How to wash faux fur (fur coat, collar): in a washing machine, by hand

Today we will not compare the characteristics of new and old generation faux fur and designate them differently, as I did in a very detailed introductory article about Eco-fur. So by both Eco-fur and faux fur, I will mean new generation fur. This is an article about it and in it I will tell you why you should not worry about caring for this new material, I will give answers to popular questions and a bunch of other useful tips on washing, drying and storing Eco-fur.

Author of the article: Hostess.

My name is Natalya and I have been managing my home professionally for more than 15 years. Saving my extended family's favorite things; I protect our house from fleas, midges, bloodsuckers and other rodents; I find faithful electronic assistants in household chores. And I am happy to pass on this entire experience to you)

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Eco-fur suits everyone!

As always, when a new high-tech material appears, people treat it with suspicion. And if the humane method of producing Eco-fur and its “natural” appearance pleases people who care about the environment, then many questions arise about washing a blanket or fur coat made of faux fur.

How to wash Eco-fur in a washing machine.

Yes, faux furs can be machine washed and this is a big relief for everyone. The ability to be washed gently is a huge plus of this fabric. The main thing is to follow simple rules.

Before washing a fur coat or shaggy pillowcase - get rid of dust. Take a bamboo stick or a carpet beater; you can also use a simple soft brush. Do not be overzealous so as not to knock the fur out of the product along with the dust. Of course, this should be done not in the apartment - you don’t want to inhale dust and small hairs and then collect it all over the apartment. It's best to do this outside.
I came across recommendations Place fur side down on a sheet and beat out. You can do this, but in my opinion it is less effective. Dust will not go anywhere from the house and you still need to shake out the sheets later. Double work.
There is another good way - turn on the vacuum cleaner at low suction power, and vacuum the product strictly along the pile with a nozzle for upholstered furniture.
Then soak for 15-20 minutes in a bowl of warm water, having previously diluted the delicate wash gel there. Do not leave the fur in contact with water and detergents for a long time - it does not like this.
Ruffle the fur coat a little in the basin and let the water drain a little, then put it in the washing machine. The available pre-soak wash cycle in the machine eliminates hand soaking. You can immediately put a dry product into the machine.
If you have a “delicate” mode or modes for silk, wool, turn them on.

Delicate mode only! If this is not the case, set it to 30-40 C (no higher!), short wash (express) and turn off the spin cycle. These actions will prevent possible deformation and shrinkage of the material.

⚠️ Remember that the spin must be turned off! I read that some people wring it out, but then there’s more fuss with drying and straightening the broken pile, so don’t complicate your task.

After the machine has finished working, remove the product and hang it to drain . Place small items on a wire rack or in a clean sink, place outerwear on hangers and hang them over the bathtub.

The item has been washed. About drying below)

Dry cleaning

There are times when improvised means are not enough. If the dirt cannot be removed by home methods, you should use dry cleaning services. Professionals will be able to thoroughly clean the product and restore it to its original beauty and shine. Whether it is possible to clean clothes with chemicals is another question. Typically, information about acceptable procedures is indicated on the label.

How to wash faux fur by hand.

The first stage of cleaning from dust and soaking in soapy water is exactly the same as for machine washing.
If the item is small, gently “swirl” it in the basin and squeeze it lightly. If it’s a fur coat or a blanket, pour a bath - any size will fit in it. Press the large item to the bottom so that it is completely wet.
Eco-fur is a delicate fabric, so be gentle with it. You cannot rub the fur like regular underwear , otherwise the lint may creep in. Rub gently with a soft brush or hand, paying particular attention to areas that are more heavily soiled - bottoms, pockets, sleeves and the inside of the collar.
Rinse the product in several waters . First use the same warm as when washing, then cooler and finally cold. There should be plenty of water to thoroughly wash away cleaning agents and remaining dirt. Actively use the tap or shower; running water will perfectly remove all excess from the matter.
Remove the item from the water and let it drain thoroughly, in the same way as after machine washing. a couple of teaspoons of vinegar to the last rinse water .
You can’t wring out faux fur , otherwise you can ruin the base by “twisting” it and breaking the pile. After the main water has drained, wrap the product in a towel and press lightly - most of the moisture will go into it, drying will be faster. You can skip this stage - let the item hang, drain and dry on its own.
If a small area , there is no need to wash the entire item. Dilute washing powder or washing gel in a liter of water (shampoo is also suitable), stir well and wipe the dirty area with a sponge soaked in a soapy solution. Afterwards, rinse the treated piece under running water.

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 properly dry a product.

To prevent the fur from being high with “icicles” or with “creases” after washing, it must be fluffed. While drying, carefully comb the fur along the pile with a brush with sparse rounded teeth. Do not go too deep into the material, so as not to snag and damage the base. Superficial movements will be enough to smooth and straighten the pile on the collar or straighten the faux fur on the hood. A slicker brush for cats or dogs , which can be purchased at any pet store, is best suited for this purpose

Comb gently and carefully

Dry the product away from heating devices, do not use a hair dryer so as not to damage the fiber.
Hang your outerwear on hangers in a well-ventilated area . It will take longer to dry in the bathroom, because there is a lot of moisture there.
Never dry Eco-fur in the dryer. High temperature is death for synthetics . 99% of the time, after this it will only be possible to use it in handicrafts in parts or give it to children as toys, because the pile will deteriorate, stick together, and the base will shrink.

⚠️ To the direct question - is it possible to iron Eco-fur, I will answer directly - no! Steaming and ironing, even through gauze, is also prohibited. Faux fur is afraid of high temperatures from any source. If the pile has become wrinkled, wet it (preferably with a spray) and comb it, it will “sag” and smooth out.

What mistakes to avoid

You should not wash or clean your fur coat using very hot water, as it can shrink a lot.
You should not dry your fur coat in the open rays of the sun, or near heating devices.
A fur coat should never be ironed, even from the lining side! When drying, the washed fur coat must be straightened on hangers, giving it its original appearance. Wet flesh perfectly takes the given shape, so the fur coat does not need ironing or steaming.
Drying a fur coat after washing, cleaning, as well as when wearing it after rain and snow, is necessary only on strong hangers, and not on ropes - it can become deformed.
If the fur coat is already quite old, its cleaning and washing should still be entrusted to dry cleaning, because the fur can be damaged by water and detergents.

Dry cleaning of Eco-fur at home and getting rid of odor.

If you are not sure that your product can be washed or this is directly stated on the manufacturer’s label, use these simple methods for caring for an Eco-fur coat.

Method one - minimum moisture.

Lather a spoonful of shampoo (no conditioner!) or delicate wash gel in a glass of warm water.
Hang your parka or sheepskin coat on hangers over the bathtub and wipe the fur with a sponge and foam.
As a “rinse”, run along the pile with a clean, damp sponge.
Comb gently and dry completely naturally.

Method Two - completely dry

We will need a small package of starch or flour.

Place a faux fur collar or hat on a rack over the bathtub and sprinkle the product liberally onto the fur.
Rub gently with your hand so that the powder penetrates everywhere. Leave the item for 5-10 minutes until the starch or flour absorbs the dirt along with the unpleasant aroma. Then gently shake out and comb out any remaining residue.
Finally, to remove dullness after cleaning, wipe the fur with a sponge soaked in slightly warmed glycerin (to make it thinner). The fur will be shiny and iridescent.

By the way - here's a great life hack - dry shampoo for people or animals . And it will remove dirt and smell. Buy at hairdressing salons or pet stores.

The third method is frosty.

Sprinkle it well with snow...

..and lightly “rub” it with clean snow)

This is a very effective method for wool and eco-fur. On a frosty day when pure white snow has fallen , go for a walk with a blanket or fur coat. Place them on the snow and sprinkle them generously, gently rubbing them with your hands . Do several "procedures". Shake off the snow. At home, dry and comb. No dirt, no smell)

Dry cleaning

Dry cleaning is the most gentle method of care. It can be applied to both natural and artificial coats.

You can follow this method: attach a special attachment to the vacuum cleaner for cleaning clothes. Use it to methodically process the product from top to bottom. This cleaning must be done both from the front and from the inside.

Natural

If there are greasy stains on the topcoat, they should be treated separately. It is better to act as follows:

Sprinkle the area with greasy marks with talcum powder or starch.
Rub in lightly.
Clean off the surface with a brush.
Repeat the treatment several times.

Individual worn areas can be restored using a regular office eraser. Another option is to use a brush with rubber bristles, which can be lightly moistened with ammonia.

Dirty areas on a leather sheepskin coat can even be wiped off with semolina. To do this, you need to follow the following algorithm:

Put a glove on your hand.
Take a small amount of cereal in your palm.
Rub the stained area.
Shake off any remaining cereal.
Repeat processing.

The video will show you how to clean a sheepskin coat using semolina:

Artificial

Stains and localized dirty areas can be cleaned without doing a full wash. As with natural sheepskin, you can use talc or starch.

These substances have the property of absorbing fat, so they can be used in cases of greasy conditions, such as sleeves or pockets.

Starch is poured onto the stain so that it is completely covered and left for several hours. After the used powder is cleaned off, the manipulation is repeated. Finishing with a vacuum cleaner will help remove remaining starch.

A little about the features of handling white Eco-fur.

Most of all, brides are worried that on their wedding day the white faux fur cape will not disharmonize with the white dress. White is white - it always gets dirty faster than dark and sometimes turns yellow. This can also happen due to the wrong choice of detergent. To get rid of yellowness on Eco-fur and whiten it, use these methods of lightening faux fur .

May be useful: How to care for a white (light) down jacket so that it lasts longer.

So, if washing in the machine did not help, dilute freshly squeezed lemon juice with water 1:1 and rub it along the pile of your white fur coat. Do this slowly and carefully to work through every little bit of hair. Lemon is an excellent natural bleach that is completely safe for synthetics.

⚠️ It is not recommended to use citric acid to clean faux fur.

A more powerful remedy consists of hydrogen peroxide, ammonia and water in equal proportions. The steps are the same - thoroughly wipe the white fur and dry it. Pre-test the solution on an inconspicuous area of the item to avoid unpleasant reactions.

Detergent

Can faux fur be washed? Can. Such a product can be processed manually, cleaned using home or professional products.

It is better to use specially formulated chemical products designed to remove dirt from artificial pile.

Manufacturers of such products recommend using the following products:

FLAT;
VESTAR (washing gel);
Emsal Tuba;
Alles Gut;
Dreft Delicates&Color;
Luxus Professional;
Frosch.

All detergents will provide a delicate wash, show good results, retain the shape of the product and protect the color from fading.

Proper storage of eco-fur products.

Usually, warm eco-fur coats are sent “on summer vacation”, sometimes fluffy pillowcases and faux fur blankets are replaced with something lighter. What can you do to avoid pulling out something matted and shapeless from the cache next winter?

Moths do not like eco-fur made from synthetics. But if your product contains natural fibers or it has not been washed, then she may well feast on natural fibers or what is left on the product from you - particles of skin, fat. Hence a very important rule - before you put the item away for storage, you need to wash it and, after drying, treat it with moth repellents. Place dried orange or lemon slices in the cupboard - this should repel harmful insects. By the way, don’t forget to check the cabinet itself before doing this - what if the moth is already sitting there and waiting for something tasty? Clean and ventilate it to drive out any unwanted “guests.”
Never fold vests or fur coats in piles, do not roll them into rolls - you will inevitably wrinkle the pile. It’s better to immediately put on a ready-made jacket and go for a walk without fiddling with straightening it out. With blankets, folding is impossible to avoid, but creases can be easily fixed with water later. It's not difficult, it just takes time. Try to fold a large item as few times as possible.
Hang the clothes on hangers, comb them and pack them in a special case so that they do not come into contact with other clothes in the closet, and do not lose or wrinkle the “fur”. It would be good to put the blanket in a paper bag separately from other products.

Is it possible?

If the faux fur gets dirty, you can wash it. Most products tolerate such treatment well and do not lose their attractiveness.

Conditions to be observed:

Study the information indicated on the label. The manufacturer's recommendations should not be violated.
If the fur comes off, it is better to remove it and wash it separately from the main product.
Before you start washing, the item must be cleaned of dust and other contaminants. To do this, use a low-power vacuum cleaner or a soft-bristled brush.
Washing fur items together with other items is unacceptable.
If there are minor stains on the fur, do not wash it completely. Limited to local treatment of stains.
Preference is given to hand washing.

It is not recommended to machine wash long faux fur, but the shorter it is, the lower the risk of damage. You should not experiment with fur trim of questionable quality.

Then the pile is combed. This will give it freshness after a long stay in the closet.

Drying rules

After washing, the fur product must be properly dried so that it does not lose its characteristics:

Shake the product to remove any remaining water.
Do not twist or squeeze the item. You can wrap it in a terry towel so that the water is absorbed faster.
Do not place the product on a radiator or hang it in the sun. Because of this, the fur is deformed.
During drying, the pile should lie flat, without creases, with the fluffy side up. You can hang the item on hangers without using clothespins.
You cannot dry your fur with a hairdryer.

Optimal conditions are drying in the fresh air, but in the shade, or in a warm room with good ventilation and low humidity.

Thanks to this simple manipulation, the villi will not bristle when they dry.