How to Clean Your Fur Coat: The Correct Way

Learn tips to revert your fur coat back to its origional soft texture.

Fur coats are known as luxury pieces of clothing. Unlike most types of garments, a fur coat is not a wash-and-wear item. Specific cleaning instructions must be followed to ensure that the coat does not get ruined. Spots and stains that appear on the coat should be cleaned immediately before the particles have the opportunity to settle into the fabric. Fur coats must also be stored properly to prevent the fabric from drying out.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic clothes hanger
• Hair blower
• Solvent
• Steam iron

Instructions

1. Allow fur coats that have become wet from rain, snow or other elements to dry. Place the fur coat on a plastic clothes hanger. Hang the fur coat in a well-ventilated area until dry.

2. Remove coffee, tea and food stains with a soft cloth dipped in cold water. Several attempts may be required to completely remove the spot. Dry the spots well with a hair blower set on low.

3. Clean paint stains with a solvent to remove the spots. Use cold water to wash the solvent from the area once the stains have been eliminated. Dry the spots well with a hair blower set on low.

4. Smooth out the fur with a steam iron. Fill the reservoir of the iron with distilled water. Set the temperature gauge to the appropriate setting for furs, according to the instruction manual. Iron the fur with the "steam" feature set to "on."

5. Gently comb through the fur with your fingers. Never use a comb, brush or any other physical tool to comb through the fur coat. Use caution when coming across a snag or tangle in the fur.

6. Bring fur coats that are soaking wet or contains tears to a professional furrier. Choose a furrier company that specializes in the cleaning and glazing of fur coats. Ask about the cleaning process in detail to select the best vendor.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not store a fur coat in a plastic bag. Fur coats require air circulation. Hang the coat in a dry area for storage, such as a closet.

• Avoid using metal hangers or clothes hangers that contain sharp edges. Sharp points on a hanger can rip the lining of the fur coat.

• Keep fur coats out of direct sunlight. Long exposure to light can cause the fur to dry out.

• Avoid contact between the fur coat and cigarette smoke, perfumes, hair sprays, moth balls or other products that can leave a permanent odor.

• The best way to get the results you want is to send your fur coat to be cleaned at a specialized furrier. Frank`s furs and Fashion (www.franksfurs.com)has 45 years of experience and can help you.

References

• Furs: Fur Care
• Fur Information Council of America: Caring For Your Fur