For those that love the look of fur but not the suffering behind it, faux fur is the perfect solution.
However, it’s important for the planet to make your fur last, not only so that you can enjoy it longer, but also because most faux furs are made from fabrics derived from fossil fuels.
In this guide, we answer most of your questions on how to keep your faux fur fluffy and how to make it look good as new.
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How to look after faux fur
The best way to care for your fur faux is to avoid exposing it to damaging elements. In general, these are heat, damp and friction.
How to avoid heat damage on your faux fur
The number one source of heat is luckily one you have ultimate control of. It’s your body temperature.
Tumble driers, hairdryers, and cigarettes are the most common ways in which your faux fur will encounter heat.
Always air dry your faux fur coat if it gets wet, and never use a tumble dryer or hairdryer to speed up the process. Because faux fur is primarily made of very fine polyester or acrylic fibers, they will shrivel when exposed to high temperatures, making your fur look singed.
Once damaged, there is nothing you can do to fix this problem, so simply don’t take the risk.
When it comes to cigarettes, simply do not smoke when wearing your faux fur, and avoid standing near smokers. One tumbling lump of ash is all it takes to ruin your day.
Can faux fur get wet?
Unfortunately for those living in a temperamental climate, the answer to the question ‘is faux fur waterproof?’ is a resounding no.
As synthetic fibers do not absorb the water in the way natural ones do, the water will soak through the fur and the material below.
Damp can be the quickest way to ruin the fluffy, brand-new look of your faux fur. We love dogs at Vegomm, but nobody wants to look like a Golden Retriever after a swim in the river.
Ideally, simply keep your faux fur cushion inside, and remember to bring an umbrella to protect your fancy faux fur bolero from the worst of the wet.
Avoiding friction damage
Once again, friction damage is unlikely to happen without your input.
Scrubbing your faux fur hoodie while washing or throwing it into a washing machine or tumble dryer are the most likely ways that this could occur.
Friction can cause the fibers on your coat to matt or even break, so always treat your faux fur gently and wash accordingly (more info in the next section).
How to wash your faux fur
Many people are unsure how to clean their faux fur. Like all fabrics, grime and accidental spills take their toll. The good news is you can clean faux fur, but it is crucial to be extra gentle so as to avoid damaging the fibers.
Start with reading the care label. Most of the time, the best option to protect your faux furs is to take them to a professional dry cleaner, who will have all the nifty tricks required to get it looking good as new.
If a dry cleaner isn’t an option, however, you can hand wash your faux fur using lukewarm water and a gentle detergent. It’s essential never to apply heat or scrub your fabrics, and certainly, avoid the tumble drier at all costs.
If you want to know more about cleaning your faux fur items, visit our page on how to wash your faux fur.
How to make faux fur look new and soft
When it comes to faux fur, the main things that make it look old and unappealing are it losing its fluffy appearance, getting dirty, and becoming damaged.
The most important thing is to look after your fur, but if it has suffered a little over time, then here’s how you can get it looking great again.
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How do I make my faux fur fluffy again
Your faux fur naturally loses its fluff over time as the individual fibers begin to clump and stick together.
This is mainly because of dirt particles or moisture.
Therefore, one of the first things you can do is shake your faux fur to try and loosen any dirt from the fur and cause it to drop out. This is something you can afford to do fairly regularly as part of the maintenance of your item.
Another important tip is to avoid any damp reaching your fur whenever possible. Do this by checking the weather forecast before heading out and more importantly, store your faux fur in a dark, dry place.
Having done all you can to protect your fur, the next step is to take a brush to it.
Can you brush faux fur?
Brushing is a great way to make your faux fur get back its bounce and volume.
However, a word of caution when it comes to brushing: Like with our own hair, every time you take a brush to your faux fur, you will lose some of the fibers. The difference is that, unlike your hair, faux fur doesn’t grow back.
This means that excessive brushing will thin your fur and even result in bald spots. Therefore only brush when absolutely necessary, and try to be as gentle as possible.
Ideally, use a stiff, widely spaced brush, like a dog or cat fur brush. Take your time to avoid pulling out too many fibers, and brush it first in one direction, then the other.
Stop once you feel your faux fur has regained the look you covert.
How to make faux fur soft again
The most important thing to keep your faux fur softer for longer is to take care of it.
The loss of softness could indicate your coat is dirty. If the dirt is in patches, you can spot treat them with a small amount of water and detergent.
A full wash can be carried out if the whole item requires a good clean.
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Once washed, brushing is an effective way to reinvigorate your item.
To bring back softness, you can also use a hair conditioner, adding a teaspoon to two cups of water. Simply spritz the fur with a small amount and then brush through.
Do not use a clothing conditioner, as this can damage the fabric.
How to stop faux fur from shedding
It’s not usual for faux fur to shed a little from time to time. To avoid this, you can buy more expensive faux furs, which are often less likely to shed.
However, whatever price your faux fur, once it starts to shed, you can use hairspray to hold it in place.
Simply spray a little across the fur whenever the problem occurs. Word of advice, too much spay may make your fur stiff and cause it to lose its fluffiness.
How do you keep faux fur from matting?
Matting in faux fur usually occurs if you’ve got your fur wet or it has become dirty (the typical guest spilling his red wine on your faux fur rug). Extreme forms of matting can arise if you’ve melted your fur by introducing heat.
Luckily most matting can be fixed by simply washing and brushing your fur. If, however, you’ve melted the fur, then there’s no hope of reviving it. The melted bits will need to go.
How to shave faux fur
Shaving faux fur is particularly useful for burned faux fur, but before you take your scissors and make it worse, here are a few tips.
If you’re lucky, all you’ll have melted is the tips of the fur. In this case, you can use a pair of scissors or an electric razor to get rid of the burnt bits.
- Brush out your faux fur first and check how much you need to get rid of. With small amounts, you can snip them off with your scissors. However, this will often look very obvious once done.
- You can then use an electric razor to make the cut areas look more natural or go over larger areas if a lot of furs are burned.
- Start by using the largest safety guard you have, and then work your way down to a length you are happy with.
Remember that you can’t stick the fur back once it’s gone, so it’s always better to start with too large a guard and work your way down.
Summary
Faux fur may be cheaper and more ethical than real fur, but it still has its quirks and preferences.
Our key take-home message for looking after your faux fur is to avoid dampness, heat, friction, and dirt.
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If an accident does occur, treat your faux fur gently to keep it looking great for as long as possible.
