All Russian women are divided into those who have a mink coat and those who dream of it. A fur coat is a welcome gift from a man, an indicator of status, a guarantee of attractiveness. After purchasing winter clothes made from natural fur, the urgent question is how to care for and store a fur coat. And then learn a number of rules:
- do not wear in sunny and warm weather;
- do not wear in rain or sleet;
- protect from abrasion - do not put your hands in your pockets, use a scarf or handkerchief around your neck.
Fur color may change as they age. This is especially noticeable on white specimens, which begin to turn yellow. When choosing a product, carefully inspect the model you like . After purchasing, keep it away from the sun and don’t even think about painting it yourself. With proper care, a mink product will serve its owner for ten years. Just follow simple recommendations to maintain its original appearance and quality.
Why does fur turn yellow?
The yellow color gives away an old fur coat. Any white fur will turn yellow over time. This happens due to loss of pigment and drying of the hair. Two factors accelerate the yellowing process:
- lack of care;
- improper storage.
Precipitation, dust, and cosmetics settle and linger in the white fur, causing a yellowish or grayish tint to appear. Color is also detrimentally affected by sunlight and heat, for example from a battery. Therefore, fur products should be stored in dark cases in a cool place. It is recommended to take them to special fur storage facilities (refrigerators), where the optimal temperature for the wool is maintained.
Fur is coming out - what to do?
Sometimes it happens that lint starts to come out of a fur coat. There can be many reasons for this problem, but they are divided into two main groups: poor quality material and violation of operating rules . In the first case, this may be a violation of the technological process when cutting and sewing the product. The raw materials may have been stored in improper conditions, or the skins may have been removed from an old and sick animal. Such nuances should be carefully monitored when choosing a fur coat in a store .
The second group of factors is improper use and storage of fur coats . It can be damaged by moths, this may be due to exposure to aggressive chemicals used by road and utility services in winter, or violation of the rules of cleaning and maintenance.
The problem of crawling fur cannot be solved . The process is irreversible, and if it started due to the fault of the owner, then all that remains is to throw away such a fur coat. If the problem is caused by some production factors, that is, the case falls under warranty, then there is still hope to return the low-quality product to the store or replace it.
How to wear a fur coat?
It will be easier to care for your fur coat if you wear it carefully. Fur perfectly absorbs any odors, over time they mix and change, becoming unpleasant. This even applies to the scent of perfume. You can’t spray it on the product itself; it’s better to perfume the scarf. You should not allow fur to come into contact with your bare neck; a neckerchief or similar accessory will help protect it from sweat and cosmetics.
Another important property of fur is that it crushes and wears out with constant exposure. Even a bag with a shoulder strap, which is familiar to many representatives of the fair sex, will leave a mark in the form of a receding hairline. This will not happen immediately, but quite quickly. So it’s better to choose clutches or products with short straps that are comfortable to carry in your hands.
Caring for a mink coat involves not only timely cleaning and drying, but also proper wearing.
To make your mink live longer, hang it only on hangers
To keep your product looking fresh and beautiful, follow these rules:
- wear a fur coat only on frosty, dry days;
- Carry an umbrella to protect your fur from rain and snow;
- wear a scarf so that the fur does not come into contact with your bare neck and does not absorb sweat;
- try not to crush the lint while wearing it.
Wear the item carefully. When you get home, hang it on a hanger so that the product does not lose its shape.
Do not expose the product to direct sunlight or wet precipitation. Besides:
- Do not spray perfume directly onto the fur;
- do not pin brooches to the product;
- Avoid contact with cosmetics.
The less deformation and chemical exposure, the better.
How to care for a mink coat
Take care of your mink fur all winter long. Check the product when you get home. Don't wait for stains to dry. Do not wear fur when it is wet, otherwise it will lose its shape.
How to dry mink
If your fur is wet, dry it properly at home:
- Gently shake the product.
- Hang your coat over broad shoulders.
- Absorb excess moisture by gently pressing a soft cloth against the fur.
- Hang the product indoors, away from direct sunlight.
Important. Do not dry your fur with a hairdryer, heater or gas. Do not shake or wrinkle clothes while drying.
How to clean a mink coat
If your coat is stained with street dirt, dry it first.
Before drying, wipe off the reagents along the edges of the long film. Dry mink fur using a soft brush or sponge. In case of heavy dirt, use the vacuum cleaner at the lowest level.
Dry, dusty clothes. If the wool is wet, the dust rolls into the lint, gets stuck deep inside the wool and gives it a gray tint. How to wash a mink coat at home:
- rye bran (pure black mink);
- semolina;
- starch (pure white mink);
- sand.
Combine the selected material in a dry frying pan. Make sure that it does not burn, otherwise slag will remain on the wool along with a bitter odor. Spray the fur with the hot mixture. Rub the skin with your hands and leave for a few minutes. Shake the coat and comb the fur.
A steam cleaner or steam generator will help clean the fur and restore its shine. However, use the device only after cleaning and removing stains. Otherwise, the dirt will soften and sink deeper into the fur.
How to protect fur from abrasion
Pocket edges, shoulders, sleeves, hems and collars wear out over time and leave your hair looking unkempt. To avoid rapid wear and tear, do not rub the fur with the straps of handbags, watches, or with your hands hidden in your pockets. Protect your collar with a scarf or scarf. To keep fur from chafing your steering wheel, buy a model with shorter sleeves or leave the coat in the back seat when traveling.
Torn areas are difficult to repair at home. Contact the studio to bring your favorite fur to life.
Pay attention. Mink fur and public transport do not mix. Due to constant rubbing, the fur quickly becomes unusable.
How to clean a mink from yellowness and complex stains
Mink coats can be cleaned dry or wet. If possible, do not wet the fur too much. Treat stains locally using a cotton pad. A mink hat and mouton are cleaned in the same way.
Yellowness
It is more difficult to care for a white mink coat. Light fur turns yellow over time.
White mink turns yellow over time and loses its beauty
This most often occurs due to bright lighting or humidity. Remove yellowness with animal shampoo:
- Add a few drops of shampoo to warm water.
- Lather well.
- Using a soft hand, collect the resulting foam and apply to the yellow areas.
- Brush through.
- Shake and leave to dry.
If pale yellow marks remain, wet them with a 1:1 solution of hydrogen peroxide using a cotton pad. After treatment, leave the fur coat to dry.
How to clean mink fur from greasy stains:
- Place the product on a flat surface.
- Sprinkle with sawdust.
- Leave for a few minutes.
- Brush and shake the product.
Cosmetics
Traces of foundation and lipstick can be removed with vodka:
- Soak gauze or cotton pad in the liquid.
- Wipe the pile according to the growth of the lint.
- Leave to dry.
- Comb with a brush.
Clean vomit fur using dry and wet methods:
- Rub starch into the stained area.
- Dilute a small amount of washing powder in water.
- Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
- Spray onto the treated area.
- Clean with a sponge.
- Leave to dry.
- Comb with a brush.
Note. If you are cleaning a brown fur coat, use a powder without bleach.
For whitening at home, household chemicals that have a whitening effect are suitable. These include hydrogen peroxide, lemon, bite. If it is not possible to lighten an item using traditional methods, it is recommended to clean it with special means.
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When cleaning with liquid products, you must ensure that the liquids used do not get on the inside. Otherwise, it will become deformed, go in waves, and when it dries, it will become brittle and hard.
To avoid damaging the fur, it is recommended to clean with a 9 or 6% vinegar solution.
Concentrated citric acid can turn white fur yellow, so it is better to clean with freshly squeezed lemon juice, without pulp or seeds.
How to use:
- Mix vinegar and lemon juice in equal proportions.
- Pour into a spray bottle and shake.
- Spray onto yellow stains and spread the liquid over the surface with a soft brush.
- Shake and hang to dry on a hanger.
- Brush the white coat with a fine-tooth comb.
Salt and ammonia
The mixture will whiten, refresh and clean white items.
How to clean:
- Add a tablespoon of salt to 500 ml of water, stir until completely dissolved.
- Pour in a tablespoon of ammonia.
- Pour the solution into a spray bottle and apply to the dirty surface.
- Wipe with a soft cloth or brush.
- Shake and hang to dry.
Peroxide and ammonia
A mixture of two bleaching liquids can remove yellowness from even old fur.
Substances should be used with caution so as not to “burn” the product. How to clean:
- Pour a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide into a glass of water.
- Add a couple of drops of ammonia.
- Stir and soak a cotton pad or soft cloth in the solution.
- Gently wipe the surface and leave to dry.
Magic Snow
The liquid is specially designed to remove yellowness from white mink. Manufactured in Germany. It is expensive: for 100 ml you will have to pay 2 thousand rubles.
How to clean white fur:
- Dilute one part bleach liquid to 4 parts water.
- Pour into a spray bottle and shake.
- Spray onto yellow areas.
- Hang to dry, shake and comb the mink periodically.
To tint an old mink coat, it is recommended to use tinting paint in the form of a Furasol spray. For mink, white or light gray color is suitable.
Storing fur products in summer
How to care for a white mink coat? Storing and caring for light-colored items always requires more attention, because white clothes always have stains that are very difficult to get rid of.
If you don't want your mink fur to turn yellow, store light-colored clothing in a dark blue case that will prevent the lint from fading. But before you put the fur coat in the case, you should check whether the case is painted or not. To do this, you need to wipe it from the inside with a white cloth. If the fabric does not stain, then you can pack your outerwear in a sealed bag.
What to do if the mink fur turns yellow? Mostly, yellow spots appear on the surface of fur clothing due to foundation cream, powder or eau de toilette getting on the fur. To return your mink item to its original appearance, it is recommended to dry-clean your winter outerwear. If for some reason you do not have the opportunity to take your fur coat to a company that professionally cleans products made from natural fur, then you can use improvised means.
For example, the following method is allowed: lay the fur product on a flat surface, which must first be covered with a light piece of cloth. After this, the surface of the fur coat should be generously coated with talcum powder, and then shake thoroughly and comb the pile. This method will help restore a fresh look to fur clothing, as well as remove unpleasant odors that have been absorbed into the surface of the fur material.
Sometimes some owners of light mink coats sprinkle their fur with semolina, starch or flour. But such products are not very effective. What is this connected with? These bulk substances can remain between the villi, as a result of which, if moisture gets on the fur, the product particles can swell and ruin the fur product.
Having studied the information, you now know how to properly care for a mink coat in order to maintain its original elegant appearance.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with Tips and Recommendations on how to wash a knitted mink hat correctly. How to wash faux fur at home
Before summer, prepare your fur coat for storage until next winter:
- Carefully inspect the fur, look for stains and damage.
- Clean and repair it yourself or through a workshop.
- Hang your clean fur coat on soft, wide hangers.
- Fasten all the buttons.
- Comb and pack in a case.
- Hang the item in the closet so that it is surrounded by empty space.
About twice a month, remove the product and hang it in the fresh air, avoiding the sun. Before putting your fur coat back in the closet, comb the fur.
If possible, do not store fur coats in the apartment, but take the product to a fur storage facility, which is often organized by dry cleaners. In a special refrigerator with a humidity of no more than 50%, the fur will remain clean and beautiful until future frosts.
Take care of protection against moths. Place a scented bag in your pocket. You can make it yourself from linen or cotton fabric. Place dried lavender, tobacco, dry zest or cotton balls soaked in fir oil inside. When airing your fur coat, renew the bags.
Before putting your fur coat in the closet, put a scented bag in your pocket.
Avoid aerosol products that can damage the structure of the fur.
If there is a smell
The easiest way to freshen a mink coat is on the loggia. Before putting the product in the closet, hang it on hangers and leave it on a cool loggia for a couple of days. Make sure that the fur is not exposed to sunlight.
Remove persistent unpleasant odors with a vinegar solution. Distribute the liquid using a spray bottle and leave to dry on a hanger.
Learn how to remove second-hand smell from fur items.
Which case to choose
During storage, the fur must “breathe”. Choose a cover made from natural fabrics in dark colors. Do not pack fur items in polyethylene or synthetic covers.
Advice. It is better to pack a light mink coat in a blue or blue case so that the fur does not turn yellow.
Since outerwear is worn only in the cold season, in the summer you need to properly store your fur coat. But first it should be prepared.
- Inspect the product for dirt or damage, both externally and internally. If they exist, and it’s not just a tiny speck, then you shouldn’t try to clean the item yourself at home. Proper care will be provided by dry cleaning specialists. Even if no obvious flaws are found in the appearance of the product, it still needs professional cleaning every two years.
- Ventilate in a cool place with good oxygen access. In this case, direct sunlight is not allowed.
- Comb the pile with a special brush.
- Hang on hangers. They should be wide; you can find these in fur stores.
- Fasten all buttons.
Winter: wearing rules...
Mink is capricious to wear and does not tolerate neglect. For a fur coat to remain beautiful for more than one season, it must be worn correctly. And here’s what you should pay attention to before “walking” your pet.
- Freezing. Mink loves low temperatures. Therefore, a frosty day is a great reason to take a walk in your favorite fur outfit.
- Sun. Bright sun causes the color to fade. It should be avoided so that the fur does not lose its luxurious color.
- Moisture. What happens to your hair after it rains? Same as with fur. If you suddenly get caught in wet snow, get to a warm room as soon as possible, shake off the moisture and dry your fur coat at room temperature. You can’t use a hairdryer - it will dry out the pile and leather fabric.
- Dust. Dust settles on the hairs, gets clogged into the pores of the leather fabric - the fur coat quickly loses its luster and looks untidy. If it’s already frosty, but there’s not enough snow outside, and the wind raises clouds of dust, leave your fur coat at home until better times.
- Friction. It is a nightmare for a fur coat. Even with slight but prolonged pressure, the fur wrinkles. And with constant friction, it’s even worse: the guard hair breaks, the underhair gets wiped out, and ugly bald patches appear. Therefore: we carry bags exclusively in our hands and diligently avoid crowds.
- Reagents. Mink fur is very delicate and does not tolerate exposure to aggressive substances. It is better not to walk along streets treated with reagents in a long fur coat: the route should be from the entrance to the transport and back.
How to clean a mink from yellowness and complex stains
It is recommended to clean the white mink from dust and sediment using dry methods. The powders will carefully “pull out” dirt and whiten the product. Unlike wet methods, you don’t have to worry about the undercoat matting or the inner fur becoming deformed. Heavily soiled white items can be cleaned with pet shampoo.
The powder will help whiten the white mink and collect dirt without wetting the undercoat and causing an aggressive effect on the hair.
How to clean:
- Level the white product on a hard surface.
- Sprinkle with talcum powder.
- Rub the powder in with light movements.
- Leave for 2-3 hours.
- Shake the mink, comb it out with a brush and hang it on a hanger to air.
White grains are great for cleaning minks from dust and dirty stains. For the best effect, it is recommended to preheat the semolina in a dry frying pan.
How to clean a white mink coat with semolina:
- Lay the fur coat on a table or ironing board.
- Spread the semolina in an even layer.
- Gently rub the cereal into the white pile using movements that imitate washing.
- Shake the fur coat and comb out the stuck white grains with a fine-toothed comb.
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Particular attention should be paid to the dirtiest places: collar, sleeves, pockets. In addition to dust and dirt, semolina will collect grease.
The product is specially designed for washing animal hair.
However, you should not soap the mink generously and then rinse it off with plenty of water. It is better to use a spray bottle:
- Dilute a few drops of shampoo in a liter of water.
- Pour into a spray bottle and shake until a slight foam forms.
- Spray the soap solution over the fur (do not wet the undercoat).
- Brush the white mink fur with a soft brush and hang it out to dry.
Instead of liquid shampoo, it is recommended to use dry shampoo. It is used similarly to talc or semolina. The powder is applied to the surface and rubbed in with your hands. After a few minutes, the item is shaken and combed out.
Cosmetics
How to remove greasy stains from a white mink coat
Light mink is vulnerable to any pollution. Raindrops, cosmetics, and food stains are immediately noticeable on white fur. It is recommended to clean the product when it becomes dirty. Home remedies will help with this.
Ammonia and salt
The mixture will clean a white item from greasy stains of any origin, for example, traces of lipstick.
How to clean a mink:
- Dissolve three tablespoons of table salt in 500 ml of water.
- Add a spoonful of ammonia.
- Mix thoroughly and soak a sponge in the solution.
- Wipe the dirty area according to the hair growth.
- Wipe again with a damp sponge.
- Hang to dry and then comb.
Starch
The white powder perfectly absorbs fat and does not stick together hairs.
Suitable for combating grease on collars and sleeves. How to clean white fur with starch:
- Sprinkle potato starch onto the greasy stain.
- Rub in lightly and leave on for 15–20 minutes.
- Shake the product and comb out the starch with a comb.
How to restore shine
To make the fur shine, treat it with a solution of lemon juice, vinegar or glycerin. Mix in equal proportions with water and apply with a spray bottle. Dry with a paper towel and leave to dry.
A special product will also help restore shine
Prepare the mixture for gloss:
- Add 10 g of soap shavings to 100 g of fish oil.
- Pour in ten drops of ammonia.
- Dilute the mixture with a liter of hot water.
- Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
- Cool to room temperature.
- Distribute over the fur coat.
- Wipe with a paper towel.
Complete the procedures by shaking the product and hanging it on a hanger.
When is the best time to go to dry cleaning?
It is not recommended to abuse traditional cleaning methods. Household chemicals will cope with light yellow color, dust and grayness, but will not be able to bleach mink to its original whiteness. It is better to take an expensive item to the dry cleaner. It is necessary to resort to the help of professionals in case of severe dirt and abrasions.
Experts clean mink coats using two means:
- organic solvents;
- natural sawdust or granules.
Usually perchlorethylene or hydrocarbon is used. Solvents will clean the wool, restore softness and shine, but most likely damage the interior. It is not advisable to frequently treat a fur coat in this way.
Sawdust is a more environmentally friendly and gentle way. The product is rolled in rolling drums. However, not all dry cleaners have such equipment.
Entrust the cleaning of your mink coat to specialists in case of severe and complex stains. You can remove a small stain yourself. Heavy stains of unknown origin are best left to professionals. It is also not recommended to cut your fur coat yourself.
To refresh an old item, go to the dry cleaner every two years. The price of services varies from 1,500 to 5,000 rubles.
Mink fur is a capricious material that does not tolerate moisture and chemical exposure. Handle your mink coat carefully. Keep it clean and in shape when wearing it. Follow storage rules. Then the fur coat will last for several years.
Preparation
First, critically examine the product, as they say, from head to toe
Carefully brush off the dust and ventilate in fresh air. Shake the pile, but do not comb or wipe it before putting it in the closet, so as not to damage it.
Do not store your fur coat dirty and dusty. Try to get rid of various types of stains immediately after they appear. Inspect the hem especially carefully. Remember that dirty fur is a favorite treat for insidious moths!
If you find serious contamination, it is better to take it to the dry cleaner. Mink fur is very delicate and capricious, so try to clean it thoroughly at least once a year, and not at home, of course.
Think about where you will store your jewelry. Naturally, this should be done away from sunlight if you want to keep the shade and shine of the pile unchanged. The most convenient place is the closet. Just not narrow, because such a product loves a lot of space and air. It also does not tolerate proximity to radiators: its interior can dry out and lose flexibility. But high humidity is also not welcome. It likes cool temperatures – maximum 17° C. That’s how demanding it is!
It’s even better to send this wardrobe item to a special fur storage unit in the summer. Isn't there such a possibility? Then listen to the advice of experts.
Additional recommendations
White mink fur should be protected from aggressive environmental influences and potent substances. Regular care rules will help maintain the original whiteness longer.
Cleaning a fur coat at home with a professional fur care product.
Mink is an expensive, delicate fur that will not withstand the effects of aggressive substances. It is not recommended to clean mink coats at home using the following means:
- bleach;
- gasoline;
- acetone;
- baking soda and caustic soda;
- washing powder;
- bleach.
It is important to test the effect of even a mild product on an inconspicuous area. An ideal “sample” is a piece of fur.
What to do if the snow takes you by surprise?
Even if you try to adjust your route, nature can surprise you in the form of snow or rain. And for a mink, moisture can be destructive. Therefore, if you don’t have a large umbrella with you, you need to dry your fur coat after returning home. A hairdryer, battery, and especially an open fire are not suitable for this.
Care is as follows: the product must be shaken to get rid of water droplets, straightened and hung on wide hangers away from heating devices. If the item gets significantly wet, it should be wiped with a rag. Then you need to wait until it dries naturally and iron the pile with a special brush. If a little dirt gets on the fur coat, then after drying it can simply be shaken off with a sponge or removed with a vacuum cleaner at the lowest power. If there is significant contamination, you cannot do without dry cleaning; you can make the situation worse on your own.
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