Properly storing your fur coat is actually one of the best ways to keep it in prime condition. Unlike synthetic coats, or those made from other natural fibers, fur needs some very specific conditions to maximize its functional longevity.
Although it’s best to choose a professional place such as fur storage from Koslow’s Furs, if you’ve got some vaunted pieces from a Siberian sable, caribou, or seal skin, you might be able to manage with the following tips. At the very least, they provide you with an idea of the scope of attentiveness to keep the coat in tip-top shape.
1.Storage – Back of the Closet
Fur is averse to constant sunlight. Don’t take this to mean (obviously!) that you shouldn’t wear it outside – after all, it serves the animals of nature quite well. It’s just that, unlike a t-shirt, if you store it for months on end in a place where the sunlight lands on it day-after-day and week-after-week, you will degrade its utility.
Furthermore, fur is best stored at cooler temperatures where moths and other insects have a very hard time surviving. In the dark, and far back inside your closet is a pretty good place for these purposes. Of course, if you’ve got high-quality fur, then you want to consider professional storage until winter. In fact, if you have an air conditioner in your home, place it near this during the warm spring and summer months.
2. Avoid Cedar and Woods with Natural Oils
These materials are obviously okay for your everyday clothing – after all, you wash them pretty frequently, and any oils that seep in aren’t really ever noticeable. For a high-quality item such as a fur coat, you cannot afford to suffer the amount of moisture these materials naturally absorb.
In fact, it is for this reason you should also avoid placing mothballs and silverfish-catchers in the closet where your fur coat resides. They can stain the fur, as well as absorb the oils that protect it from too much humidity. As the humidity rises, the fur will get damaged even if it’s somewhat water-repellent. Remember; the water is attacking it nonstop under these conditions, for months at a time.
Lastly, fur tends to take on the odor from cedar and mothballs, and sometimes, even the most extensive, non-destructive cleaning can have a hard time removing the smell.
3. Choose An Appropriate Hanger
You might have noticed how some of your heavier sweaters deform if the hanger is too narrow. Then you shouldn’t be surprised that it’s even more important to opt for a broader hanger when storing a fur coat in your home. Professional services, of course, have perfectly-made hangers just for the considerable weight-bearing purpose. You can procure the correct general size at almost any clothing store, though, and it should be good enough for home storage.
4. Don’t Store Fur in a Garment Bag
Fur coats require circulation. When placed in a garment bag, the place quickly becomes dank and humid, which can cause the hairs to eventually stiffen and crack. This takes a long time, but the process begins right away. If you must place it in a bag, use a cloth bag that has plenty of breathing room. Drying out a fur coat makes it mostly useless, and this is what a plastic bag will do.
5. You Need Plenty of Closet Space
Fur coats should be allowed room to breath even when they’re in a cloth bag. Avoid trying to push it into the back part of your closet if you’ve got too many clothes in there. It’s better to remove the clothing! Overall, home storage of a fur coat is possible, but if the climate in your area isn’t amenable to it, consider the professionals.
