Fur Care

  1. Congratulations you have made a wonderful investment in a Minka’s fur!
    In order to enjoy your fur for many years to come, here are a few tips.

    Your fur is a fairly durable garment, but must be treated with common sense. Furs like the cold, and hate the heat. They don't like friction. They don't like chemicals. They like space.

    • Never put your fur in the washing machine or in the dryer.
       
    • Be sure you store your fur in a closet that is not exposed to light or heat. Then be sure it has room to breathe and isn't being crushed by other garments. Exposure to bright light can fade your fur over time.
       
    • Hang your fur on a broad-shouldered or padded hanger. No wire hangers.
       
    • Don’t cover your fur in a plastic garment bag. Your fur prefers air circulation, to prevent it from drying. 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.
       
    • Accessorize wisely. Don't carry your heavy shoulder bag on a consistent basis, since it will wear the hairs off the shoulder and give your coat a bald spot.
       
    • Avoid chemicals around on your fur, including perfume or hairspray directly on your fur. Perfume contains alcohol, which can dry your fur. Once a perfume gets into your fur -- including cedar from a cedar chest -- it could be there to stay.
       
    • If your fur gets wet, don't panic. Most furs handle snow and a 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. Fur does not like heat. After it dries, shake it again. Do not comb or brush it. If its hairs are a little stiff, simply smooth them with your hand.
       
    • Nothing shortens the longevity of your fur like keeping it in your closet during a long, hot summer. Send it to your furrier for professional storage. This is important every year, for a fur, a shearling, a fur-trimmed garment and even a fur hat or scarf. It's not very expensive and this is the single best thing you can do to care for your fur.
       
    • Have your fur cleaned regularly by a fur specialist, not a dry cleaner, (unless your dry cleaner also provides fur cleaning). The process is different. Your fur should be cleaned every year, unless it hasn't been worn very much. In that case, have it cleaned at least every other year. Besides just cleaning, this conditions your fur, makes it look better and last longer. When you take your fur in for cleaning, this is also the time when your furrier gives it a check-up for any necessary repairs. Always have repairs done immediately, before little problems turn into big headaches.
       
    • You can insure your fur on your homeowner's policy for its replacement value, so you won't be heartbroken in case of theft. Furriers usually offer nominal insurance coverage while your coat is in storage and sometimes make further coverage available for a small fee.