Mode & Affaire

CARING FOR YOUR FUR

Tips & Tricks

INITIALLY LOSING FUR

Initially you may find your garment loses some fur. This is natural with any garment made from real fur, especially for lighter coloured garments. After a few wears and following our steps, this will eventually stop. Our recommendations; initially shaking your jacket outside a few times to rid the loose fibres, place your fur garment into the freezer for a period of time which reduces the initial shedding. On your first few wears, when shedding can be more noticeable, we recommend wearing pieces that the fur is less likely to stick to such as silks and satins. The shedding of loose fibres happens during those first few wears so even wearing the garment around the house prior to wearing it out can help fasten the process. Regardless, after those first few wears the fur settles down and eventually stops.  

 

EACH GARMENT IS UNIQUE

Given the nature of the materials we use in producing our garments, you will find each piece varies slightly making each individual and unique.

 

IF YOUR FUR GETS WET

Most furs handle snow and light rain with ease. Shake it out and hang it to dry in a well-ventilated room, at home or office. Resist the temptation to speed the drying process by using a hair dryer or hanging it near a heat source as fur does not like heat. After it dries, shake it again. Do not comb or brush it. If it’s hairs are a little bristly, simply smooth them with your hand. If your fur has been soaked through, however, take it immediately to be cleaned by a professional.

 

FURS DO NOT LIKE FRICTION OR CRUSHING

Crushing is often experienced whilst driving or in a car. Use common sense when sliding into the seat, so you’re not too hard on your fur. To avoid a flattened bottom print on your fur, don’t sit on it if possible, or at least not on the same spot consistently. Shake out any spots like that on your fur when you exit your vehicle. On long drives, take off your fur and wear it over you like a blanket, if you need to keep warm.

 

HOUSING YOUR FUR

Be sure you put your fur in a coat closet that is not exposed to light, which will fade your fur, or heat, which will dry out your fur. Be sure your fur has room to breathe and isn’t being crushed by other garments

 

DO NOT KEEP YOUR FUR IN A BAG

Your fur prefers air circulation to prevent its leather side from drying out. If you absolutely must keep it in a bag for a short period of time, be sure it is in a loosely woven cloth bag--definitely not plastic, for plastic does not allow the fur to breathe at all.

 

AVOID ALL CHEMICALS

Perfume and hairspray contain alcohol, which can dry the pelts. Once a perfume gets into your fur it could be there to stay. These sprays (including alcohol, solvent, and silicone based substances) will dry the leather and stiffen the guard hairs

 

FUR CLEANING

You do not clean a fur coat just because it gets dirty. The number one concern with fur material is that the natural oils in the pelts will dry out. Once this happens the pelts become so brittle or tender that they will tear with incredible ease, rendering the garment useless. If you feel a fur and then rub your fingers you should be able to feel a very slight oiliness. This is normal. Dust, pollutants, and airborne particulates are attracted to this and get caught in the hairs of the fur. They then act as a sponge drawing the natural oils out of the pelts. These particles also have an abrasive effect on the hairs of the fur that can wear on the natural shine of the fur over time, causing it to look old and tired. When you clean a fur your primary goal is to remove these materials from the hairs.

We do recommend to have your furs cleaned professionally once every year while it is spending the summer months in cool storage. You may also wish to clean it a second time during the winter season if you wear it a lot or it is often exposed to smoke, hairspray, makeup or perfumes.

Furs cannot be dry-cleaned and never should be put in a washing machine or dryer.

 

FUR HATES THE HEAT BUT LOVES THE COLD

Nothing shortens the life of your fur like keeping it in your closet during a long, hot summer. If at all possible, we suggest you store your fur garments in cold storage when you have finished wearing it for the season, this is one of the most important steps you can take in preserving your furs.

 

THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMIDITY CONTROL

Humidity level is important when a fur will be hanging in one place for a significant amount of time. If the humidity is too low (dry air) the natural oils in the pelts will evaporate more rapidly causing the garment to become dry and deteriorate.