A fur coat that has been properly maintained can last for many generations. While the best choice is to have your coat properly maintained by a professional furrier, there are steps that you can take to ensure that your fur coat maintains its luster. This includes cleaning, deodorizing, and conditioning your fur.

How to Clean Natural Fur

  • If you get caught in a light rain or snow, simply shake out the fur and remove as much water as possible. Hang it to dry in a well-ventilated room. Do not use a hair dryer, clothes dryer, or any direct heat on the fur. After it is dry, shake again to fluff the fur-do not comb or brush-simply smooth the fur with your hand.
  • If your coat gets completely soaked with water, you should take it to a professional fur cleaner immediately. Your coat should be cleaned every year by a professional fur cleaner-not a dry cleaner. Even if you don’t wear it often, animal fur gathers dust, oils, and odors. Professional cleaning will add luster and shine to the fur and keep it from becoming matted.  

How you must treat your coat: 

  1. Shake the fur to remove any dirt or debris that has settled onto the coat. Take the coat by the shoulders and, as you would when changing a bedspread, swing the coat out in front of you. You may want to do this outside, or an area of the house that can be easily swept. Once you begin flinging the coat, debris will fly in all directions.
  2. Brush the fur while it hangs. Using a proper fur brush, begin at the top of the coat and begin working your way to the bottom. Be sure to brush the direction of the hair, and to use small and even strokes as you work a small section at a time. Fur brushes have wider spaced teeth and soft edges, which prevent the brush from damaging the skin of the fur. If you do not have a proper fur brush, you can run your fingers through the fur to help clear-out any dirt or debris. Never brush your fur with a “normal” brush. This will damage the coat as the teeth on a normal brush are too fine. Avoid making long strokes the length of the coat. This can cause the coat to stretch.
  3. Remove any light stains by using a homemade solution. Mix one-part isopropyl alcohol with one-part water and apply directly to the stain. Because fur coats are delicate, you should always avoid using any type of cleaner or solvent.

How Often should you clean your Fur Coat

How often you should have your fur coat cleaned depends on a variety of factors, such as how many times you have worn it throughout the course of the year, as well as the climate and conditions under which it was worn.

Professional Natural Fur Cleaning Process

  1. A fur professional will inspect your coat for stains, rips, and tears. The linings are hand-cleaned with specific attention to spots and stains.
  2. The fur is then placed in a large drum filled with sawdust and an environmentally-safe cleaning solution. The coat is tumbled in this drum which draws the dirt and oils from the fur. The coat is then vacuumed to remove the sawdust and hand steamed to remove any final residue.
  3. The next process involves “electrifying” the coat. Using large rollers, electricity is used to make each hair lift, separate, and lie in the same direction. The process is similar to static electricity that makes each of our hairs stand separately on our heads.

Off-season Storage of  Natural Fur

  • Fur hates heat. It is not the actual hair that is affected, it is the hide or leather that can dry out, become stiff, and crack.
  • The optimum storage temperature for natural fur is 45 degrees F. and 50 percent humidity. In fur storage vaults, the room is dark which prevents bleaching and fading of the color. Moths and other insects cannot survive at that temperature.
  • Furs that are properly stored during hot weather can last up to fifty years or more.
  • If you decide not to use a professional storage facility, do not store your coat in a cedar closet or chest. The oils can harm the fur. Keep the fur in the coolest closet possible and always in the dark. Check frequently for insect activity, especially moths.

 

How To Prevent Your Fur Coat From Shedding

When you buy a fur coat, you expect it to last for a long time. After all, it’s a pretty substantial investment. Fur coats can hold onto their value very well, so you want it to remain at a level of quality that is as close to that of its original state as possible. But one of the natural occurrences of owning a fur coat is shedding – it’s inevitable. Just as easily as hair falls out of your head, so it does with a fur coat. However, the good news is there are ways to prevent it from happening so frequently.

Have your fur coat cleaned periodically by a furrier in order to make sure it is properly conditioned. This will keep the fur from becoming brittle and dry. Be sure to put in in a cloth bag when taking it to get cleaned. Never use a plastic bag as this can trap in heat and damage the fur. And do not leave the coat hanging in bright light, as again, these conditions dry out the fur.

One of the easiest things you can do to prevent your fur coat from shedding is to cause as little friction with the coat as possible. If you carry a purse, try not to let it continuously rub against the fur as this induces it to shed. Continuous friction can also cause the fur to wear down. Also refrain from pinning jewelry to the coat or sitting in it for long lengths of time as these activities can crush the fur. And always hang the coat on a broad-shouldered hanger so that it has ample storage space in your closet.

How to take care of different types of fur coat

Mink Fur Coats: Mink tends to collect dust and other pollutants that may not be visible to the naked eye. In general, a mink coat, worn occasionally, should be cleaned at least once every other year, or once a year if worn more often. The better the quality of a mink coat the easier to take care of it!

Cedar closets and regular coat closets are not the best place to store a mink coat during the spring and summer months. The odor from cedar closets will cling to the fur and prove impossible to remove, and a regular coat closet does not provide ample ventilation for the fur. Similarly, real fur should not be stored with moth balls because it will absorb the odor from the moth balls, making the coat unwearable.

Fox Fur Coats: Fox fur coats are a gorgeous choice that is durable and versatile, allowing you to wear your coat or jacket with a variety of outfits.

The pockets of fox fur coats are not meant to hold bulky or heavy items. The weight of the items can pull on the seams, causing deformation of the actual fur. If you notice the lining pulling away from the pelts, it is important to take your coat in for repair as soon as possible to avoid any further damage.

As a general rule of thumb, fox fur coats should be professionally cleaned once per year. However, because they naturally attract dirt, it is important to continually check the level of cleanliness of the coat. If you have an overabundance of dirt on your coat, you should take it in to have it cleaned as often as necessary.

Chinchilla Fur Coats: Chinchilla is arguably the most capricious type of fur that requires a lot of attention and love from its owner. If worn or stored carelessly, this fur can rapidly deteriorate which can be very upsetting as chinchilla is very expensive. To avoid disappointments, read on to find out how to care for a chinchilla fur coat and have it always looking its best for any special occasion.

Rabbit Fur Coats: Rabbit is a treasure for fur lovers who can’t afford expensive mink or chinchilla but still dream about a fluffy winter coat or jacket. Less durable than other types of fur, rabbit compensates for this drawback with low prices and a kaleidoscope of styling and color options, natural as well as dyed. Buying a garment made of this cheap yet beautiful material, you need to know how to care for a rabbit fur coat so that nothing mars the joy of wearing it.
Choose clothes bags of dark colors when storing rabbit fur, especially for white garments. This will prevent the fur from yellowing prematurely. Forget about plastic bags – they are the killers of fur as they cut off fresh air and cause dryness and cracking. Procure bags made of breathable fabrics and make sure they don’t stain.

Rabbit fur gets greasy and dirty rather quickly losing its shine as a result. You can learn how to clean a fur coat at home, of course, but it’s always better to take your garments to the professional cleaner’s or furrier’s

Wear your chinchilla garment with caution to avoid damage to its fragile fur. Don’t lean against walls, banisters, and balustrades when wearing chinchilla. Avoid bending your arms too much. Don’t carry your purses on your elbow or shoulder. Go with small strapless handbags or clutches that won’t come in contact with your fur. If you need to sit down in a car or other means of transport, it is advised to take off your chinchilla coat and hang it somewhere or fold it gently inside out and put on the backseat. If you can’t take off your coat, then it’s better to stand.

Astrakhan Fur Coats: Astrakhan fur is on the wave of popularity due to its high plasticity, warmth, durability, unique curly patterns, and rich color palette. Modern advanced technologies allow manufacturers to make skins lighter and thinner than if traditionally dressed meaning the final garments are of lesser weight and more practical to wear. A garment made of this material can serve without fail for decades, but only if you learn and follow the rules of proper astrakhan fur care.

FAQs: Fur Coat Cleaning & Maintenance

1. How often should a fur coat be professionally cleaned?

A fur coat should typically be professionally cleaned once every 1–2 years, depending on how often it is worn and the environment it is exposed to. Even if the coat looks clean, invisible elements such as body oils, perfume, smoke, and pollution slowly degrade the fur and the leather backing. Regular professional cleaning removes these contaminants while preserving the coat’s natural oils and flexibility, helping prevent premature aging and shedding.

2. Can I spot-clean small stains on a fur coat at home safely?

Only very light maintenance is safe at home. If a small spill occurs, gently blot the area with a clean, dry cloth and allow the fur to air dry naturally away from heat. Never rub, use water, soap, or household cleaners, as these can permanently damage the fur and dry out the leather. For any visible stain or strong odor, professional cleaning is the safest solution.

3. What household conditions can damage a fur coat over time?

Heat, direct sunlight, low humidity, and air pollution are the most damaging conditions for fur. Excessive heat dries out the leather, sunlight fades the fur’s natural color, and dry air causes brittleness. Ideally, fur should be stored in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space with moderate humidity to maintain both the fur fibers and the leather lining in healthy condition.

4. How can I tell if the leather lining of my fur coat is drying out?

Early signs of drying leather include stiffness, reduced flexibility, a crackling sound when moving the coat, and in severe cases, fine cracking or powdery residue. If the leather becomes brittle, the fur can begin shedding and the coat’s structure weakens. These symptoms indicate the coat needs professional conditioning as soon as possible to prevent permanent damage.

5. Is brushing or combing a fur coat necessary — and how should it be done?

Occasional gentle grooming helps maintain the coat’s appearance and prevents matting. Use a wide-tooth fur comb or soft-bristle fur brush, brushing lightly in the direction of the fur. Avoid excessive or aggressive brushing, which can pull fibers from the leather backing and accelerate shedding. Brushing should be done sparingly and only when needed to remove surface debris or restore natural loft.

 Sources: http://www.wisegeek.org/
                  http://www.morriskayefurs.com/
                  http://furscare.com/