Leather and fur: how to look after them between cleans

A good leather jacket or a fur coat can last for decades, but only if it is looked after. Both are natural skins, and they react to heat, damp and cleaning products very differently from cloth. Here is how to care for them between professional cleans, and the signs that it is time to bring them to us.

Everyday care for leather

• Hang it properly. Use a broad, shaped hanger so the shoulders keep their shape. Wire hangers leave dents that are hard to remove.
• Let it breathe. Do not store leather in a plastic cover. A cotton garment bag protects it from dust while letting air through.
• Let it dry naturally. If you are caught in the rain, blot off the water with a towel and hang the jacket at room temperature. Never put it on a radiator or use a hairdryer, because heat makes leather stiff and can crack it.
• Deal with spills gently. Blot, do not rub. Avoid soap, wipes and household cleaners, which can strip the finish and leave marks.

Everyday care for fur

• Give it space. Crushing fur in a crowded wardrobe flattens it. Hang it with room around it.
• Shake it out. If a fur gets wet, shake it gently, hang it in a well-ventilated room away from heat and let it dry by itself. Do not brush it while it is wet.
• Keep it cool. Heat dries out the skin underneath the fur, which can make it brittle and cause tears.
• Keep perfume and hairspray away. The alcohol and oils in them can dry the skin and mark the fur.

Signs it needs a professional clean

Everyday care keeps leather and fur in good order, but it does not replace cleaning. It is time to bring a garment in when you notice:

• dark marks around the collar and cuffs, where oils from skin and hair build up;
• stains from food, drink or make-up that do not lift with gentle blotting;
• a dull, dry look, or stiffness in leather;
• a musty smell after storage;
• matted or flattened fur.

Why leather and fur need a specialist

Ordinary dry cleaning is designed for woven and knitted fabrics. Leather and fur need different treatment, because the cleaning has to remove dirt without stripping the natural oils that keep the skin supple. That is why leather and fur cleaning is a service of its own.

When you bring a piece in, please tell us what you know about it: its age, whether it has been cleaned before, and any marks you are worried about. Some leathers are dyed in ways that can shift or fade, and older furs can have weak skins. We will look at the garment with you and explain what can be expected before any work begins.

Before you put it away for summer

If you only wear a leather coat or a fur in the colder months, have it cleaned before you put it away rather than when you take it out again. Marks left over the summer have months to set, and moths are drawn to garments that have been worn and not cleaned. Store it in a breathable bag, in a cool, dry wardrobe.

You can bring leather and fur to our shops in Barnes and East Molesey.