How to Store Furs

Proper storage lengthens the life of your fur.

A garment made of fur is a testament to the investment you have made in your wardrobe. Fur garments are expensive, but they have a timeless appeal that leads savvy shoppers to make them staples of their wardrobes. The amount of time you get to wear your fur largely depends on the climate in which you live. After the season to wear your fur has ended, you must find a storage solution that will preserve the life of your garment. Furs are complex materials, and they must be stored according to certain guidelines.

Instructions

Storage Facility

1. Clean your fur using a professional fur-cleaning service or a dry-cleaning service that can prove its ability to properly care for fur.

2. Call or visit a local fur-storage facility or storage facility that features temperature-controlled units.

3. Ask questions about how the fur is stored. Ask the facility's contact person for details about the proximity of one fur to another during storage, temperature regulation, humidity monitoring, pest prevention and security.

4. Take your fur to the facility that best meets your requirements.

At-Home Storage

1. Clean your fur. Contact a professional fur cleaner, or furrier. Only take your fur to a dry cleaner if the facility has a proven fur track record. Not all dry cleaners are equipped with the knowledge or materials to properly clean fur without damaging it.

2. Select a closet or space in your home that is free from bright lights, heat and humidity. This space should also be free of moth balls and out of range of radiators or heat sources.

3. Hang the fur by its shoulders on a nonmetal hanger so it does not touch other garments.

Tips & Warnings

• Furs are best stored at temperatures ranging from 34 to 45 degrees F and a humidity level ranging from 45 to 55 percent.

• Purchase a wardrobe box if you are low on closet space.

• Temporarily store your fur in a cloth garment bag during travel.

• Keeping your fur in a location that is too hot or humid may cause it to molt.

• Fur should never be stored in a plastic bag.

References

• Extra Space Storage: Clothing and Furs
• Trailside Traditions: Fur Care
• Just Moving: Fur Storage
• Fur Care: Fur Storage

Resources

• Fur Source: Fur Types in Brief
• Fur Care: Find an Authorized Fur Care Specialist