get squeezed. You need to choose a trunk from natural materials:

• linen;
• canvas;
• cotton.

Synthetic fabrics do not allow air flow in the summer, so the pile in them may suffer. If additional sun protection is needed, it is better to choose a dark fabric. Another function assigned to the product is to protect the fur coat from moths, but it should not be physical, but chemical. These are variants of covers with special impregnation; they have a specific smell.

Ventilation

Natural fur coats, regardless of summer storage conditions, must be regularly ventilated. She needs an influx of fresh air, even in the heat. The mink should be taken out of the closet and hung on the balcony, leaving it there for a day. According to the rules, the protective cover must be removed during this time. If the owner of expensive outerwear lives in a private house, it is better to hang it in the garden, placing it under the shade of trees.

Fur coolers

There are special refrigerators designed for periodic storage of fur coats, but such units are quite expensive, so buying them for personal use, having only one thing made of natural fur, is pointless.

Residents of large cities can look for specialized companies that provide fur storage services. Such rooms are equipped with special chambers, the temperature in which is within 10°C and the humidity reaches 50%. These conditions will definitely allow you to keep your mink coat warm in the summer.

Attention! You need to beware of thieves and scammers, so you should insure the product before taking it to such a company.

Can mink coats be stored in the freezer?

On many forums there are discussions on the topic: is it possible to store a mink coat in the freezer? Judging by the answers, it is possible. Some believe that this method keeps the fur “toned” and even stops shedding.

If you have a lot of free space in your freezer and are ready for risky experiments, try storing your mink coat frozen. But we cannot guarantee that it will definitely “remain like new” (quote from the forum).

Moth control

Moths are a true “connoisseur” of expensive products made from high-quality natural fur, therefore, before storing a fur coat in an ordinary closet, you should provide it with reliable protection from the pest. To do this, you can use folk remedies and special tablets and aerosols.

It is the larvae that cause maximum damage to the product. It is recommended to place anti-moth tablets in the corners of the storage area, put them in a protective cover and in the pockets of the fur coat itself. It is permissible to spray the cover and cabinet walls with an aerosol. It is forbidden to spray the pile and inner lining. Applying an aerosol to the fur coat itself is permissible in exceptional cases when there are traces of pest activity. You need to purchase a Mosquitol type spray with the scent of lavender from a specialized store and apply it to the fur and cover it with a cover. After 2-3 days, hang the fur coat for airing for a day.

Is it possible to store a fur coat folded?

You cannot store a fur coat folded - this is an axiom. But if you didn’t know this, and when you took out your favorite item, you saw a lot of creases, then you can take some measures:

1. We fill the bath with hot water.
2. We take the fur coat on hangers into the bathroom and close the door tightly.
3. We wait until the creases straighten out.
4. We dry the item and hang it in the closet only on hangers.

The second method is suitable if there are few creases and they are not very serious:

1. Wet the sponge with water.
2. We iron the pile “through the wool” with it.
3. Combing the fur coat.
4. Dry the product.

Features of storing different furs

Any type of fur has its own service life, but much depends on how the owner handles the product. In order for a fur coat to retain its attractive appearance for a long time, you need to know and follow the basic rules. In principle, the standards for storing mink and mouton are the same, but there are certain nuances that must be followed to extend the life of the product.

Mouton

Mouton fur coats are considered the most durable, they store well and last a long time, so they are often used as an everyday option. Like other natural products, they are advised to be stored in a cool, well-ventilated closet. The main problem that owners face is that it is difficult to remove dirt from a fur coat, so stains need to be cleaned or dry-cleaned immediately after they appear. Fur must be processed before storing in the summer.

Another problem that appears after wear is the difficulty of creating optimal conditions. Out of season, clothing made from mouton should be stored in a cool place, the air temperature should not be higher than 12°C, and optimally around 8. If this condition is not met, the fur will begin to deform, lose its shine and may emit an unpleasant odor.

Mink

A bright, shiny and expensive mink coat requires careful care. You can only store it in the summer hanging on soft hangers that match the size. It is best to keep it in a cabinet made of natural wood. There, proper protection from high humidity levels is created, and normal air circulation will occur. Mink fur hats are also stored.

Attention! Since mink fur is “capricious”, you need to clean it yourself carefully. If possible, you should contact a trusted dry cleaner.

Other types

Storage conditions for different types of furs are different:

• beaver and nutria fur. The most durable, wear-resistant and inexpensive. They will serve their owner for many years and will retain their appearance unchanged. Despite the visual ease of care, the materials should also be stored in a cool and dry place. Damp air will lead to a change in the shade of the pile, make it faded, and the shine will be lost. Nutria fur needs additional protection from moths. Such a fur coat must be regularly inspected for contamination;
• rabbit fur. It is forbidden to roll it up due to the high probability of caking;
• raccoon, chinchilla or fox fur. They are delicate and prone to creases. They are stored on hangers. Before sending them to the closet, check that they are straightened;
• goat fur. Hung on wide hangers, it is unpretentious, but susceptible to damage by moths.

Main problems

A fur coat made from any natural fur is a rather delicate product that deteriorates if the rules of wearing and maintenance are violated.

Moth damage

The main problem that owners of fur products face is moth attack. A fur coat spoiled by this pest becomes completely unwearable, because the brood completely eats the fur, and massive bald spots form on the surface. It is impossible to eliminate the problem; it can only be prevented.

Creases

It is known that it is best to store a mink fur coat in a vertical position, because when folded, creases can form on it. It will be difficult to smooth out a mink coat under standard home conditions, but you can try. Heat and steam will help get rid of the problem, but you should not hope that the procedures will restore the appearance in one application.

You can steam a mink coat at home using steam. It is enough to fill the bathtub with water at a temperature of about 50°C and hang fur clothes over it. The door to the room will have to be closed and left in this position for 1 hour. If the creases are minimal, you can try to smooth the mink coat with a sponge dipped in water in the direction of the villi.

You can also use a steamer. But we must remember that high-quality devices that work effectively are expensive, and cheap options can damage the fur. This service, which allows you to restore the appearance, is offered by dry cleaners, so if a problem arises, you can contact specialists. By smoothing a mink coat on your own, an inexperienced owner risks ruining it.

Drying of the flesh

Owners of mink coats may also notice drying out of the leather part of the skin. Often this problem occurs if a fur product is stored in a dry room, ignoring the recommendations. Treatment with a solution will help restore the structure of the inner layer:

1. In 1 liter of warm liquid, stir 50 g of table salt and 1 tbsp. l food vinegar.
2. Pour the product into a spray bottle and apply to the inside of clothing.
3. Leave the fur coat for 2 hours.
4. Knead problem areas.
5. Hang the fur coat on the balcony, and after drying, put it in the closet, placing it on hangers.

Yellowness or loss of color

Light mink may turn yellow over time. This problem also arises with prolonged wear, so white fur coats are considered exclusively as a weekend option. It is unlikely that it will be possible to completely restore the shade, but it is possible to refresh a mink coat. To do this, you can wipe the pile with a swab dipped in 3% table vinegar.

Attention! If dark fur has lost its color, it cannot be restored. The only method is dyeing, but you will have to entrust the fur coat to professionals.

When storing fur coats, owners must follow certain rules, adhere to the recommended temperature range, and maintain air humidity. If these standards are ignored, the fur product will quickly become deformed, lose its appearance and become unusable.

How to care for a mink coat in winter

Mink fur feels great in winter. But not in wet weather, when there is sleet or rain. High humidity can negatively affect the condition of your fur coat. If your fur coat gets wet during a walk, immediately start drying it when you return home.

How to do it right:

• Drying a fur product is allowed only naturally. Hair dryers, heaters, radiators and other devices must not be used.

• For drying, it is better to choose a dark place in the house that does not receive much sunlight.

• A wet fur coat should be hung on hangers of suitable size.

• You cannot squeeze or twist a fur product.

• If the fur coat is very wet, then carefully walk over the fur with a soft cloth so that it absorbs excess moisture.

• When the fur is dry, be sure to shake it well and comb it.

How to keep your favorite fur coat in perfect condition

Mink fur will delight you for many years if you follow simple rules:

• Try not to walk in a fur coat in snow and rain. For such weather, it is better to choose a regular down jacket.

• Keep your fur coat away from places where there are too many people. It can easily be damaged in long queues or during a crush on public transport.

• When walking, avoid areas treated with de-icing chemicals. This is especially true for clothes with a long hem.

• Do not wear a bag over your shoulder, as the strap will cause unsightly bald patches on your fur coat.