DELICATE FURS

Opunake Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3136, 9 August 1927, Page 4

DELICATE FURS

METHODS OF CLEANING

The lighter furs suffer very much during the grime of winter, and round about August and July ninny women wish they could give their furs a clean up withont going to the expense of sending them to a dry cleaner. i'Oitunately, as far as furs are concerned, the trouble can be easily rectined; and it should be, not only for the immediate appearance of the stole, coat-trim-ming or what not, but for the preser- ' vation of the fur. Nothing paves the way for the mischievous moth, whose activities must be most carefully guarded against in September, more effectively than grubbiness. Cleaning furs is messy work, and is best done, if possible, out of doors on a ealm sunny day, the worker being protected by an overall from the flying dust, etc. First spread the fur on a table covcrcd with a clean sheet, and beat it thoroughly with a little cane. This coupled with exposure to the sun, is the great safeguard against the depredations of moths. So far all furs are treated alike, but the next step varies with the pelt. White furs, such as ermine or the übiquitous bunny, need the most frequent cleaning, because of their delicacy. For them calcined magnesia should be used. Sprinkle this over the fur and rub it gently, fallowing always the "lie" of the hair, and using a. soft old handkerchief for the purpose. A second method is to put the fur into a bag such as a pillow case, with plenty of powder, afterwards shaking and rubbing it about vigorously. This, however, is obviously impossible with the fur trimmings now so usual, and, in any case does not permit of the careful meticulous treatment administered by rubbing. For white fox or other long-haired furs dry powdered starch should take the place of the magnesia, and if the fur has, boen allowed to get very dirty—which should not be the case —the first application may be the wrong way of the fur. When perfect cleanliness is restored, shake well and remove the powder, and rub with gentle, firm strokes, using a pad of soft linen for the purpose. Ermine especially needs extreme care, and should be kept within layers of blue tissue paper. Liko all furs, it should never be dried quickly if allowed to get wet, but be well <>haken and hung up in a cool place Until dry, without being touched. For grey furs such as the regal fhinchilla or the delicate grey squirrel and those of brownish-grey tone, 'fig dust is the best thing to \ise. It is procurable from corn chandlers, and is used like the magnesia or starch. As soon as it gets dirty a fresh application must be made. It sticks in the fur more than the other powders, and it is best to beat' gently on the wrong Bide before shaking, to free the fur from it. Dark furs, of course, get just as dirty as light ones, only they do not advertise their condition so clearly. It is, however, extremely bad for them to be left long soiled. To clean them the best thing-if hot bran, used in the way already described. It must bo hot and therefore fresh supplies, heated, must be ready to hand. A pad of flannel, also heated is best for rubbing the bran into the fur, and Several applications will be needed, especially for long-haired skins, such as skunk. This, like bear or fox, fchould be brushed with a soft white bristled brush after the preliminary shaking, by which means the fur will be polished, and the adhering particles of bran removed. Light furs, which get discoloured and greasy by contact with the neck, can bo cleaned with benzine in the ordinary way, the only thing to note 'that the piece of flannel applying' the Rpirit must be gently rubbed always the right way of the fur. '* - ■