No matter how well you take care of any piece of fur apparel, there’s a good chance it will begin to break down eventually. When this starts to happen, it may seem as if there is nothing you can do to help your fur recover. In fact, you may even be advised to throw your fur away or recycle it once it begins to fall apart.

But does this really have to be the case? Is it really better to throw out a damaged or aging real fur coat, or are there ways it can be restored? We’ve done a bit of research on this matter, and we have the answers for you here.

Conditioning May Be the Answer

One of the biggest hazards to an older real fur coat (or any other fur accessory) is the risk of drying out. Fur is quite similar in makeup to human hair. It needs to be regularly tended to and moisturized in order to keep a soft texture and healthy sheen. On top of this, fur is much more prone to drying out once the animal it was attached to is no longer alive—and even more so as the fur begins to age. While this may sound alarming, it’s worth noting that fur is typically easier to repair than it seems. A professional can adjust the inner seams and alter the fur as needed while leaving behind very little sign that anything was done to the coat.

To keep your real fur coat in the best possible shape, you must condition it typically around the same time you send it in for cleaning. This will ensure your coat stays supple and shiny—an important aspect of how to take care of real fur.

DIY or Professional Services?

Now that you know what to do in terms of how to take care of real fur, you may be wondering how to approach this process. Should you try to condition your fur on your own, or seek out help from a professional?

We understand why you may prefer to try and handle repairing your fur on your own, but we strongly advise you to consult with an expert instead—unless you are a licensed expert furrier yourself. While this may be harder on your budget, the simple truth is professional furriers possess both the skills and knowledge necessary to treat and repair your fur as safely as possible. Trying to perform such a complicated (and often chemically-dependent) task on your own can present serious hazards, and potentially cause even more serious damage to the garment.

If you’re in need of fur repair services for a damaged or aged real fur coat, know that you can always turn to Morris Kaye Furs in San Antonio and Dallas. Contact us to learn more about our cleaning and restyling services, and so much more.