How to Wash a Faux Fur Coat and Keep It Soft

Worried about washing your favorite faux fur coat? Let me put your mind at ease. You can absolutely clean it at home without sacrificing that impossibly glamorous, soft-as-a-cloud texture. It all comes down to choosing the right method, and this guide will walk you through the two safest options: hand washing and machine washing.

Keeping Your Faux Fur Coat Looking Brand New

A faux fur coat isn't just a piece of clothing; it's a statement. It’s that touch of bold luxury that makes an entire outfit feel special. But what happens when a little bit of life—a spilled drink, a dusty day—leaves its mark?

Many people automatically think "dry cleaner," but you can achieve that same plush, pristine feel right at home. The secret is to approach it not as a chore, but as an act of care for a piece you love. Think of it like a spa day for your coat, a moment that delivers a spark of joy and a surge of confidence.

Understanding what you're working with is the first step. Most faux furs are crafted from synthetic fibers like acrylic or polyester, which are incredibly sensitive to two things: high heat and rough handling. This is why a gentle touch is completely non-negotiable. When you adopt a more professional mindset towards garment care, you ensure its longevity. While you can find great information on professional cleaning and care for various materials, remember to apply those principles with the unique needs of faux fur in mind.

So, how do you choose between hand washing and machine washing? It really boils down to your coat’s condition and your own comfort level.

• Hand washing is the ultimate gentle approach. It's the safest bet, especially for delicate trims, treasured pieces, or if you're just feeling extra cautious.
• Machine washing is a fantastic, convenient option, but only if you stick to the rules—cold water and the delicate cycle are your best friends here.

Hand Wash vs Machine Wash A Quick Comparison

Deciding which route to take can feel like a big commitment. This quick comparison should help you choose the best fit for your faux fur coat based on how precious it is, how dirty it is, and how much time you have.

Method	Best For	Risk Level	Time Commitment
Hand Washing	Delicate, expensive, or lightly soiled coats.	Lowest	Higher (30-60 minutes active)
Machine Washing	Sturdier, more durable coats needing a deeper clean.	Low (if done correctly)	Lower (10-15 minutes active)

Ultimately, whether you're gently swishing your coat in a basin or trusting your machine's delicate cycle, the goal is the same: to preserve its beauty for years to come.

How you wash your faux fur coat truly determines its lifespan. By transforming this simple task into a sensory ritual—especially when you introduce a sophisticated, luxurious fragrance—you're doing more than just cleaning. You're preserving the beauty and feel of a beloved wardrobe staple, infusing it with a bold, mysterious, and hypnotic scent that doesn't just tell a story; it leaves a lasting impression.

Pre-Wash Steps For Perfect Faux Fur Care

The secret to keeping your faux fur looking incredible isn't in the wash itself—it's all in the prep work. Taking a few moments before it even touches the water is the most important part of the entire ritual. This is how you prevent damage and ensure that plush, luxurious finish comes back to life.

First things first, check the care label. Sometimes the designer has specific instructions you won't want to miss. If the tag is long gone, don't worry—this process is gentle enough for most faux furs.

Now, give your coat a quick once-over for any small marks or spills. Spot-treating a tiny stain is so much easier than committing to a full wash. For a deep dive on tackling specific spots, this guide on how to remove stains from clothes is a lifesaver.

Detangle and Protect

This is the final, and most critical, pre-wash step. While the fur is still completely dry, grab a wide-toothed comb or a very soft-bristled brush and gently work through any tangles. Always brush in the direction the fur naturally lays to avoid creating knots that will set and tighten in the wash.

Pro Tip: Don't just save the brush for wash day. A quick, gentle brush before you wear your coat can dramatically reduce matting and keep it looking brand new.

To shield your coat from the friction of the wash cycle, turn it completely inside out. For an extra layer of defense, I always recommend tucking it into one of our laundry mesh wash bags. It’s a simple move that minimizes the agitation and helps preserve that signature softness, ensuring your coat emerges from the wash looking as beautiful as it did going in.

The Gentle Art of Hand Washing Your Coat

When it comes to your faux fur coat, forget the washing machine. Hand washing is the gold standard—the only way to truly give it the delicate care it deserves. Think of it less as a chore and more as a luxurious ritual that preserves that plush, cloud-like texture while infusing it with an unforgettable fragrance.

This is how you turn a simple wash into a sensory experience. LAUNDRY NEVER SMELLED SO GOOD!

First, find a clean bathtub or a large basin and fill it with cool water. And I mean cool—hot water is the number one enemy of faux fur. It can literally cause the synthetic fibers to melt and clump together into a matted mess that you can never fix.

Next, add just a small amount of a premium, mild detergent. To truly elevate the experience, choose a detergent inspired by the spirit of iconic French houses like Dior and Chanel. Imagine your coat emerging not just clean, but wrapped in hypnotic notes where deep, earthy patchouli fuses with the burning radiance of amber, and fiery pimento berries ignite the composition with spice and warmth. It's a bold tribute that leaves a lasting impression.

The Washing Process

Once you've drawn this scented bath for your coat, submerge it completely. Just let it soak for 15-20 minutes. This gives the detergent time to work its magic without any rough handling.

Now, gently swish the coat through the water. Use your hands to softly squeeze the soapy solution through the fur, focusing on any spots that might need a little extra attention. The key is to resist the urge to scrub, twist, or wring it out. A gentle pressing motion is all you need to protect those delicate fibers.

Key Takeaway: The goal is gentle saturation, not aggressive cleaning. Friction is what causes matting, so a light, patient touch is absolutely non-negotiable if you want to keep that signature softness.

After it’s clean, drain the tub and refill it with fresh, cool water for the rinse. Press the water through the coat again and repeat this until all the soap is gone and the water runs clear. For more tips on mastering this technique, our guide on the best way to hand wash clothing has you covered.

Your coat will be left pristine, cared for, and imbued with a truly EXCEPTIONAL and unforgettable olfactory statement.

Can You Really Machine Wash Faux Fur? Yes.

Hand washing might be the purist's choice, but let's be realistic—sometimes life calls for the convenience of a machine. And you absolutely can get a stunning, soft, beautifully scented result. It’s all about protecting those delicate fibers from two things: friction and heat. Get that right, and you're golden.

First things first: turn your coat completely inside out. This isn't just a suggestion; it’s the most important step to shield the plush exterior from the washing machine’s agitation. For an extra layer of protection (which I always recommend), pop it inside a large mesh laundry bag. Think of it as a personal bodyguard for your coat, preventing any snags or unnecessary rubbing.

Dialing in the Perfect Settings

The settings on your machine are non-negotiable. Get this part wrong, and there's no going back.

• Cycle: Always choose the most delicate cycle you have. It might be labeled 'hand wash,' 'delicates,' or even 'wool.'
• Temperature: This is critical. Use cold water only. Anything above 30°C (86°F) can literally melt and mat the synthetic fibers, ruining the texture forever.
• Spin: Select the slowest spin speed possible. A fast spin will twist and tangle the fur into a matted mess. A gentle, low-RPM cycle is what you want.

The Art of the Scent Combination

To achieve powerful cleaning with zero interference, start with a carefully formulated odor-free laundry detergent. This creates the ultimate neutral base, a perfectly clean canvas. Why? Because it's created to perfectly complement a luxury scented fabric softener, allowing it to be the star of the show.

Expert Tip: An odor-free wash is the secret to a truly sophisticated scent. It allows the complex, hypnotic notes of a luxury softener—like the creamy depth of tonka bean enveloped in rich guaiac wood with a touch of smoky styrax—to fully bloom without any competing fragrances. The result is a singular, unforgettable olfactory statement.

This two-step ritual ensures your coat emerges not just impeccably clean, but wrapped in a refined fragrance that leaves a lasting impression. For more tips on jacket care, see our complete guide on how to wash a coat of any material.

The Crucial Final Steps: Drying and Fluffing

How you dry your faux fur coat is every bit as important as how you wash it. Let’s be clear: the single worst thing you can do is toss it in a machine dryer. That intense, direct heat is the enemy of delicate synthetic fibers, causing them to melt, shrink, and mat together into a texture that’s impossible to revive.

Start by gently squeezing out any obvious excess water. Never wring or twist the coat. This is far too aggressive and will stretch the fabric while causing the fur to clump. Instead, lay your coat flat on a thick, clean towel, roll it up like a yoga mat, and press down firmly to soak up as much moisture as you can.

Achieving the Perfect Air-Dry

With most of the water gone, it's time to let air work its magic. You have two solid options here: lay the coat flat on a mesh drying rack, or hang it on a sturdy, wide, padded hanger. Please, skip the wire hangers—they'll dig into the shoulders of a heavy, damp coat and completely ruin its shape.

Key Takeaway: Always dry your coat away from direct sunlight or heat sources like radiators. That kind of heat is just as damaging as a machine dryer and will compromise the soft, plush feel of the fibers you're trying so hard to protect.

Now for the hard part: waiting. Your coat needs to air-dry completely, a process that can take anywhere from 24 to 48 hours. Patience is everything. If you're in a bit of a rush, our guide on how to air-dry clothes faster has some great techniques that won't damage your coat.

Once your coat is 100% dry to the touch—not even a hint of dampness—it's time for the final touch. Grab a wide-toothed comb or a soft-bristled brush. Gently work through the fibers, always brushing in the direction the fur naturally lies. This is the essential step that detangles any lingering clumps and restores that beautiful, original loft, leaving your coat feeling exceptionally soft and looking perfectly fluffy.

Burning Questions About Faux Fur Care

Even the most seasoned fashion lover has questions when it comes to caring for a piece as decadent as a faux fur coat. Knowing the right answers means you can handle anything—from a minor spill to a full seasonal refresh—with total confidence. Let’s get into the most common questions we hear.

How Often Should I Really Wash My Faux Fur Coat?

Here’s the golden rule: less is always more. One of the best things about faux fur is that its synthetic fibers are naturally resistant to holding onto dirt and odors, unlike natural materials.

This means a full wash is rarely needed—think once per season, if that. For little marks or spills, always try spot cleaning first. It’s usually all you need.

This hands-off approach doesn’t just keep your coat looking plush. Because faux fur is washed so infrequently (and always in cold water), it contributes far less to microfiber pollution than other synthetics that are laundered weekly. It's a win for your coat and the planet. You can dive deeper into these kinds of industry insights with the latest market research on fur coats.

Can I Just Use My Regular Laundry Detergent?

Please don't. Standard detergents are often packed with harsh enzymes and chemicals designed for tough fabrics like cotton and denim. On delicate synthetics, they can strip the fibers of their softness, leaving your beautiful coat feeling coarse and brittle. A mild detergent made for delicates is a much better choice.

But for a truly luxurious result, we recommend a two-step approach: an odor-free laundry detergent paired with a luxury fabric softener. The powerful, fragrance-free detergent provides a deep, effective clean without competing fragrances. It creates the perfect clean slate, allowing the avant-garde notes of a premium softener to deliver a refined and distinguished sensory experience.

Help! My Faux Fur Got Matted After Washing. How Do I Fix It?

First, don’t panic. This is almost always reversible. Matting usually happens from a bit too much friction in the wash or if any heat sneaked into the drying process. The trick is to be gentle and wait until the coat is bone dry.

The Secret to Fluffy Restoration: Lay your dry coat on a flat surface. Take a wide-toothed comb or, even better, a soft-bristled pet brush, and gently work through the tangled spots. Always brush in the direction the fur naturally lies. Use light, patient strokes to coax the matted sections apart and bring back that iconic, fluffy texture.

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With these answers in your back pocket, you’re ready to treat your faux fur with the care it deserves. It’s not just about cleaning; it’s about transforming a chore into a ritual.

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