Can you wash rabbit fur in the washing machine?

Can you wash rabbit fur in a washing machine? With the advent of washing machines, many homeowners are eager to abandon hand washing altogether, entrusting it to the washing machine. However, while most textiles and shoes can withstand intense spinning without issue, certain fabrics and materials are strictly prohibited. In the latter case, the item can be damaged after just one cycle, so it's best to determine whether the risk is worth it before loading it into the drum.

Today, we'll find out whether it's safer to machine-wash rabbit fur or not. All the pros and cons and possible alternatives are listed below.

Is it possible to introduce rabbit fur to the machine?

The opinion of experts and manufacturers is the same and unwavering: rabbit fur and washing machines are incompatible. Even one cycle on the gentlest program will irreversibly damage the product – the soft pile will crumple, mat, and become hard and unattractive. Moreover, the rabbit should not be soaked in water at all; only dry cleaning is allowed.

Rabbit and hare fur cannot be washed in a washing machine – dry cleaning only is recommended!

Dry washing rabbit or hare fur can be done in several ways. The most optimal and effective methods are those using flour, sawdust, and starch.

One way to clean hare fur is to wash it in flour. The procedure is as follows:

we find a dry basin proportionate to the product;
pour flour into it;
put a fur coat or hat on top of the flour;
carefully “wash” the fur with your hands, trying to process every section of the pile;
Afterwards we shake the flour out of the fur and air the product.

Another effective method for safely cleaning a rabbit requires sawdust from coniferous trees—pine, spruce, fir, or larch. These trees contain resins needed for "washing" the fur. Clean sawdust is poured into an enamel basin and moistened with clean gasoline. The fur garment is carefully "washed" over the basin, with heavily soiled areas being treated twice. Once the process is complete, the garment is shaken out and combed.

It's best to clean white fur using potato starch. Place the rabbit fur coat or hat in the bathtub and sprinkle generously with the powder. Mix baby shampoo or soap with warm water, pour the resulting soapy solution into a spray bottle, and spray the fur until a paste forms. Spread this paste evenly over the fur and then let it dry completely. Brush off any hardened bits with a clothes brush, finish drying, and thoroughly comb the fur.

Home remedies for cleaning fur

The solutions suggested by experts aren't always feasible at home. Therefore, experienced homeowners have adapted them, replacing detergents with more readily available ones and simplifying the cleaning process. For example, you can wash a rabbit fur coat or hat with talcum powder, vinegar, bran, or semolina. Follow the instructions below and be sure to test the chosen solution on an inconspicuous area first – this will minimize the risk of damaging the fur.

Starch. This powder is excellent at absorbing dirt from fur, so simply rub it into the fur and leave it for 30-40 minutes. Then, remove the darkened substance and assess the results. Repeat the process if necessary.
Vinegar. A vinegar solution of water and acid, diluted 2:1, is excellent for removing grease stains, eliminating unpleasant odors, and restoring the softness, smoothness, and shine of fur. Just remember safety precautions: work in a ventilated area and wear rubber gloves.

For dry cleaning of fur, natural absorbents are used – starch, bran, talc, flour and semolina.

Bran. If you spread the fur garment on the floor, sprinkle it with this powder, and leave it for 15-20 minutes, the flakes will absorb dirt, leaving the nap clean. Works on fur of any color.
Hydrogen peroxide. To make a solution, mix one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide, half as much ammonia, and 400 ml of water. This is best suited for light-colored and white fur, as it eliminates yellowing and graying caused by prolonged storage or high humidity.
Talc, semolina, baby powder, or flour. Rub any of these powders into the fur and leave for 30 minutes. Then, vacuum and shake out the coat.

Dry cleaning uses natural absorbents that can soak up dirt from the fur without damaging it. The beauty of these absorbents is that they can be easily combined for optimal results. For example, baby powder is often mixed with bran in a 1:2 ratio.

Tips from experienced housewives

Fur is an expensive, beautiful and very capricious material to care for. To preserve its original appeal, shine and softness, it is necessary to approach wearing, cleaning and drying with the utmost responsibility. The following recommendations from experienced housewives will help you handle your rabbit correctly:

fur cannot be ironed;
the pile does not tolerate drying with hot air, as it deforms at high temperatures;
When drying, it is important to set the correct direction of the fur, constantly combing it;
After washing, the detergent must be completely removed from the pile, shaken out and vacuumed;
It is unacceptable to leave fur under direct sunlight;
You must not wring out the trim and lining made of fur – the water must drain naturally, which will take 5-7 hours;
You can speed up drying by wrapping the fur in a dry terry towel;
the fur trim is combed as often as possible;
It is better not to do home cleaning, but to immediately contact professionals.