Can you wash a mink coat in a washing machine?

A mink coat is an expensive purchase that requires proper maintenance to keep its longevity and beauty. Many people wonder if they can just throw it in the washing machine and skip the hassle of cleaning such an expensive item. Is it a safe decision, even though it seems convenient?

It’s critical to clarify what washing a mink coat in a machine could genuinely accomplish because there are varying pieces of advice out there. Fur is quite different from delicate fabrics, even though washing machines have settings for them. If you wash it incorrectly, the damage could be irreversible.

In this post, we’ll examine some safer alternatives to washing your mink coat in addition to delving into the question of whether doing so is actually a good idea.

It is usually not advised to wash a mink coat in a washing machine due to the high risk involved. The agitation, water, and detergents used in machine washing can cause serious harm to the delicate fur and inner lining. It’s safer to rely on professional dry cleaning to preserve the coat’s quality, softness, and longevity—even if a machine has a gentle or fur setting. Machine washing can cause irreversible damage, matting, and shine loss that reduces the value and appearance of your mink coat.

What will automatic washing lead to?

It is improbable that someone would think of stuffing an opulent mink coat into an automated device. It’s too costly to take a chance on that item. It is strictly forbidden to wash natural fur in a washing machine. You can bid a fur coat farewell after you’ve thrown it into the drum.

The mink skins will become softer after being in water for an extended period of time, and the pricey item will lose a sizable portion of its pile when the drum rotates. Therefore, a plush fur coat will remain "half-bald" after washing, making it unwearable.

The machine also receives an addition of detergent. Even with the safest gel for cleaning woolen items, the short fur coat will eventually become totally useless due to the increased destructive effect of soapy water.

Avoid over-wetting mink coats as this can cause damage to the material over time.

A natural fur coat doesn’t need to be taken to a dry cleaner. A mink coat can be easily reconditioned by you at home using your own hands. Let’s work out a proper way to do it without compromising the quality of the product.

First, choose cleaning products

A mink coat can be cleaned with both "folk" techniques and common household chemicals. Certain products will effectively remove dirt and provide extra protection for the fur. However, these compositions are not inexpensive, and they are limited to specific retailers.

A mink coat can be cleaned with:

• Insaf – professional liquid for fur care. Fights dirt, protects the product from moths, forms an invisible film on the pile that repels dust. Also has an antistatic effect, which prevents hairs from rolling;
• Ultra Finish Milk – after using the product, the fur shines, becomes silky. The composition does not glue the villi, removes the most persistent dirt from the mink;
• Fur Fresh Salamander – professional aerosol for natural and artificial fur. Deep action spray cares for the pile, saturates it, returns softness, restores shine.

When cleaning a mink coat with specialty products, adhere closely to the manufacturer’s instructions as stated on the packaging.

Professional compositions have to be used precisely as directed. This will shield fur-coated clothing from harm. Most stains can be removed with household chemicals, so it is preferable to purchase a product if you can.

You can use transparent shampoo or a gel designed for cleaning delicate fabrics to clean a natural fur coat. The following will be the sequence of events:

• fill a basin with warm water, pour in the required amount of product (1 tbsp. spoon);
• mix the solution until a "soap cap" forms;
• apply foam to the dirty area with a brush, 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.

A mink coat can be cleaned with home cures. For this, animal lovers opt for the most basic household chemicals.

1. Alcohol solution. To prepare a cleaning agent, you need to combine medical alcohol with water in a one to one ratio. It is better to pour the resulting composition into a spray bottle and spray the fur evenly. After this, the villi should be lifted with a sponge or brush, combed with a comb. The manipulation must be repeated 3-4 times. The clean fur coat should be dried, then shaken, and fluffed up the fur with a hairbrush;
2. Ammonia. The algorithm of actions will be similar to the use of medical alcohol, only the volume of water must be doubled, that is, the proportions will be one to two;
3. Acetic acid. Table vinegar will easily cope with light dirt, will help to neutralize unpleasant odors, will have a softening effect. To prepare a cleaning solution, mix water, ethyl alcohol and 9% vinegar in equal volumes in a container. In the composition, you need to wet a sponge, squeeze it well and treat the dirty areas. Afterwards, you need to blot the wiped area with a clean, dry napkin and hang the fur coat for airing.

Gasoline can be used to clean black mink. The fuel liquid needs to have the highest level of purity possible. After wetting the sponge, gently wipe the fur. It is best to hang the fur coat in a well-ventilated room to hasten the evaporation of the gasoline "aroma."

The cost of medicinal vinegar or alcohol is one hundred rubles, so "folk" cleaning techniques are regarded as being very affordable. If using mild solutions isn’t an option for removing stubborn stains, you’ll need to seek professional assistance.

Safe dry cleaning

Mink fur can be cleaned with a dry method. In this instance, mechanical action is used to remove the dirt. What will assist housewives is:

• wheat bran. They perfectly absorb grease and dust from the pile. The algorithm of actions is simple: you need to heat the flakes in a frying pan, put the short fur coat on a flat surface and sprinkle it with hot bran. After they cool down, it remains to shake out and comb the fur coat thoroughly;
• talc, starch, wheat flour. They will play the role of an absorbent. Any of the listed products is carefully distributed over the pile, lightly rubbed in. Afterwards, the powder must be cleaned off. The procedure is carried out until the dry mixture being removed remains white, as it was originally. While it darkens, the manipulation is repeated. This option is most suitable for cleaning light fur coats;
• river sand. Make sure to sift the mineral, then heat it in the oven and spread it over the mink. When it cools down, shake out the fur coat and comb it thoroughly;
• sawdust. Be sure to use shavings of non-coniferous species, you can buy it in pet stores. Suitable for cleaning dark mink coats. Mix sawdust with gasoline and spread on the surface of the fur. After 5-10 minutes, brush off the mixture with a soft brush. Afterwards, hang the sheepskin coat out to air.

Fashionistas who are hesitant to wet the fur can choose from these options. You can safely and dry-clean the fur coat because starch, flour, or bran won’t hurt it.

Technique for removing complex stains

Contamination of the fur coat cannot be avoided, not even with the most cautious wearing. The pile gets covered in dust, the collar comes into contact with skin, makeup residue sticks to it, and the fur around the pockets becomes less noticeable. Simple stains can be eliminated with an alcohol solution, vinegar, or soap foam.

Over time, ugly yellow spots may develop on beige, blue, or white mink coats. You can use hydrogen peroxide (5 ml of the medication needs to be added to 200 ml of water) to revive the fur. Using a spray bottle, apply the prepared liquid to the fur, comb it through, and let it dry.

A more concentrated liquid needs to be prepared if the yellowed area is large. Pour a glass of water with 30 milliliters of hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia in it. Then, completely treat the fur by soaking a sponge in the product. After that, hang the fur coat from a hanger until it dries fully.

It is acceptable to use specialized products, such as "Lovestin" or "Vaitton-FS," to remove yellow stains from light fur.

The following solution works well for removing grease stains and sweat traces: dilute 3 ml of ammonia, a teaspoon of salt, and a few drops of transparent detergent in a glass of water. After applying and massaging the mixture onto the affected area, it is removed with a dry napkin after 15 minutes.

The fur coat smells unpleasant

Odors are quickly absorbed by natural fur. You can use a specialized spray, such as "Odorgon," to treat the fur coat to get rid of the smell. You can also hang the sheepskin coat in a well-ventilated room and moisten it with a vinegar solution. A short fur coat placed in a case with a handful of coffee beans inside can be helpful in this kind of situation. Coffee is a favorite beverage of many people. There’s no need to mist it with perfume; the smells will blend together and nothing positive will happen.

It is extremely dangerous and can cause major damage to wash a mink coat in a washing machine. Even though some washing machines have gentle cycles, valuable and delicate items like mink fur are not meant for these kinds of machines. The coat’s natural sheen can be reduced, shedding can occur, and the texture can be ruined by agitation, exposure to water, and even mild detergents.

It’s best to leave the cleaning to the pros if you want to preserve the coat’s quality and increase its lifespan. Expert dry cleaners for fur clothing are aware of the proper techniques and materials to use so as not to damage the coat.

Though it might seem convenient to try washing it yourself, the risks of damage greatly exceed the advantages. To ensure that your mink coat remains opulent and in excellent condition for many years to come, it is safer to make an investment in professional cleaning.

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Can you wash a mink coat in a machine or is it better by hand?

Can you wash a mink coat in a machine or is it better by hand?