Can you wash a mink coat in a washing machine?

The beauty of a mink coat is undeniable until it gets dirty. A black shearling coat can last 3-5 years without washing, while a light-colored one will need cleaning much sooner. And then fashionistas face the question: can a mink coat be washed in the washing machine? Definitely not. Dry cleaning is the best choice. However, there are several options for refreshing a mink coat at home. Let's look at all the acceptable methods.

What will automatic washing lead to?

It's unlikely that anyone would think of stuffing a luxurious mink coat into a vending machine. It's too expensive to risk. It is strictly forbidden to wash natural fur in a washing machine. Once you throw your fur coat into the drum, you can say goodbye to it.

Prolonged contact with water will soften mink pelts, and the spinning of the drum will cause the expensive item to lose a significant portion of its lint. Thus, a luxurious fur coat will be left half-bald after washing, making it unwearable.

Additionally, detergent is added to the washing machine. Even if it's the safest gel for washing wool, soapy water will intensify the destructive effect, resulting in complete ruin of the fur coat.

You shouldn't wet a mink coat too much; prolonged soaking is detrimental to the product.

You don't have to take your natural fur coat to the dry cleaner. It's entirely possible to refresh a mink coat at home, with your own hands. Let's figure out how to do it properly without damaging the garment.

First, choose your cleaning products

You can clean a mink coat using both household chemicals and traditional methods. Specialized products will quickly remove stains and provide the fur with additional protection. However, such solutions are expensive and can only be found in certain stores.

To clean a mink fur coat, you can use:

• Insaf is a professional fur care product. It fights stains, protects against moths, and forms an invisible film on the fur that repels dust. It also has an antistatic effect, preventing hair from matting.
• Ultra Finish Milk – after using this product, fur becomes shiny and silky. This formula does not stick together the fibers and removes even the most stubborn stains from mink.
• Fur Fresh Salamander is a professional aerosol spray for natural and faux fur. This deep-action spray conditions and nourishes the fur, restores its softness, and restores its shine.

When cleaning a mink coat with special products, strictly follow the manufacturer's recommendations on the packaging.

Professional products must be used strictly according to the instructions. This will prevent damage to fur clothing. Household chemicals remove most stains, so if you have the opportunity to buy a product, it is better to do so.

To clean a natural fur coat, you can use a gentle detergent for delicate fabrics or clear shampoo. Follow these steps:

• Fill a basin with warm water and pour in the required amount of the product (1 tablespoon);
• stir the solution until a “soap cap” forms;
• Apply foam to the dirty area using a brush and gently rub the area;
• comb the fur;
• remove any remaining foam with a slightly damp cloth;
• Dry the short fur coat by hanging it in a well-ventilated room, away from the sun.

You can clean a mink coat using folk remedies. Fur lovers choose simple household cleaning products.

1. Alcohol solution. To prepare the cleaning solution, combine rubbing alcohol and water in a one-to-one ratio. It's best to pour the resulting mixture into a spray bottle and spray it evenly over the fur. Then, lift the fur with a sponge or brush and comb through it. Repeat this process 3-4 times. Dry the clean fur coat, then shake it out and fluff it up with a hairbrush.
2. Ammonia. The procedure is similar to using rubbing alcohol, except the volume of water should be doubled, so the ratio will be one to two;
3. Acetic acid. Table vinegar easily tackles light stains, helps neutralize unpleasant odors, and has a softening effect. To prepare a cleaning solution, mix equal parts water, ethyl alcohol, and 9% vinegar in a container. Dampen a sponge with the mixture, wring it out well, and apply it to the stained areas. Then, blot the area with a clean, dry cloth and hang the fur coat to air.

A black mink can be cleaned with gasoline. The fuel must be of the highest purity. Dampen a sponge and gently wipe the fur. To help the gasoline "aroma" evaporate faster, hang the coat in a ventilated room.

Rubbing alcohol or vinegar costs $1, so these "folk" cleaning methods are considered very cost-effective. Removing serious stains with gentle solutions may not be possible, so you'll need to opt for professional cleaning.

Safe dry cleaning

Mink fur can be dry-cleaned. In this case, dirt is removed mechanically. The following can help:

• Wheat bran. It perfectly absorbs grease and dust from the fur. The procedure is simple: heat the flakes in a frying pan, lay the fur coat on a flat surface, and sprinkle it with the hot bran. After the bran has cooled, shake it out thoroughly and comb the coat;
• Talc, starch, and wheat flour will act as absorbents. Carefully distribute any of these products over the fur nap and rub them in gently. Then, brush off the powder. Continue this process until the dry mixture remains white, as it was originally. Repeat the process until it darkens. This method is best suited for cleaning light-colored fur coats.
• River sand. The mineral must be sifted, then heated in the oven and spread over the mink. Once it cools, shake out the fur coat and comb it thoroughly;
• Sawdust. Be sure to use sawdust from non-coniferous woods, which can be purchased at pet stores. It's suitable for cleaning dark mink coats. Mix the sawdust with gasoline and spread it over the surface of the fur. After 5-10 minutes, brush off the mixture with a soft brush. Then hang the coat to air out.

These options are perfect for fashionistas who are wary of getting their fur wet. Starch, flour, or bran won't harm it, so you can safely dry-clean your fur coat.

Technique for removing complex stains

Even with the utmost care, it's impossible to avoid a fur coat from becoming dirty. Dust settles on the nap, the collar touches the skin, picking up makeup marks, and the fur around the pockets becomes dull. Light stains can be removed with soapy foam, vinegar or alcohol solution.

Unsightly yellow spots may appear on white, beige, and blue mink coats over time. To refresh the fur, you can use hydrogen peroxide (5 ml added to 200 ml of water). Spray the fur with the prepared solution, comb through, and let it dry.

If the yellowed area is large, you'll need to prepare a more concentrated solution. Add 30 ml of hydrogen peroxide and a couple drops of ammonia to a glass of water. Next, soak a sponge in the solution and thoroughly treat the fur. Then hang the coat on a hanger until completely dry.

You can remove yellow stains from light-colored fur using professional products, such as Lovestin and Viton-FS.

Grease stains and sweat stains can be removed with the following solution: dilute 3 ml of ammonia, a teaspoon of salt, and a couple drops of clear dish soap in a glass of water. Apply the mixture to the stained area, rub in, and then wipe away with a dry cloth after 15 minutes.

The fur coat smells bad.

Natural fur quickly absorbs any odor. To get rid of the odor, you can treat the coat with a special spray, such as Odorgon, hang it in a well-ventilated room, and moisten it with a vinegar solution. A favorite drink in this situation can help: place the coat in a bag with a handful of coffee beans. Don't spray the coat with perfume—the scents will mingle, which won't do any good.

We clean the dirtiest places

As with any outerwear, the sleeves, collar, and pocket areas of mink coats tend to get dirty the most. These areas can be cleaned with rubbing alcohol, vinegar diluted in water, soapy water, or gasoline. When choosing a cleaning solution, be sure to match the shade of the fur.

The lining also gets very dirty. It can be cleaned by brushing it with a soapy solution. Then, blot the fabric with dry cloths. Be careful not to let the water soak the leather, as this can damage the mink skins. The best option is to rip out the lining and wash it separately. The risk of damaging the fur is minimal, but the work will be time-consuming.

   

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