Category Archives: Maintenance and Storage

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How to Store Fur Coats at Home

Why fur coat storage is essential.

While furs are undoubtedly luxurious, cozy, and beautiful, they require special handling when it comes to storage. After all, a properly maintained and stored fur coat could last decades.

Regardless of where you live, chances are you’re not going to continue to wear that beautiful jacket all year long. No, at some point, you’re going to need to store it. Your first inclination might be to toss it on a hangar and stash it away in a closet.

If you want it to last, that would be the wrong thing to do.

A proper storage area needs to be cool, dry, and well-ventilated. This prevents mold from growing and allows the garment to retain its elegant sheen.

So what are the ideal long-term conditions for fur? We call it the 45/55 rule as it applies to both temperature and humidity.

The ideal temperature for storage.

You should keep your furs between 45°F and 55°F. This temperature range keeps the fur’s natural oils from breaking down.

The ideal humidity for storage.

Just like the temperature, the best humidity conditions should be between 45% and 55% humidity. This prevents mold from growing and also serves the oils.

The best way to store a fur coat.

If you’re looking at your Nest thermostat and wondering, how do you keep the temperature and humidity just right, you’re not alone. However, that’s why professional furriers offer cold storage options for all of your fur coats and accessories.

When you’re done wearing the elegant garment for the season in mid to late spring, head down and drop it off with your local furrier. Most furriers offer storage options, but if they don’t, they’ll know who does in the area.

They will usually conduct a thorough inspection of the fur, pack it up, wrap it up, and store it properly until you’re ready to pick it up the following season. Usually, it’s a full-service storage option. Professional furriers know precisely how to care for your luxury piece and will ensure it remains in top shape for the next time you’re ready to wear it.

How much does professional cold storage cost?

The total costs to store the fur depend on the location and total garments you have stored. However, in general, you can expect to pay anywhere between $50 to $150 for cold fur storage.

Like most things in life, costs vary greatly depending on where you live. Someone living in Chicago may pay different fees than someone in New York. More competition in a given area could result in lower costs as well.

In addition to location, if you’re storing multiple garments, most furriers will offer a discount. So don’t hesitate to take your jacket, cape, and hat down to your local furrier for storage.

If you must, here’s what you need to do to store fur coats at home.

Fur hangers are designed to retain the shape of the garment.

First of all, we highly discourage storing your furs at home. It’s challenging to get the conditions just right in your home.

So what do you do if storing at home is the only option? Here are a few considerations for keeping fur coats (or other accessories) at home.

Free hanging. Instead of folding up in a box or bag, be sure to hang the garments freely, so they retain their look and don’t get creases.
Proper fur hanger. Using a hanger designed for the weight and shape of the fur coat is essential to keeping the form. When a fur coat is on the wrong type of hanger for months on end, you might find the shoulders will lose their shape.
Let them breathe. Your first thought might be to wrap them in plastic to protect them. However, the proper way is to cover them with a cotton bag as that will allow the garment to breathe.
Avoid sunlight. Find a place that does not have direct sunlight on your garment. Sunlight has harmful UV rays that can affect the coloring of the hairs and dry out the garment.
Stay away from the basement. Many fur lovers want to place their jackets in the basement as it’s probably the coolest place in their house; however, keep in mind the basement typically has the highest humidity levels as well.
Watch out for pests. Lastly, make sure you store the fur in a place that is free of pests. Rodents and bugs find fur particularly appealing and will destroy a jacket quickly.

Fur coats are costly investments that will grace your wardrobe for years if properly maintained. If you must store them at home during the warmer months, be sure they are stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. You should also avoid storing them in areas with moisture or high levels of humidity.

The best way to store a fur coat would be at a professional furrier who will take care of all your cold-storage needs and ensure you never have to worry about how to keep your furs looking their best for years on end.

What to do with that Inherited Fur Coat

How to determine if the fur is real or fake.

After you receive possession of what appears to be an elegant and beautiful fur jacket, you’re probably wondering whether it’s real or fake fur.

Fake fur, after all, won’t be nearly as valuable or as comfortable as the real deal. So determining whether you have an authentic garment on your hands is one of the first things you should do.

If you’re familiar with fur coats and accessories, then you might be able to identify faux fur just by looking and feeling it. Keep in mind that faux fur has become increasingly sophisticated over the years, and an untrained eye might not be able to determine faux from real.

You can do a few things to determine whether or not you have an authentic fur or a knock-off.

Look test. Animal fur is complex and is designed for warmth. That’s why there are multiple layers to it. Look closely at the hair as you lightly blow on it. You’ll want to see to the base of the fur. With real fur, you’ll see shorter curly hairs with longer hairs protruding out. However, fake fur will be uniform, with all hairs generally the same size and color.
Burn test. Don’t be scared; it’s just a tiny piece and won’t harm the jacket. Take a small clipping of fur and hold them over a flame. Fake fur will have a plastic scent and will harden into a ball. Real fur will smell like burnt hair; we all know that smell.
Take it to a pro. A professional furrier deals with furs every day. They can spot a faux fur the second it walks into their shop. If you want an expert opinion, take your newly acquired jacket to a reputable furrier and get their take. They won’t steer your wrong.

Have the fur inspected and repaired.

At this point, you’ve determined that you have an authentic fur coat. If you took it to a furrier to decide whether or not the fur is real, then they might’ve given you a bit more information, such as who made the coat and where and when a furrier made it. These indicators will provide you with some insight into the jacket’s value.

Now it’s time to have the coat thoroughly inspected and repaired. Over the years, the coat could have some wear and tear, and you’ll want to get it back to pristine condition. So take the coat to a furrier specializing in inspections and repairs to have them check it out thoroughly inside and out.

The first thing they’ll inspect is the overall general condition of the coat. They’re going to look closely at the fur and liner to assess whether or not they can repair the coat.

Next, they’ll identify any rips and tears in the jacket and repair them. With their experience and expertise, they’re usually able to fix minor tears without damage to the fur and will be unnoticeable when they’re done.

Lastly, they’re going to re-attach any buttons and fix any zippers that may have fallen off or were damaged over the years. Their goal is to make the jacket look new and functional like new as well.

Once the furrier completes the repairs, you’re going to want the jacket to look and smell fresh.

Professional cleaning.

A jacket that has been tossed in a closet or basement for a few decades might not smell very fresh. It may also be covered in dirt and grime, which will detract from its luster.

You’ll want to have the coat professionally cleaned by a furrier or a service that specializes in furs. Often that same furrier that told you the fur was real conducted the inspection and made the repairs can also clean the fur.

Beware; however, you may read online that there are ways for you to clean the fur yourself. You may be tempted, but keep in mind that your inherited fur coat might be a valuable vintage piece and should be professionally cared for. That’s why we recommend taking it to a professional cleaner as they’ll be sure to handle the jacket with care.

Store it to preserve the elegance.

At this point, the inherited fur coat is repaired and cleaned. You now have a vintage coat that looks as new as when you inherited it.

But how do you keep it that way?

The best way to maintain your fur coat is by having it stored by a professional.

Fur is organic material that will break down just like any other material if given the opportunity. However, to do so, it needs particular atmospheric conditions. However, fur storage companies maintain a humidity level and temperature that reduces the chances of your material breaking down.

You might want to wear the jacket more frequently during the colder months. That is perfectly fine. Take the jacket out of storage and store it in your closet between uses. Nevertheless, when you’re done wearing your coat for the season as it is getting too warm out, take it to a furrier for storage. They’ll ensure that it is secured and enclosed in an environment perfect for the fur.

Congratulations, you have a beautiful fur coat.

Now that you know what to do with your inherited fur coat, it’s essential to take the necessary steps to preserve its elegance and value. Have the jacket inspected and repaired by a professional furrier, then have it professionally cleaned before storing it away for the warmer months.

By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to enjoy your vintage fur coat for years to come.

Tips for the Best Chinchilla Fur Coat Care

When to clean your fur coat.

Chinchilla fur coats can get quite dirty, especially in the winter months when you’re wearing them the most and the weather is the worst. It would be best if you cleaned them regularly to keep them looking their best.

It’s a good idea to wash your chinchilla fur coat after wearing it about 3-5 times or sooner if you notice any dirt or debris embedded in the fur.

You’ll also want to consider taking it to a professional fur cleaner once a year (usually at the end of the season), so it gets a thorough cleaning and is ready for the next season.

Steps to keeping your chinchilla fur coat in tip-top shape.

As an owner of a fur coat or any other fur accessory, you should have a firm understanding of how to maintain and clean your product. It’s relatively simple as long as you stay on top of it and do not allow dirt to build up. For any soiled parts or deep stains, we highly recommend you consult a professional furrier to see about having it cleaned properly. This will ensure your coat lasts years and years.

Shake out the dust thoroughly.

This first step is to get any loose particles such as dust and debris from the coat in the easiest and least invasive way possible.

Take the coat outside on a nice day and lightly shake it up and down while holding the collar end of the coat. This will allow anything that is not stuck to the fur to shake loose.

It would help if you did this regularly as it will prevent dirt from building up, and you won’t have to take your coat in for a professional cleaning nearly as often.

Brush out the dirt with a fur brush.

Now that the fine particles are removed from the coat from the shakedown, stroke it with a brush that has soft and fine stainless steel bristles not to damage the fur.

Using a fur brush should get most, if not all, of the remaining dirt from your luxurious jacket, and it should be good to wear on a chilly night on the town.

For the stains, gently dab with a clean and damp cloth.

Before we go any further, you need to be warned; you do not want to rub the stain to remove it. This will push the stain into the hairs and make it difficult, if not impossible, to remove at all.

Take a clean cloth and apply just enough water to make the cloth damp. You don’t want so much water to soak the fabric and, therefore, the fur, but enough to loosen up the dirt to remove it with the cloth. The key is to keep the hair as dry as possible yet still pull the stain out.

Now dab the fur lightly with the cloth. Do this repeatedly until the stain is removed.

Once you have removed the stain, allow the jacket to dry thoroughly before putting it away in a closet or a garment bag. Storing your fur improperly, especially while wet, can result in mildew and odors on your beautiful coat.

Use sawdust to remove stains and grease.

Perhaps you had too much fun the night before and got a deep stain on your chinchilla jacket. It happens, but shaking it out and dabbing with a damp cloth doesn’t get it clean—time to use an old trick that many furriers use: sawdust.

Lay your coat on a flat surface such as a table with the stained area exposed. Sprinkle some sawdust on the soiled area and allow it to sit for at least a few hours – even better if you can leave it overnight. Then gently vacuum up the loose sawdust. Keep in mind you want to remove the sawdust from the coat and not the fur, so don’t vacuum it like a rug.

Professional cleaning.

If none of the above worked, it’s time to take your chinchilla garment to a professional fur cleaner. They specialize in cleaning fur products and typically do an outstanding job at removing tough stains. Remember that not all cleaners specialize in fur; it’s in your best interest to take it to a furrier or fur salon that knows how to care for your chinchilla fur coat.

On top of taking your fur to the cleaners for deep stains, as mentioned, you should make it a practice to take your coat into the cleaners at least once a year. This will keep your jacket in great shape for years.

When not in season, store your Chinchilla fur.

One of the best things you can do for your fur to make it last is to have it professionally stored.

Of course, you can opt to store it yourself in your closet, but a fur salon stores furs in a controlled environment at around 55°F with around 50% humidity. These are the ideal conditions for the hair to survive storage during the summer months. Additionally, a furrier will usually inspect your fur for damages and fix them as necessary.

As you may have noticed, there are several ways to care for your chinchilla fur coat. The best way is usually a combination of the steps we outlined in this article. But if all else fails and you want professional cleaning done on it, make sure that they specialize in fur care. We hope these tips help keep your expensive wear clean!