Care Tips
How do I know when my fur or leather garment needs cleaning?
Fur and leather are quite durable and will give many years of beautifully service if cared for properly. The first rule is to have your garments cleaned as needed by an expert. Both can normally be worn for two or even three seasons between cleanings, but too often is far better than too seldom when it comes to cleaning. Soil will become ground into leather with time and hasten wear considerably. Skin oils and makeup can soak into leather and break down the cell structure. Fur becomes matted when soiled, and even hanging in a closet, furs will attract dust and cooking oils from the air. Fur should feel soft a smooth to the touch, and not sticky. When fur is clean, the hairs are separate and slide against each other like ball bearings. When fur becomes soiled the hairs stick to each other and break off easily. Dirty coats wear out quickly. The message is simple. The cost of regular cleaning will be rewarded with better appearance and longer life for your furs and leathers.
What the heck is glazing?
After a fur is cleaned it is “glazed” with a rotating heated drum which straightens and fluffs the hairs, and brings natural oils into the hollow hair shafts. Glazing is never done to a fur before cleaning, as this would only lock in soil. Glazing a clean fur leaves it fluffy and silky, and naturally protected against the elements.
What if I get caught in rain or wet snow?
Most of the animals from which your fur and leathers come spent some time in rain, snow and even water without harm. Most furs have an insulating underwool and protecting guard hairs which lay down and cover the underwool and skin when wet. Smooth and sueded leathers have no hair to protect them, so we have to help with chemical protectants that repel stains and water. In either case, the procedure is the same if you get caught in a downpour. Before going indoors, give your garment a good shake at the doorway to remove most of the water. Hang the garment on a broad shouldered hanger where it will be free of other garments and can air dry slowly. Do not hang it wet with other coats or hang in front of or above a heat source. When dry, shake the fur to fluff it up. Care must be taken in combing or brushing furs. If you can’t resist, be gentle and use a fine wire cat brush to brush in the natural direction of the fur. A water spotted leather can be gently wiped with a damp cloth to erase spotting.
Should I keep my furs or leathers in plastic covers to protect them from dust & soil?
NO!!! Poly bags or plastic garment covers stop airflow and cause static electricity which can bend or “singe” hair tips. This is not only unattractive, but it shortens the life of the fur. The best cover for furs or leathers is breathable fabric…the cheapest, a pillowcase with a hole cut for the hanger. We have proper length breathable garment bags available for travel and hanging.
Why do you recommend cold storage for my furs in the summer?
Heat, humidity, and bugs are the worst enemies of furs. All these things exist more in the summer when you’re not wearing your fur anyway. Putting your furs into cold storage does several things. It gets them out of your house where they might end up spending the summer cooking in a hot guest room closet with the other winter clothes, or in a damp basement thought to be cool and safe. Bugs and moths like to find their way inside during the summer, and fur coats make great nests. The result is a bald spot in the fall. Every fur is completely inspected when it comes in for storage. This catches small repairs before they grow, and points out the need for cleaning when appropriate. Storage fees pay for a calendar year, so customers may take furs out and put them in as often as desired during the year. Our vault is completely secure, fireproof, and climate controlled at 52° and 40% humidity. Your furs will go to summer camp with about 2,000 of their friends.