Nothing warms you up in the cold season like fur products. A beautiful fur coat creates a unique feeling of comfort, gives you self-confidence and attracts the attention of passers-by. Like any other clothing, it loses its outer luster over time, accumulating dust and other contaminants.
You can restore the original purity of fur not only in dry cleaning, but also at home. There are a number of recommendations for cleaning, washing and drying the product that will help remove dirt efficiently and not damage the precious fur.
Basic washing rules
A fur coat, especially from the skins of sable, astrakhan fur, chinchilla and ermine, is quite an expensive pleasure. It requires special storage and cleaning conditions.
There are dry cleaning methods adapted for specific types of fur:
- Mink. A solution of 9% vinegar, ethyl alcohol and water in equal parts is carefully applied with a brush in the direction of hair growth. The product is then wiped dry with a clean cloth. This method can be used to clean nutria and rabbit skins.
- The fur of muskrats, squirrels and seals can be cleaned with sand. To do this, the sand is washed well, then heated strongly and the contaminated areas are thoroughly sprinkled with it. If necessary, the procedure can be repeated. At the end, the product is shaken out well.
- Raccoon. An aqueous solution of salt and ethyl alcohol, in proportions of three to one per 500 grams of water, is applied to the dirt with a cotton pad. A clean product is wiped with a damp cloth.
- A wolf fur coat can be cleaned with a solution of alcohol and vinegar, similar to a mink.
- Arctic fox and light-colored sheepskin are cleaned with hot bran. They are heated in the microwave, carefully sprinkled onto the dirt and left to cool. Next, the remains are combed out with a brush.
Gasoline and starch, mixed to a paste, will remove difficult stains. But black and dark fur should not be cleaned this way.
Cleaning with animal shampoo will be universal; you can buy it at a pet store.
Dust and atmospheric pollution can be removed by laying the fur coat on a wet terry towel and gently tapping it.
Cleaning a fur coat
Light stains can be removed using the following dry cleaning methods. In case of loss of shine of the fur, noticeable dust and dirt in the down, and extensive stains, washing cannot be done without the help of washing.
There are a number of rules that, if followed, will help you wash a product without unpleasant consequences:
- Before starting cleaning procedures, be sure to test the product on an inconspicuous area;
- it is necessary to study the information on the label; perhaps the product should not be wetted;
- the water temperature during washing should not exceed forty degrees;
- Machine washable only for artificial fibers;
- Gels are recommended as detergents;
- during the cleaning process, it is necessary to carefully comb the pile, without active friction;
Having taken into account all the rules and tips, you can proceed directly to washing the product. Natural products need to be washed exclusively by hand; artificial ones can be washed in a machine.
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Dry cleaning
With its help you can cope with minor stains. The procedure is quite simple. First you need to knock the dust out of the fur. After manual cleaning, you can use a vacuum cleaner. To avoid damaging the fur, be sure to attach an attachment for upholstered furniture to the device.
To choose the most suitable method, it is necessary to determine the type of fur. The process of refreshing the appearance of products made from arctic fox and rabbit fur is the same. The same can be said about high-quality faux fur. If the stains do not disappear after dry cleaning, you need to turn to more effective methods.
Handwash
To wash a fur coat by hand you will need a large volume of water and a container. The easiest way to do this is in the bathroom. It must be filled with water, the temperature of which is 30-35 degrees.
If overheated, the size of the fur coat may decrease by a couple of points, and the fur itself may harden and lose its shape. Dilute the detergent in water in proportions according to the instructions.
Hand washing a fur coat
The washing itself takes place in several stages:
- The product is laid out in the bathroom as far as its size allows. After lying in the water for 15 minutes, the pile and undercoat will be well saturated with soapy water.
- The collar area, sleeves and elbows, pockets and cuffs are usually the most problematic areas of the product. They can be carefully treated with a soft brush or sponge, combing in the direction of hair growth.
- To remove dirt from the undercoat, you can lightly knead the fur with your hands, without friction or unnecessary effort.
- The soapy water must be drained, and the remaining water must be removed with stroking movements.
- Rinse any remaining detergent thoroughly with plenty of warm water. Repeat the rinsing procedure several times to ensure that no soap streaks are left.
- To make the coat silky and shiny, leave the fur coat in cool water for ten minutes.
- After draining the remaining water, excess moisture is removed from the product using pressing movements. If possible, the fur coat is laid out horizontally on slats or planks, which allows the water to drain on its own. Thus, the product will not lose its shape. Squeezing with twisting movements is strictly prohibited.
After the water has drained, the product is combed well and dried.
How to wash faux fur items
Products made from synthetic fur are hand washed in the same way as items made from natural materials. Machine washing on a delicate cycle is also allowed, but only if the length of the pile does not exceed three to four centimeters. You can dry clothes in the standard way - on a horizontal surface, on a terry towel, in a well-ventilated room.
Machine washable
You can machine wash a fur coat only if it is artificial. Before washing, you must read the instructions on the label; machine washing may be contraindicated. Washing items with long pile will cause difficulty. Drying and combing it after automatic washing will not be easy at all.
Washing in a washing machine
In all other cases, you don’t have to worry about the safety of your favorite item if you adhere to certain rules:
- When choosing a washing mode, you should choose a delicate wash or for woolen items. The temperature should correspond to the instructions on the label, as a rule, it rarely exceeds forty degrees.
- The product is rolled up and packed in a laundry bag. This will preserve the integrity of the fur coat and prevent the machine from becoming clogged with lint. You can vacuum the fur coat first.
- As a detergent, you can use special gels for fur products or low-foam shampoos for animals.
- It is recommended to use a conditioner for synthetic items with an antistatic effect.
- Additional rinsing will be required.
- It is recommended to turn off the spin or use it at minimum speed. Automatic drying is strictly prohibited.
- After washing, the fur coat is laid out on a large towel, which allows you to remove excess moisture.
The washed product is carefully combed and dried in a vertical position.
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Processing a fixed collar
If the specified part cannot be separated, when choosing a washing method, you will have to take into account the material from which the jacket is made. If you are not sure about the safety of the fur, you should take the down jacket to the dry cleaner. There is another option: you need to wash your outerwear in a machine using tennis balls. This method has caused a lot of controversy. Acceptable washing methods are usually indicated on the jacket label. All the necessary data is indicated there.
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Combing rules
Methods for combing fur depend on its length. Lush or short pile is combed from the bottom up, lifting the villi and giving them additional “fluffiness”. In this way, fox fur and marten skins are combed.
Smoothed pile, like that of a mink or lynx, is combed with movements from top to bottom, smoothing the hairs.
Combing a fur coat
The rest of the combing process comes down to one algorithm of actions:
- You need to start combing from the bottom of the product, gradually rising to the collar area. The fur is gradually combed in small sections.
- Tangles and wool woven together must be carefully untangled by hand. Intense movements of the comb will only harm the skins, tearing out the fur and damaging the base.
- When choosing a comb, you should choose combs made of wood or metal with infrequent teeth. There are also special brushes for fur, they are sold in fur stores.
- Do not scratch too deeply; the brush should not get into the flesh.
- The most problematic areas of outerwear are the collar, cuffs and pocket area. They need to be given special attention.
- At the end of the work, the fur is smoothed by hand. The exception is fluffy skins, for example, badger fur.
Before you start combing, you need to remove all dust from your fur coat. To do this, you need to shake it or knock it out.
Is it possible to put it in the washing machine?
Washing a faux fur coat is possible provided that the product is of high quality and there is information on the manufacturer's label allowing such actions.
The criterion of pile length is also taken into account (the shorter it is, the greater the chance of not damaging the product by machine washing).
It is important to realistically assess your strengths, and if there is any doubt, it is better to entrust the washing of a faux fur coat to the dry cleaning staff.
Only after studying the information on the manufacturer's tag in detail and making sure that washing a faux fur coat is allowed can you begin the process.
Preparing for washing at home
Before the fur product is loaded into the washing machine, dust must be knocked out of it . They will come to the rescue:
- bamboo stick,
- long-handled brush,
- carpet beater.
There is no need to make any effort, because along with dust, the fur coat can lose its long pile. They beat out the fur carefully, in the fresh air (balcony).
For those who want to cope with such work in a matter of minutes, you can use a vacuum cleaner . The main thing is that the device has adjustable suction strength (choose the lowest position). Vacuum the fur coat strictly along the pile.
Process
Only the fur coat is placed in the drum of the washing machine. Do not wash fur items with other items.
When setting the required operating mode of the washing machine, select:
- baby laundry,
- or mode for silk, wool.
Additionally, you can add conditioner (preferably with a neutral smell).
Prohibited use:
- aggressive chemicals,
- granulated dry powders,
- stain removers.
Water heating temperature is not higher than 40°C . It’s good if your washing machine has a short wash mode.
Separate removable elements of a fur product (collar, belt) can be placed in a washing case and placed in the drum of a washing machine along with the fur coat.
The main thing is to remember to turn off the spin option. Otherwise, cleaning the fur product in the washing machine will be the last thing. After a strong spin, the product will be damaged irrevocably.
Rinse phase
When choosing a rinse mode for a washing machine, it is important to limit the number of revolutions per minute (no more than 400) . It’s good if you have the option of choosing an additional rinse.
After the fur coat is washed, you need to immediately remove it from the washing machine and hang it on a hanger to let the water drain.
Dry the fur item in a well-ventilated place , away from hot heating appliances.
Detergents
Fur salons, in addition to their main products, often offer fur care products. Professional cosmetics for fur coats will allow you to easily remove dust and atmospheric and soil pollution.
Using cleaning products, you can remove difficult stains, such as traces of foundation or de-icing agents, without affecting your valuable fur.
Natural fur should be regularly treated with antistatic and moth repellent.
Those who decide to wash a product at home should pay attention to cleaning gels and solutions adapted for a specific type of fur.
Detergents
Tips from the experts
Experts in the field of caring for fur products give several recommendations that will help you carry out the cleaning procedure effectively and safely:
- Never use dry washing powders for washing. It is also prohibited to use any household or homemade stain removers or bleaches.
- Never twist wet fur items, as this will harm both the fur and the lint.
- Fur should not be dried in direct sunlight or near heating appliances.
Well, the last recommendation is that fur should never be ironed, even from the inside out, so you should not do this either.
Whitening
Over time, light-colored fur items may become unpleasantly yellow. You can take these items to the dry cleaner or use at-home bleaching methods:
- Potato starch or talc is poured over the entire surface of the fur coat for half an hour. The product is first laid out to evenly apply the powder. After time, the fur coat is shaken out and combed.
- A solution of table vinegar and citric acid is applied to the wool using a cotton pad. To distribute the active components throughout the pile, it is combed and left to dry.
- An aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia (a few drops per glass of water) is applied using a spray gun and the pile is treated with a brush.
- Crushed to a powder, a piece of chalk is poured onto the yellowed areas for thirty minutes. Next, shake the fur coat to remove any residue.
With the help of quite affordable means, you can restore the cleanliness and freshness of fur items. It is preferable to entrust the removal of heavy or large-area stains on expensive products to specialists.
We use gentle cleaning methods
Try washing your fur coat without soaking. Dust it out and vacuum it with the upholstery attachment.
Assess the “volume of disaster.” Mark the areas that need cleaning. If the contamination is not significant, then try cleaning them with clean water. Hang the fur coat on a hanger, pour a bowl of water at a temperature no higher than 30 degrees. Take a suede brush and wet it with water to clean the fur. After this, comb the fur and let it dry. Once dry, comb again. As a rule, this is enough to restore shine.
Some advise doing virtually the same procedure, but with snow. This is even better, since less excess moisture will be absorbed. If there are clean snowdrifts on the street, then wipe the fur with snow, but not too much. There is no need to press or knead. Next, comb and dry.
But if these methods do not help to wash old stains or remove the smell that has been absorbed over the years, then contact the dry cleaner. They know how to wash a mink coat, they will quickly put it in order without damage. If for some reason the services of professionals are not available to you, and you are ready to risk a fur item, then go ahead and try washing it yourself. Let's look at how to do this.
Drying
Improper drying of a fur item can lead to the formation of creases, roughening and loss of shape. A few tips will help you avoid this:
- do not dry fur in close proximity to a heat source, primarily meaning radiators and heating devices;
- do not use a hairdryer, hot air contributes to the hardening of the inner skin;
- before drying, blot the fur with a terry towel to remove excess water;
- the wet product is hung vertically on a wide hanger and all folds are straightened to prevent creases;
- The drying room must have good ventilation;
- Do not dry your fur coat in direct sunlight or in a draft.
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After the fur coat is completely dry, shake it and begin combing the fur.
How to dry
This is perhaps the most difficult thing. A wet fur coat weighs a LOT. Few hangers can handle that kind of weight. You can do the following: place a bath seat (if you have one) and lay the wet item on it. Instead of a seat, you can use any two boards.
When most of the water has drained (after about 3-5 hours), place a chair with a back in the bathroom, hang the fur coat on it, trying to straighten it as much as possible. So leave it to dry for 8 hours.
When the fur dries, you can try to comb it with a regular wooden or plastic hair brush. Do not scratch wet areas, as you may tear out the down.
After the fur has completely dried, comb it again and proceed to the most important thing - fitting. That's all!
Caring for the flesh
After drying the product, you can think about caring for the inner layer, the layer of animal skin. After washing and drying, the mesh may lose its elasticity and needs some treatment at least once every two years.
Caring for the flesh
There are several effective methods for restoring tissue at home:
- Dissolve a tablespoon of salt and a tablespoon of vinegar in one liter of water. Using a sponge or cotton pad, apply the product to the inner surface of the fur. The procedure must be repeated several times at intervals of two or three hours. Next, the fur is dried well.
- Mix oil and table vinegar in a ratio of two to one. Use a cotton pad to rub the resulting solution into the skin. You can use flaxseed, apricot or olive oil. It is also possible to use glycerin diluted with water. The oil solution will be absorbed for at least three days, and during this time it is not recommended to wear the product.
You can get to the inner layer of fur by slightly pushing back the lining from below. In some models it is not sewn intentionally.
How to clean natural fur from yellowness
Over time, the fur on the product may turn yellow. This does not make the item more attractive, so many owners of fur clothing try to return the pile to its natural color. This can be done using a product that is prepared according to a simple recipe - mix one tablespoon of ordinary table salt and half a tablespoon of ammonia in half a glass of water (we work in a respirator so that the smell of ammonia does not irritate). Then take a soft cloth, preferably white cotton, dip it in the solution and wring it well, it should remain barely damp. We wipe the fur with a cloth, especially carefully treating the yellowed areas. This way we remove greasy contaminants that give the fur an unsightly tint. After this, shake the fur product, straighten the fibers, and leave to dry.
