FAQ: How to take care of your fur?

If you want your fur to retain its initial splendor, it is important to follow some basic care rules. Here are the 10 most important ones, according to the Fur Council of Canada:

1.   Always provide your fur enough room in the closet, and hang it on a quality broad-shouldered hanger.

2.   Never cover your fur coat with a plastic or rubber-lined bag, as it prevents air circulation. This may damage the leather by drying it out. Prefer a cloth garment bag, which you cleaned each year by a furrier.

3.   Generally speaking, fur takes in rain and snow far better than other fabrics: when your coat is wet you simply have to shake it well and dry it in a well ventilated room, away from direct exposure to heat. However, if your coat is soaked through, take it immediately to your fur retailer who is best qualified to give it back its beauty.

4.   Never comb or brush fur.

5.   Avoid spraying perfume or hairspray onto your fur.

6.   Also avoid using shoulder straps of a handbag… and don’t pin jewelry: this may damage the coat’s skin and underfur.

7.   Don’t mothproof the fur, and do not lave it to conventional dry cleaners.

8.   Have your fur coat cleaned each year by a furrier. He will also store it for you during warm weather: your fur coat will thus be ideally stored in facilities offering perfect controlled temperature, humidity and light.

9.   If you notice any small rips or tears, show them immediately to your furrier. He will be able to repair them before further costly damages.

10. Finally, note that if the fur inherited from your mother or grand-mother does not suit you, you can always update it to newer fashionable trends... Fur can indeed be re-cut and refashioned according to your personal taste and needs. So take it out of the closet and seek your furrier's advice!

FAQ: Definitions

Guard hair: Long, lustrous outer hair that protects the underfur.                                                       

Underfur: The underhair covered by guard hairs. This is the layer of the fur that acts as insulation to provide warmth.

Knitted fur: A new technique that produces a soft, comfortable, fur-in/fur-out look and feel.                

Plucking: To emphasize the velvet underhair of the fur. All guard hairs are plucked before shearing. 

Leathering: Insertion of ribbon, cloth or leather strips along with fur strips. May be done for fashion or to lighten the weight of the fur.

Dyeing: Process of applying dye to create a new color. Dyeing is sometimes also used to mend any imperfections and improve uniformity. Sometimes the pelt is bleached white before color is added

Shearing: Cutting the fur to a short, uniform pile.