The happy owner of a fur outfit must remember: a fur coat requires careful care. Mink products are very sensitive to temperature fluctuations, humidity levels, and the vagaries of unstable weather. That is why it is so important to remember all the nuances of regular outfit care.
Choosing a brush
Pegged option - the optimal solution
First of all, a woman will need to master the basics of combing the product. To do this, you need to purchase a high-quality brush. Special combs are an integral attribute not only in the wardrobe of the owner of a mink product. They are especially important for those ladies who have fur coats made of long-pile fur. These can be models made from:
- foxes;
- arctic fox;
- nutria;
- unshorn sheepskin.
These versions very often face the problem of fur matting, which leads to the formation of pellets and tangles. In this case, lint processing involves the use of the right accessories.
How to clean a beaver fur coat at home
Beaver fur is recognized as one of the most reliable in terms of wear resistance. It is quite hard in texture, the pile is not soft, so the fur coat may well be inherited from a great-great-grandmother. However, it is not protected from dust and other contaminants settling on the surface. You can clean a beaver coat in the following way:
1) purchase brushes for combing pets at a pet store; 2) take starch and distribute it on the surface of the product; 3) comb the pile with a brush, leave for a while; 4) shake off the starch and shake the fur coat a little; 5) if the starch shaken off is not white, repeat the procedure again; Beaver coats can also be white, so they need preventive measures to prevent whiteness. 1) make a paste from purified gasoline and semolina; 2) test the mixture on a small area; 3) if everything went well, apply a thin layer of the paste to the entire surface of the product; 4) give it time to soak, then shake off the slurry; 5) leave the fur coat to dry and shake it again; 6) after removing traces of the pulp, comb the pile with a brush; 7) to give a mirror shine, treat the surface with a leave-in balm-spray or fluid-shine for hair;
Variety of tuning accessories
Using pin brushes to care for a mink coat involves using a variety of accessories. The right comb can be:
- metal;
- plastic;
- wooden.
The versions with rare long teeth are ideal for use. A coat made of mink or other, longer fur can be processed using similar brushes. They help visually improve the condition of the fur, making it fluffier, sparkling, and smooth.
Softness is the most important criterion
When choosing a brush for mink, a criterion such as softness deserves special attention. The comb should not be too hard. Its soft and delicate bristles will allow you to effectively comb your fur coat, giving it a solid, well-groomed and presentable look, without damaging the very structure of the hairs. Using such an accessory, you can not only restore the original condition and maintain the appearance of the fur coat at the proper level, but also give the fur the right direction.
A brush with soft bristles is an excellent solution for a mink coat. Experts advise using only those combs that are presented in the form of a small comb. Ideally, the accessory has sparse teeth, more reminiscent of human fingers.
Methods and means for cleaning mink coats
You can return a mink coat to its original appearance in different ways. Which ones exactly depends on several factors:
- type and cause of pollution;
- color and dressing of fur;
- location of contamination.
Before you start cleaning your mink coat, you need to remove dust and debris from it. To do this, just hang it on a hanger, wrap the product in a wet cloth (preferably white) and lightly beat it out.
After such manipulations, you need to air dry the fur coat and only then start cleaning.
Often, to return a mink coat to a decent appearance or to slightly refresh it, steaming is enough:
- hang the product on hangers;
- treat with steam from a special steamer;
- let air dry;
- shake and comb.
Please note that an iron with a “steaming” function is not suitable for these purposes, as there is a possibility of slightly scorching the hairs.
You can also clean your fur coat with steam in the bathroom:
- turn on hot water, close the door:
- When the bathroom is filled with steam, hang the fur coat there and leave for 30-50 minutes.
Detergents to the rescue
You can remove dirt from mink using special products for cleaning fur products:
- “Insaf” - removes most contaminants, protects against moths and creates an invisible film on the fibers that repels dust. The antistatic effect of the product prevents the pile from falling off.
- “ULTRA FINISH MILK” is a product that restores shine and silkiness to fur.
- “FUR FRESH SALAMANDER Professional” is a spray that restores shade.
When using these products, you must follow the manufacturer's recommendations to prevent damage to the fur.
Specialized products do an excellent job of removing most stains, but they are expensive and are not available in all retail outlets.
Instead, you can use a liquid detergent, for example, neutral shampoo or colorless dishwashing liquid:
- add a tablespoon of detergent to 2 liters of warm water;
- beat the liquid until foam appears;
- apply foam to the fur with a soft sponge or cloth, rub a little;
- comb with a plastic comb with mild teeth.
The mink coat treated in this way should be hung on hangers and dried.
Cleaning with folk remedies
Many lovers of natural fur prefer folk remedies for cleaning mink coats:
- Alcohol solution. To prepare it, mix medical alcohol or regular vodka with warm water in equal proportions. Distribute the resulting composition evenly over the fur (with a sponge or a spray bottle). Gently lift the pile with a soft brush or sponge and comb gently (repeat manipulations several times). Allow the cleaned fur coat to dry, shake well and comb against the lint with a soft brush.
- Instead of regular alcohol, you can use ammonia (the amount of water needs to be doubled). The method of application is similar to the previous one. This product is rarely used because of the specific odor and the risk of damaging the flesh.
- Table vinegar will not only help clean light stains and neutralize odors, but will also have a conditioning effect. Directions for use: in a convenient container, mix vinegar, warm water and alcohol in equal quantities. Moisten a sponge with the resulting liquid and wipe away dirt. Immediately after this, blot the pile with a clean, dry cloth and take the fur coat into a well-ventilated room so that the smell of vinegar disappears.
- Gasoline is used only for cleaning dark-colored mink coats. To remove dirt, soak a sponge in highly purified gasoline and gently wipe the pile. To remove the specific odor, the fur coat should be taken to a ventilated area.
Advantages of folk remedies:
- affordable price;
- ease of use;
- safe for fur, the environment and human health.
Mechanical cleaning methods
You can also clean a fur coat using dry methods, without the risk of deforming the delicate mink fur. The principle of their operation is the mechanical removal of contaminants.
Dry cleaning options:
- Bran (rye or wheat) will absorb fat and dust from mink fur. To do this, the product is heated in a frying pan or oven and evenly distributed over the fur coat. After the bran has cooled, you need to remove it and carefully comb the pile.
- Talc, flour or starch can be used as an absorbent. Distribute the powder over the fur coat, rub in a little and clean off. If the removed powder is dark in color, the procedure should be repeated. These products are suitable for restoring freshness to light-colored mink coats.
- Sand (it is better to use river sand). Sift the natural mineral, heat in the oven until warm and spread over the fur coat. After cooling, shake the fur product and comb thoroughly.
- Sawdust from non-coniferous trees (sold in pet supply stores). Mix a small portion of sawdust with gasoline and spread over the surface of the fur coat. After a few minutes, brush off and hang in a ventilated place.
How to remove stains: dirt, grease and others
Even carefully wearing a mink fur coat will not protect against the appearance of various stains. It could be:
- dirt;
- cosmetical tools.;
- Oil paint;
- fuel oil
Getting rid of them is more difficult than ordinary dust, but with timely action it is quite possible even at home.
The method for removing a stain from a mink coat depends on its origin.
Small stains, such as street dirt, are removed with a soap, vinegar or alcohol solution.
On light-colored mink coats, yellow spots sometimes appear due to age or ultraviolet radiation. You can refresh a slightly yellowed coat with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide (5 ml of product per glass of warm water). The resulting liquid is irrigated onto the fur coat, combed and allowed to dry naturally.
To remove individual yellow spots, they are treated with a more concentrated solution (30 ml of hydrogen peroxide per glass of warm water) with the addition of a few drops of ammonia. The resulting product is rubbed into the pile using a sponge and left to dry. Please note that getting this mixture on the base may damage it.
To combat yellow spots, you can use professional bleaches (“LOVESTIN”, “VITON-FS”), strictly following the instructions.
Grease stains and traces of sweat can be removed with a solution consisting of a glass of water, 3 ml of ammonia, tsp. salt and a few drops of colorless detergent. The mixture is applied to the stain, gently rubbed in and after 10-15 minutes, removed with a clean, dry cloth.
Getting rid of odors
Mink fur, like any other fur, absorbs foreign odors. You can remove them in several ways:
- treat with special sprays that remove odor from fur (for example, Odorgon);
- hang in a cool room with good air circulation;
- treat with vinegar solution;
- place in a tight case with a handful of coffee beans, a sachet with lavender for 2-3 days.
The use of perfume and eau de toilette is not recommended.
How to clean your collar, sleeves, pockets and lining
Sleeves, collars and pockets of outerwear are most susceptible to contamination. Even when worn carefully, they begin to become shiny from natural body secretions and cosmetics. Such contaminants can be removed with soap, vinegar, alcohol or gasoline. In this case, you need to focus on the color of the fur coat.
The lining of a mink coat gets dirty no less than fur. There are 2 ways to clean fabric:
- Treat the lining with soapy water using a brush, dry with a dry cloth or paper napkins. You need to act very carefully so that water does not get on the skin and flesh.
- Remove the lining and wash it. This method is less risky, but more labor-intensive. It is difficult to carry out such a procedure on your own; it is better to entrust it to specialists from the studio.
A small life hack that will make it easier to care for the lining: sew fabric in the same color as the lining onto the bottom of the sleeves, collar and bottom of the fur coat. If necessary, it is peeled off, washed or replaced with a new one.
Let's summarize:
- For home cleaning of light-colored fur coats (white, silver, blue mink), use the most gentle means: soap, alcohol, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, starch or talc.
- Fur coats of dark shades (brown and black) can be cleaned with gasoline, sand, and all solutions except bleach. White powders (talc, starch) can be difficult to completely remove from the pile.
What combs are needed for a mouton?
It is important to remember that mouton fur coats will require their owners to take a different approach to preserving beauty, durability and attractiveness. First of all, this fur differs from mink in its unpretentiousness. In addition, such products are not afraid of moisture. You can flaunt them even in wet snow.
In addition, for high-quality and proper care you do not need a special brush for a mouton fur coat. The video shows that it is enough to purchase a simple comb for the product. The main thing is to refuse to use the accessory for everyday use. The brush should be intended exclusively for a warm mouton fur coat.
It’s great if you can buy a rubber comb. Its teeth act on natural fur very delicately, gently, softly. They are not able to deform the complex structure of the fur and scratch the interior.
All eyes on the stubble
As for the more fancy mink outfits, for them, as for other elite fur, the use of ordinary combs is unacceptable. If a young lady has an elegant, luxurious, expensive coat in her wardrobe, then she will have to give up:
- suede brushes;
- accessories intended for hair care;
- regular combs.
Why is the list of prohibitions so wide? The thing is that the use of such devices can significantly damage delicate and presentable fur. In this situation, not only does the shape of the pile change for the worse, but its structure itself is deformed.
An original product made from elegant mink will require its owner to purchase a special, special brush with soft and sparse bristles. Such a competent approach guarantees the lady a luxurious look of her fur coat and the admiring glances of passers-by.
How to clean a fox fur coat at home
Fox fur comes in different qualities, but it is one of the fluffiest and warmest materials. The more red tint there is in the fur, the more expensive it is valued. Its pile is long, and its undercoat is famous for its extraordinary density. But at the same time, fox fur needs regular cleaning so that the red tint does not change to a grayish-brown tone. For this purpose, fox products should be cleaned at least once a year at the end of the season. Such delicate fur is not intended to be cleaned with powerful abrasives. Use natural organic raw materials, such as wheat or oat bran. For this:
1) purchase sawdust from a pet store; 2) make a paste of sawdust and alcohol (if you don’t have it, take regular vodka); 3) evenly distribute the pulp over the surface of the fur coat (boa, hat); 4) rub it into the pile with gentle movements; 5) wait a while until the alcohol evaporates and the bran takes on all the impurities; 6) shake off the fur coat, let it dry completely, comb the pile with a comb and shake off the remaining mush again; Fox fur is afraid of high temperatures, so products made from it are not dried artificially. Heavy stains (paint, oil) are best removed by dry cleaning.