How to Clean Fur Coats: Faux, Shearling, Mink, Fox & Rabbit Care Guide

Fur coats—whether faux fur, shearling, mink, fox, or rabbit—add incredible warmth, texture, and quiet luxury to a winter wardrobe. But these pieces also come with one major responsibility: proper care. Fur requires different cleaning techniques than wool, leather, or synthetic fabrics, and using the wrong method can ruin the texture, flatten the pile, or cause irreversible dryness.

This guide breaks down how to clean different types of fur, what you can safely do at home, when to see a professional, and how to prevent damage in the first place.

Quick FAQ

Is it safe to wash a fur coat at home?
For real fur—no. For faux fur—sometimes, depending on construction and label instructions.

How often should fur be cleaned?
Real fur: once a year professionally. Faux fur: spot-clean as needed and wash only when absolutely necessary.

Can I use heat to dry fur?
No. Heat causes matting, dryness, and structural damage.

Does real fur absorb odors?
Yes. Fur can trap smoke, perfume, and food smells, but professionals can deodorize it.

Can shearling be washed at home?
Most shearling should not be submerged in water. Spot-clean only unless the tag specifies machine-safe construction.

Oversized Horizontal Faux Mink Fur Longline Coat

Understanding the Types of Fur

Fur coats don’t all behave the same. Before cleaning anything, you must understand what you’re working with. Here’s a breakdown of the most common categories.

Faux Fur

Faux fur is usually made from polyester or acrylic fibers. It’s far more wash-friendly but can become tangled, stiff, or matted if exposed to heat or vigorous washing.

Shearling Coats

Shearling is lamb or sheep hide with the wool still attached. It’s both leather and wool in one piece, which means it’s extremely sensitive to water saturation.

Mink Fur Coats

Mink has ultra-fine, dense fibers that create a smooth, glossy surface. Water and humidity can remove natural oils and flatten the nap, so cleaning must be handled carefully.

Fox Fur Coats

Fox fur is long, fluffy, and voluminous. It tangles easily and shouldn’t be compressed or dampened heavily.

Rabbit Fur Coats

Rabbit is soft and lightweight but delicate. It sheds more easily and must be handled with minimal friction.

General Rules for Fur Care (Real & Faux)

Although each type of fur needs different cleaning methods, there are some universal rules:

• No direct heat (no hair dryers, no radiators, no sunlight)

• Never store fur in plastic

• Avoid perfume, hairspray, or body lotion near the collar area

• Never brush real fur aggressively

• Keep fur away from moths and humidity

• Always check the care label before doing anything

These rules will prevent 90% of long-term damage.

How to Clean Faux Fur Coats Safely

Faux fur is the most forgiving fur category, but only with gentle care. Here are the safe home methods.

Spot-Clean Method (Best Option)

Use this for small stains, dirt marks, or spills.

You’ll need:

• Mild detergent or baby shampoo

• Cold water

• Microfiber cloth

Steps:

1. Mix a tiny amount of detergent with cold water.

2. Dip a cloth into the solution and blot (don’t rub) the stain.

3. Rinse the cloth and blot again with clean water.

4. Let the area air-dry away from heat.

5. Fluff with a wide-tooth comb when fully dry.

Machine-Washing Faux Fur (Only if Label Allows)

Some modern faux furs are designed to withstand gentle washing.

Steps:

• Turn the coat inside out.

• Use cold water only.

• Select the delicate cycle.

• Skip the dryer—air-dry flat.

Do Not:

• Use fabric softener

• Brush while damp

• Hang to dry (water weight can stretch it)

Snow Leopard Print Faux Fur Stand-Collar Coat

How to Clean Shearling Coats

Shearling is part leather, part wool—meaning it reacts poorly to soaking or scrubbing.

The Safe Method: Gentle Spot Cleaning

Use this for most messes or discoloration.

You’ll need:

• Suede eraser

• Soft brush

• Wool-safe cleaner

Steps:

1. Use the eraser to lift surface marks on the suede side.

2. Brush the shearling lightly to revive the nap.

3. For spills on the wool side, dab gently with diluted wool cleaner.

Why You Should Not Machine-Wash Shearling

Water changes the structure of the hide and causes:

• Stiffness

• Shrinkage

• Hardening

• Color distortion

Professional cleaning is the safest option for anything beyond light spot cleaning.

Cleaning Real Fur (Mink, Fox, Rabbit)

Real fur requires professional furriers for deep cleaning. But you can maintain it at home between visits.

Safe At-Home Maintenance

• Shake the coat gently to remove dust

• Use fingers (not a brush) to detangle

• Let the coat breathe after each wear

• Blot moisture with a towel—never rub

• Air-dry naturally for several hours

When to Seek a Professional

• Persistent odors

• Makeup or oil stains

• Matting

• Discoloration

• Seasonal maintenance

A professional cleaner uses special sawdust drums and conditioning oils that restore luster without disturbing the hide.

Comparison Table: Faux Fur vs Real Fur

Below is a simple breakdown of how different fur categories respond to cleaning methods, longevity, and maintenance requirements.

Minimal Mink Fur Cropped Collarless Jacket

How to Remove Odors from Fur Coats

Even with good care, fur can absorb odors from cooking, smoke, or fragrance.

Best Home-Safe Method

• Hang the coat in a cool, ventilated space

• Place a bowl of baking soda nearby (not touching the coat)

• Leave for 24–48 hours

What Not to Do

• Never spray perfume or fabric deodorizer

• Never place the coat in the sun

• Do not steam the coat

Fur reacts poorly to moisture and heat from steamers.

How to Store Fur Coats Properly

Storage matters as much as cleaning.

For Real Fur

• Use a wide-shoulder hanger

• Cover with a cotton or muslin garment bag

• Keep in a dark, cool, humidity-controlled environment

For Faux Fur

• Same rules apply, but storage conditions are slightly more forgiving

• Avoid compression to prevent matting

Seasonal Storage Tips

Long-term storage should avoid:

• Attics

• Basements

• Plastic bags

• Tight closets

Humidity and heat cause irreversible damage to real fur.

How to Handle Water Damage

Real Fur

If it gets mildly wet:

1. Shake out excess moisture.

2. Hang to air dry.

3. Fluff with fingers.

If it gets drenched:

• Seek a professional immediately.

• Do not attempt heat drying.

Faux Fur

If damp:

• Air-dry flat on a towel.

• Comb gently after fully dry.

If fully wet:

• Avoid wringing.

• Brush only after drying.

Kopenhagen Fur Mink Fur Cropped Collarless Jacket in Brown

Professional Fur Cleaning: What It Actually Involves

Most people imagine dry cleaning, but fur cleaning uses a unique method.

The Process:

1. The fur is placed into a drum with special sawdust.

2. Natural oils are restored to the fibers.

3. A furrier brushes and conditions the coat.

4. The lining is cleaned separately.

This process cannot be replicated at home.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the most frequent errors people make:

• Using a regular dry cleaner (not trained for fur)

• Storing fur near a heater

• Brushing real fur aggressively

• Hanging faux fur to dry

• Using bleach or stain removers

• Vacuuming fur

Avoiding these keeps your fur soft, full, and long-lasting.

Classic Mink Fur Cropped Collarless Jacket

Final Thoughts

Fur coats—whether faux or real—are wearable investments. With the right cleaning regimen, a faux fur coat will stay fluffy and soft, and a mink or fox coat can last decades. Understanding the fiber type is everything: shearling demands careful spot cleaning, faux fur offers some flexibility, and real fur always benefits from professional care.

If you adopt a gentle routine and store your coat properly, you’ll preserve its texture, warmth, and beauty for many winters to come.