How to wash real fur?

Medz

Hello,

I was given two real fur stoles by a former neighbour.  I neither know nor do I think I really care which animal or animals they came from. 

As you can see I use them to line one of the beds my two cats enjoy sleeping in. 

I would like to wash them before my cats spend more time sleeping in that bed when winter starts in earnest this year.

I can’t (and don’t want to) spend money having them professionally cleaned.  

Is there a straight forward and inexpensive way for me to wash the stoles at home myself (without losing the cosy quality of the fur for my cats)? 

Thanks and best wishes. 

TELLIT01

As you aren't willing to pay for them to be professionally cleaned do a Google search there is loads of advice on there.

grumbler

dry-cleaning

Medz

TELLIT01 said:

As you aren't willing to pay for them to be professionally cleaned do a Google search there is loads of advice on there.

Thanks Tellit01. I hoped one of the fine folk on here might have personal experience and recommendations. 

Best wishes. 

FreeBear

Hand wash using warm water and a minimum of pure soap flakes. Do not use biological detergents. Rinse a couple of times in clean warm water, and then lay out flat to dry. You may find the skin shrinks and stiffens up when dry - Not a lot you can do about that unless it is stretched over a drying frame.

Medz

FreeBear said:

Hand wash using warm water and a minimum of pure soap flakes. Do not use biological detergents. Rinse a couple of times in clean warm water, and then lay out flat to dry. You may find the skin shrinks and stiffens up when dry - Not a lot you can do about that unless it is stretched over a drying frame.

You’re a superstar. Thank you Freebear. Best wishes. 

ka7e

The traditional way was to rub in Fuller's Earth. It deodorises, removes oil and generally freshens the fur. I remember my Granny having her stoles cleaned like this!https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/59447616

Nile

Hi Medz

I remember many years ago, talking to a lady who had worked in a shop selling real fur coats. She told me that to clean real fur, never wash it................use wheat bran. If you google 'cleaning real fur with bran' you'll get some suggestions.
Regards

Nile

-taff

You don't wash a fur stole or coat or anything that's made to wear in soap and water. It will stiffen and shrink and the leather will stain.

Take it ouside, bang it a bit from the inside and let it air. In the dry. Use fullers earth or you could just as easily use some dry shampoo, just not too much.

Medz

-taff said:

You don't wash a fur stole or coat or anything that's made to wear in soap and water. It will stiffen and shrink and the leather will stain.

Take it ouside, bang it a bit from the inside and let it air. In the dry. Use fullers earth or you could just as easily use some dry shampoo, just not too much.

Thanks -Taff I’ll give it a go. Best wishes. 

[Deleted User]

I think my own cat would be completely spooked by that in her bed, she'd probably hiss at it and hide until it was gone from the house 😆😆 


Edit: I wonder if you could sell them on ebay ?