What woman does not dream of becoming the happy owner of a luxurious, always fashionable mink coat? However, buying it is only half the battle, it is important to know how to care for a mink coat because fur is a very fragile material and with incorrect care can quickly lose all its gloss. For those who want to keep their new outfit looking new, and to enjoy wearing it for as long as possible, there are certain very simple ways to care for it at home.
Wearing a mink coat right
The first thing that every owner of a natural fur coat should remember is only to wear it on frosty and dry days. Ideally, even the sun should not affect the fur with all its intensity on days like that. If the weather caught you off guard and you couldn’t avoid some precipitation, it is very important to know how to care for a mink coat under such circumstances. Be sure to shake off the moisture from the fur and dry it as soon as possible.
How to dry
There is a set of rules to follow when drying the fur:
- hang it on wider hangers;
- do not allow direct sunlight on the coat while drying;
- do not use heaters, hair dryers or gas burners, fur should be allowed to dry on its own at room temperature;
- if your coat is very wet, wipe off excess moisture with a soft rag;
- while the fur dries, do not touch it, move it from one place to another, or wrinkle it to avoid ruining it.
How to clean
If you get dirt on the coat, it is also important to dry it first and then gently clean it with a dry sponge or brush. If you get oil substances on it, sprinkle the spot with sawdust and leave it for an hour to absorb the oils. Then vacuum the sawdust on minimum power.
How to prevent wearing out
The most vulnerable parts that need special care, the ones that can tell how long you have been wearing a fur coat, are the edges of the pockets, shoulders, collar, and sleeves. In order for those vulnerable parts of a fur coat to not “go bald” in the first year or two, it is important to minimize the friction. Owners of fur coats should refrain from carrying heavy bags on their shoulders, wearing a massive watch on their wrist, and putting their hands in their pockets. For those who drive a car, it is recommended to leave the coat neatly folded in the back seat, or choose a style with short sleeves and wear beautiful long gloves. The collar can also be protected by clothing and accessories such as scarves and shawls.
Do not wear a fur coat in crowded places, where you cannot avoid cramped queues or crowds of people. This sort of “socializing” is not good for your coat, it can make it lose its luster and diminish its beauty.
If worse comes to worst, and the edges and pockets are already frayed, you can take your coat to a seamstress, so it can be repaired, or restored using a piece fur of a similar shade.
Properly storing a fur coat at home
If you are lucky enough to live in an area where winter does not reign year-round, you need to plan a comfortable summer vacation spot for your luxurious new coat. Of course, we are not talking about a trip to warm countries, but about storing a fur coat until the next frost.
First, it is important to inspect the fur for stains or damage from reagents. If you see any, it is better to immediately take the fur coat to the dry cleaners.
By the way, the storage and care of a fur coat can be entrusted to professionals, if you do not have time for it. In many cities, there are special refrigerated storage units for furs, where your precious clothes will wait for you just fine.
Those who want to take care of their precious fur themselves will need to follow these simple tips for storing it:
- Use a wide and preferably soft hanger that will protect you from deformation during the warm season.
- Do not hang other things too close to the fur coat. Natural fibers need good ventilation.
- Choose natural fabrics in dark colors for your garment bag. Do not pack the fur in polyethylene or synthetic bags.
- The closet where you store the fur should not be exposed to electric light or direct sunlight.
- It is important to protect the fur from moths. You can use a special moth repelling bag filled with natural ingredients like lavender, placed in the closet, or inside a pocket of a fur coat. For guaranteed effect, it is better to use several bags at once. Forget about using aerosols, the chemicals in them can ruin the quality of the fur and make all your caring efforts moot.
- Make sure to air your coat out once every 2-3 months during the storage period. You need to leave it in the fresh air for a few hours, protecting it from sunlight. This is also when you should refresh your moth repellant bags.
- You could also comb your coat with a special brush while you are airing it out.
Following these steps will help you enjoy a luxurious, shining reflection of your fur coat in the mirror, and stay warm in the most severe frost for many years.