A well-maintained fur coat can last for many generations. While the best option for caring for your coat is to entrust it to a fur coat professional, here are steps you can take to ensure that your fur coat stays shiny. This includes cleaning, deodorizing, and softening your fur coat.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Cleaning Feather Material
Step 1. Shake the fur coat to remove any dirt or dust that has stuck to it
Grab the coat by the shoulders and, as if changing the bed sheets, rock the coat in front of you.
You may need to do it outdoors, or in parts of the house that are easy to sweep. After swinging the coat, the dust will fly in all directions
Step 2. Hang the fur coat well
Fur coats should always be hung on hangers that are wide and have padding to keep the shoulders from losing shape. Due to their nature, fur can stretch and break easily.
Never fold your fur coat
Step 3. Brush the fur coat as it hangs
With a proper bristle brush, start at the top of the coat and work your way down. Be sure to brush in the direction of the bristles, and use small, steady brushes as you work through the small sections of the coat one at a time. The bristle brush has wider teeth and soft edges, which will prevent the surface of the bristles from being damaged by brushing.
- If you don't have a proper bristle brush, you can run your fingers through the bristles to help remove any dirt or grime.
- Never brush your fur coat with a "regular" brush. This will damage the coat because the teeth on a regular brush are too thin.
- Avoid rubbing along the coat. This can stretch the coat.
Step 4. Remove light stains using a homemade solution
Mix isopropyl alcohol and water in a 1:1 ratio, then apply it directly to the stain. Since fur coats are soft, you should always avoid using cleaners or solvents of any kind.
Step 5. Gently rub the stain with a white cloth and let it dry
Do not rinse the solution. Instead, place the coat in a well-ventilated area and allow it to dry completely. The alcohol will prevent any liquid stains from forming on the coat.
- Never apply heat to a fur coat. Hot temperatures will damage the coat and coat.
- Rub gently and being careful not to stretch the skin.
- Be sure to use a white cloth or rag or you can cause the color of the cloth to transfer to the fur.
Step 6. Scrub the entire coat with a bristle brush after the fur is completely dry
Again, clean in the direction of the bristles and work small sections one at a time.
Method 2 of 3: Softening Fur Material
Step 1. Make a softening solution
To do this, mix the vinegar and olive oil evenly in a 1:2 ratio. The oil will soften the skin of the coat and help prevent the skin from becoming dry and brittle.
Flaxseed oil can also work well
Step 2. Remove the coat layer
You will need to apply the softener directly to the leather or the outer layer of the coat, so you will need to remove any layer that is inside the coat. Usually, this layer is made of leather.
Step 3. Soften the coat
Using a clean cloth, apply the solution to the inside of the coat one section at a time, directly on the fur of the fur coat. Dry, brittle coats may need to be softened several times first. If your skin isn't too dry, you may be able to restore its soft texture.
- Do not apply the solution to the fur.
- Make sure the coating is removed.
Step 4. Gently massage the skin
Continue rubbing the softener on the skin using a clean cloth. This will help the coat absorb the oil. Do not scrub the very dry areas excessively. Instead, try to soften the area again after the coat is dry.
A coat that has not been softened may become stiff and brittle
Step 5. Hang the fur coat and let it dry
It will take a few days for the vinegar to evaporate and the oil to be absorbed by the skin. When the coat no longer smells of vinegar, it is ready to wear.
Remember, fur coats should always be hung using a wide, cushioned hanger, to prevent the shoulders from losing shape
Method 3 of 3: Removing Feather Odors
Step 1. Hang the fur coat in a vinyl clothing pocket
Be sure to use a sealable clothing bag to keep the bag as vacuum as possible.
- Never use a garment pocket to store a coat for a very long time. This will prevent the skin from breathing.
- If the skin on the fur can't breathe, bacteria or fungi can grow.
- Remember, fur coats should always hang on wide, cushioned hangers to prevent the shoulders from losing their shape.
Step 2. Fill a small container with ground coffee
The container must be small enough to fit in the bottom of a clothing pocket; but at the same time, large enough to accommodate at least half a cup of ground coffee. Don't close the container.
Step 3. Close the clothes bag with the coffee and feathers inside
Be careful when placing containers under clothing pockets. Since the bag isn't designed to hold anything other than a flat piece of clothing, there's a chance that coffee may spill. Just do your best to minimize the chances of the coffee falling apart.
You can place the coffee in a brown paper lunch bag, but it will take a little longer for the smell to absorb
Step 4. Check after one day
Depending on the type of odor you're trying to get rid of--smoke, mold, etc.,--the odor will probably go away in at least 24 hours.
Step 5. Stir the ground coffee
If the smell hasn't gone away after 24 hours, just stir the ground coffee and let the coat stay in the bag for another day.
Make sure to check your coat every day
Step 6. Remove the coat from the clothes pocket and store it properly
Once the odor on your coat is gone, be sure to take the coat out of the bag to allow it to breathe and store it properly.
- 7 degrees Celsius is the highest storage temperature for fur coats.
- Avoid cedar drawers or cabinets. Cedar oil will damage your fur coat.
- Avoid hot temperatures. Hot temperatures will make the skin on the fur dry.
- Never fold your fur coat.
Tips
- Clean all fur coats at least twice a year to keep them looking the same and clean, as well as making your fur coat shine and smell great.
- If you think your fur coat needs to be cleaned again, you can clean it again the next day.
