A fur coat is out of the ordinary as a piece of clothing; it is a family treasure, a symbol of classic grace, and a large investment. In the UK which is home to many fur coat owners, we pay great attention to their care and preserving their like new look is a must. While we do recommend professional cleaning for in depth maintenance, learning how to care for your fur coat at home will greatly extend its life, prevent most damages, and keep it looking perfect in between professional cleanings. This in depth guide goes into the basic skills and best practices for the care of a fur coat costume in the UK which includes from proper storage to gentle cleaning to fixing small issues which will have your piece looking like new for years to come. We will look at why it is important to do regular gentle care for real fur and to keep that natural shine alive also we will go over the difference between what is doable at home and what requires a professional.
1. Understanding Your Fur: The Base of Good Care
Before you begin with luxury fur care tips, it is important to know what type of fur you have. From mink and fox to sable and chinchilla different furs have varying hair length, density and natural oil content which in turn may require a different care approach. While the general rules apply to all, a more in depth knowledge will help in the gentle care of your furs. Real fur as opposed to synthetic is a natural fiber that “breathes” and benefits from its natural oils which give it that soft and shiny look. Over time these oils can be depleted due to improper storage, heat, or humidity which in turn can cause the fur to become brittle and dull. Thus your at home fur coat care routine should always be gentle and respectful of the material’s natural properties. Stay away from harsh chemicals and very moist conditions as these are the main causes of permanent damage. By being aware of the unique features of your particular fur — its texture, weight and how fragile it is you put the base for all successful home care methods and in this way you are able to tailor your care for the best results in fur garment preservation.
2. Optimal Storage: The Secret to a Long Life.
Proper care is what you should put forward when it comes to the care of your vintage fur coat or that which is new in fur at home which also includes the fact that we have in the UK a very damp climate. Fur is a live material which requires to breath and improper care is the quickest way to see in to play that which brings about irreversible damage like dry out, crack and insect infestation. We are trying to reproduce the cool dark and slightly humid environment as is present in professional fur storage units which in turn preserves the pelts natural oils and which in turn prevents the fur from becoming brittle or matted. By following a few key rules in particular that which has to do with proper ventilation and to be aware of the common home hazards you can see to it that your beautiful garment retains its original form and that luxurious feel for decades.
- Avoid Plastic Bags: Never put your fur coat in plastic. Plastic does what it is meant to do which is to seal in moisture and that moisture will cause the leather pelt to dry out, crack and also may cause mildew or mold to grow.
- Use Breathable Covers: Use breathable fabric bags made of cotton or canvas which is what we prefer.
- Choose the Right Hanger: Always put your coat on a wide shouldered, sturdy hanger to even out the weight. This will prevent stretching, tearing or distorting the shoulder line do not use wire hangers.
- Control the Environment: In a cool dark area which has low and steady humidity store the coat. Away from heat sources like radiators or hot water tanks and damp basements the coat should not go.
- Prevent Crushing: Ensure your coat has room to drape freely. Also see to it that it is not crushed in with other clothes which may cause the fine hairs to break and which in turn may cause permanent matting.
- Avoid Direct Light: Keep your coat out of the sun, UV rays will do to the fur what they do best which is fade the color and dry out the oils in the pelt.
Gentle Cleaning Techniques: Tackling surface grime.
In terms of at home care for your fur for day to day cleaning and care which also includes removal of light dust and dirt, a gentle touch will always get you the best results. We at professional in that for at home fur care do not recommend the use of water or heat. First off try to shake out the coat outside when you notice loose soil and dust. Also make a practice of using a good quality fur brush or even a clean soft bristled brush and pass it over the fur in the growth direction of the hair. That action will separate the hair, get out the surface dirt, and in the process renew the fur’s fullness. In case of small non greasy marks, take a soft cloth that has been barely dampened with plain water no soap — and gently blot the mark out and right after that go over it with a dry cloth to soak up the water. As for the oily spots, apply a small amount of corn meal, uncolored saw dust, or professional fur cleaning powder to the spot, leave it on for a few hours to draw out the oil, then gently remove it by shaking and brushing out. This does an excellent job at spot cleaning fur without the risk of water damage. Also do not rub in these treatments, and always brush in the direction that the fur lies in to avoid matting and damage to the fine hairs.
3. Addressing Minor Issues: Attenuation, Scents, and Drabness
In spite of best at home care for your fur coat issues may arise. Matting which is a common issue in areas of high friction such as under arms or elbows can be treated gently with a wide toothed comb or a fur brush. Begin at the ends of the fur and work toward the root being very careful not to pull out the hair from the pelt. For removal of odors from fur which may have come from perfume, smoke or storage just air the piece outside on a breezy non humid day away from direct sun light for a few hours. Also place it in a large breathable garment bag with a sachet of natural odor absorbers like cedar chips or baking soda in a breathable pouch which should not come in direct contact with the fur for a few days. To fight off dullness and bring back that natural shine a light misting of distilled water followed by a gentle brush does the trick. Also in use of specialized fur glazes or conditioners which are designed to put back in the fur’s natural oils without leaving a greasy residue do see results. As always follow product instructions very carefully and do a patch test first for any fur revival treatments.
4. When to Seek Professional Expertise: Identifying What Home Care Can and Cannot Do
While at home care of fur coats is a must for day to day maintenance it is also important to note its limits. For heavy soiling, deep set in dirt, large stains, or a coat which has lost its luster no matter what you try professional fur cleaning is a must. Furriers use special processes which include fur drumming and re-glazing to gently clean the pelt and hair, put back in the natural oils and return the fur to its original supple and shiny state.
5. Your Next Style Investment
Maintaining fine garments such as a fur coat require great care which is a tellt of a well made investment. Through these basic at home care tips you can see to it that your favorite pieces will do well for years to come, thus preserving their legacy and style. That said, do you have any interest in adding to your collection of quality pieces, maybe of the latest from Express Jackets.
Fur Coat Care FAQs: Get the results of
Q1. Can I use a regular clothes brush on my fur coat?
A: No, don’t use a regular clothes brush for a fur coat use a soft bristled brush that is specific for delicate fur.
Q2. How to clean faux fur by hand?
A: Fill a basin with cool water and mild detergent, put in the faux fur which should be gently moved around a bit, then rinse out and press out excess water without using the spin cycle. Leave to dry flat away from heat or sunlight.
Q3: Can you wash faux fur in the washing machine?
A: Yes you may put faux fur in the washing machine for a short cycle of cold water and mild soap. Also turn it inside out and air dry do not use heat or a dryer.
Q4: How do you get rid of smoke smell in fur coats?
A: In a well ventilated area hang the fur coat out for a few days or put it in a open air sunny spot. Also you may use a fabric safe odor absorber like baking soda which you can place near the fur — do not spray perfumes or water directly on it.
Q5: At what point should I bring my fur coat to a professional furrier for cleaning?
A: You are to bring your fur coat to a professional furrier once a year at minimum, upon the end of winter or when it appears soiled, smelly, or out of that which it is put out in. Professional cleaning is a key to keep the fur soft and the life of the coat long.