Products made from faux fur and leather are gaining popularity. Artificial sheepskin coats and fur coats are affordable, easy to wear and easy to care for. But even such a wardrobe item requires careful care, which will increase the wear life of the product. In this article we will tell you how you can easily clean an artificial sheepskin coat.
Which sheepskin coats can be washed
Care and cleaning of outerwear items does not allow experimentation due to the high cost of the products and high risks. For this reason, it is necessary to follow all the rules and techniques so as not to spoil the thing and achieve the desired result.
All types of sheepskin coats can be washed, but the process depends on the material, style, finish and presence of decorations. For clarification, it is recommended to look at the product label.
Advice. It is difficult to wash a sheepskin coat like in a dry cleaner, so it is recommended to immediately contact a specialized service. This is a reliable way not to worry about the cleaning result and get a well-washed item without flaws. However, not all companies employ sheepskin coats, especially those made of genuine leather.
Peculiarities
This type of outerwear requires special care, which not all owners of sheepskin coats know about.
Simply washing the product in a machine will not work. Otherwise, the item will be damaged and will have to be thrown away. Before you start cleaning, you need to determine whether we are dealing with natural or artificial clothing. The cleaning process will depend on this. We recommend that you carefully study the care label for your product before wearing it. It is there that all the wearing rules will be described, taking into account all the individual characteristics of your wardrobe item. It is also advisable to keep this label, since the dry cleaner may ask you for it when you need its services.
There are a number of features and general recommendations for caring for artificial sheepskin coats:
- try to ride public transport while standing. This way you will reduce the risk of tanned leather rubbing in some places and avoid accidental stains on the product;
- store the sheepskin coat in a dark place where bright daylight does not penetrate. This way, its color will remain for many years, and you will not need the services of a restorer for a long time;
- protect your sheepskin coat from water. Try, if possible, not to get wet through and through, this can stretch your sheepskin coat and ruin its appearance;
- treat the product with water-repellent products of proven quality brands;
Important! To clean stains, use a special lint care product. Apply the product to the stain, remove excess with a sponge and dry the product. To remove grease stains, use tooth powder.
Machine washable
Winter clothes require special care, since the material from which the clothes are made is easily damaged. It may lose its appearance and its qualities; moreover, during the washing process, the washing machine may be damaged, since not all types of equipment are designed for bulky items.
Important! Before washing, it is recommended to read the washing machine passport, which indicates the permissible volume of clothing. This information is also indicated on the case.
Washing sheepskin coats made from artificial materials
Is it possible to wash a sheepskin coat in a washing machine as indicated on the label?
The label usually indicates whether the faux sheepskin coat can be washed by hand. In any case, throwing the item in the washing machine is the most extreme option; it is recommended to clean the surface of the sheepskin coat as it gets dirty, so as not to resort to a washing machine.
It is much easier to take care of things made from artificial materials compared to natural leather. Manufacturers are aware of the difficulties of washing sheepskin coats, so they produce products with good moisture-wicking properties. The special material makes it easier to wash at home and reduces the risk of damage.
Before loading the item into the machine, you need to read the information on the label, which indicates the program and temperature. Typically, faux sheepskin coats can be cleaned in three ways:
- hand wash;
- in the typewriter;
- at the dry cleaners.
When using a washing machine, you need to find out whether it is possible to turn on the spin mode. At the same time, its parameters are always set to low speed. The water temperature should not exceed 30°C, otherwise the artificial leather will be deformed. Gel is suitable as a detergent, as it is quite effective and does not harm the material. Moreover, it is easily removed from the fiber structure and does not leave soapy residue.
Important! When processing sheepskin coats, you cannot use washing powder due to the likelihood of streaks. Bleach and chlorine products are also not suitable for artificial and natural leather.
Washing sheepskin coats made from natural materials
Clothing made from real leather and fur is the object of many people's dreams, as such things look good and keep warm even in harsh weather. Nevertheless, you have to pay for this, and not only in monetary terms: you need to properly care for the thing. Natural materials require special treatment and careful handling.
To understand whether a sheepskin coat can be washed in a washing machine, you need to evaluate the procedure parameters written on the product label. It should be remembered that natural sheepskin coats made of leather cannot be washed, as they become deformed during prolonged contact with water. For this reason, it is customary to wipe them with a sponge using folk remedies. Moreover, the item cannot be wrung out to avoid creases. You also need to dry your leather sheepskin coat away from sunlight and radiators, otherwise the leather will begin to crack and its original color will be lost. Leather products are susceptible to careless influence. When caring for a sheepskin coat made from natural materials, you need to remember a few rules:
- Follow the label information and do not use unauthorized cleaning products. You should also try not to expose your skin to friction or getting wet.
- It is recommended to use starch and semolina to remove fat and dirt from natural leather, as they do not lighten the material and do not leave marks.
- If moisture gets on the product, you should dry the sheepskin coat by laying it out on a flat surface. In this case, you should not use a hair dryer that is too hot or place the item on the radiator.
- As soon as the leather is dry, the sheepskin coat needs to be gently kneaded so that it straightens out and there are no traces of folds left.
- Pockets, sleeves and collars are the most difficult places, but they can be easily cleaned using a mixture of tooth powder and ammonia diluted in equal proportions. After application, they should be cleaned with a cloth or sponge. For complex stains, you can use a brush.
Important! When washing clothes made from genuine leather, it is recommended to use a minimum of detergents. In this case, it is forbidden to use powder; It is better to replace it with folk recipes or a weak soap solution.
Additional recommendations
Due to the fact that the skin does not tolerate prolonged contact with water, the sheepskin coat must be completely dried after each wash.
How to dry it properly
A wet sheepskin coat should be hung on hangers outside or in a well-ventilated area. To speed up this process, you can rub your clothes with a terry towel. Fur and lint should be combed after the procedure. It is prohibited to use veins or other heat sources for drying.
How to soften a sheepskin coat after washing
To soften the skin after cleaning, use glycerin or vegetable oil. However, both remedies give temporary results. Castor oil softens natural and artificial leather more effectively. This product must be applied to the entire surface, wait an hour and repeat the procedure. Instead of castor oil, you can use a colorless hand cream.
Is it permissible to wash a sheepskin coat by hand?
Self-washing of the product is only permissible for artificial leather and suede, since natural material does not tolerate prolonged exposure to moisture.
In household chemical stores you can find a product for cleaning fur and leather. Sellers can also give useful tips on how to wash a faux sheepskin coat by hand and how to care for it after the procedure. If you cannot get special household chemicals, you can use folk remedies or a weak solution of washing gel.
First you need to vacuum, comb and clean the fur. If it is seriously soiled, it can be washed in warm water, but it is better to treat only stained areas. After washing, the fur loses its appearance, sticks together, the lint falls out - such a product can no longer be restored. If the material is processed locally, then after drying it is enough to comb it, and to add shine it can be wiped with a weak solution of acetic acid.
Removing stains using folk remedies is a common method. Salt, starch, tooth powder with ammonia and other recipes are suitable. As a rule, most products act as sorbents, that is, they draw out dirt and absorb it. To achieve the effect, the substances must be changed regularly - once every 1-2 hours until the stains are completely removed. At the end of the procedure, the sheepskin coat is vacuumed using a soft furniture attachment.
To remove old contaminants, many housewives use a steam generator. This is a safe way to remove blots, since the hot steam acts gently and does not wet the surface. In addition, it does not take much time, and the product itself is disinfected and smoothed.
Also, for difficult stains, a solution of ammonia and glycerin is effective, which are combined in equal proportions with the addition of 1 tsp. borax and 2 tbsp. clean water. A cotton pad is soaked with this product, then the stain is thoroughly coated. The remaining mixture is removed with a napkin.
Storage conditions for natural items
Despite the fact that such a thing as a natural sheepskin coat cannot be washed in an automatic machine, if it is stored correctly, it can be ensured that it will always have an excellent appearance. To do this, when storing an item, certain conditions must be met:
- Lack of bright light.
- Avoid exposure to excessively dry air.
- Storing things in a case.
- The sheepskin coat should hang in the closet on hangers.
- Fighting moths using special means.
What is dry washing of sheepskin coats at home and how is it done?
If the product cannot be washed in a machine due to the fancy natural leather or the abundance of decorative accessories, you can use the tips for dry washing. There are three ways to clean an item without water:
- vacuum cleaner;
- local removal of dirt and stains;
- treatment with special protective compounds.
First, you should lay the item out on a flat horizontal surface and vacuum it. The floor brush should be replaced with a furniture attachment, as it is more gentle on the surface of the material.
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The fur must be cleaned with special care, as a lot of dirt settles on it. Fur inserts are washed with soapy water and then allowed to dry. In this case, the fur should be dried vertically to avoid deformation.
In the store you can purchase a moisture-wicking composition that is sprayed onto the products. It not only prevents water absorption, but also makes cleaning easier.
How to secure your washing machine.
Massive buttons and other decorative elements can damage the washing machine drum and scratch it. It often happens that small parts fly off during washing and get into the machine mechanism, causing failure. To avoid this, use laundry bags, they will help avoid damage and better preserve the product, and you can additionally turn things inside out. Also study all care labels, they indicate all the information about operation.
Savelyeva Marina Viktorovna, 37 years old, Ivanovo
I prefer to dry-clean my favorite sheepskin coat, but sometimes I wash it at home. My jacket is artificial, made of suede, so I wash it exclusively in the machine. The first time I was afraid for the item, but after washing the sheepskin coat was not damaged, it looked much fresher than before.
Startseva Natalya Igorevna, 28 years old, Petrozavodsk
When it was time to wash the sheepskin coat, I wondered if it could be done without dry cleaning. I read about machine washing and decided to try it - my jacket is made of faux suede, and the machine is quite powerful. I was pleased with the results, next time I will wash it the same way.
Daryalova Maria Sergeevna, 35 years old, Tomsk
I don’t like the smell of clothes after dry cleaning, so I prefer to wash my sheepskin coat at home. I load the artificial jacket into the machine, the main thing is not to forget to set the water temperature to low. After several washes, the sheepskin coat looks as good as before, and no unpleasant odor remains on it.
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Folk remedies
Shearling coats made from both natural and artificial materials should be washed using folk remedies; however, powder or aggressive solutions should not be used. Common recipes include:
- semolina;
- starch;
- yesterday's bread.
You need to sprinkle and rub a little semolina onto the dirt, then shake it off. The process is repeated until the stain disappears. Starch works in the same way - when rubbed, it absorbs dirt. Moreover, it is suitable for oily stains that are usually difficult to remove, especially from natural leather. The bread should be slightly dry. You need to rub the stain with a stale crust until it is completely removed.
Attention! Getting rid of fresh dirt is much easier and faster than getting rid of dried blots, so don’t put off cleaning until later.
Bread, starch and cereals can be replaced with a pencil eraser, salt, tooth powder or chalk. These substances absorb and remove dirt safely for natural or artificial leather. Sometimes it becomes necessary to use sandpaper, but this is a risky method as the hard surface can damage the material.
The following methods are used to clean a sheepskin coat made of genuine leather:
- Salt. First, the product is placed on a horizontal surface. You need to pour the product onto the stain, rub it evenly and let the dirt absorb. It usually takes 2-3 hours to wait, depending on the complexity of the contamination. Next, the sheepskin coat is cleaned with a brush or vacuum cleaner. Salt helps with greasy blots, as well as with old stains that have been absorbed. It is recommended to use a finely ground product.
- Ammonia paste. To prepare the mixture, take tooth powder and ammonia (a couple of drops is enough). The stain is brushed and then left to dry. After some time, the dirt is cleaned off with a damp sponge. This method is good for treating greasy areas on the collar and sleeves.
- Glycerin solution. Add glycerin and 2-3 drops of ammonia to 250 ml of warm water, then apply to the stain with a soft sponge.
- Soapy water. The surface of the skin is washed with a dampened cloth, but the solution should not be too concentrated.
- Milk and soda. To prepare the paste, you need to dissolve 1 tsp. baking soda in a small volume of a dairy product, then moisten the sponge and rub the contaminated area of the sheepskin coat.
- Acetic acid solution. It can be poured into a spray bottle and sprayed onto the dirt. It is also a good way to give a product a fresh look.
After the procedures, it is recommended to hang clothes on the balcony, but direct sunlight should be avoided, otherwise the skin may fade. For this reason, the best time is late evening or night.
