• Leather is a skin, and it can stretch. Avoid wearing your leather jacket in rainy weather. Wet leather requires extra care, so if rain is forecast, remember to take an umbrella. If it does get wet, make sure that you hang it out to dry immediately before putting it away.

• Hang your jacket correctly. Never leave your jacket folded for a long period of time, as this can encourage creases and cracks in the leather. Instead, hang it on a wide, preferably padded hanger in a well ventilated closet — never in the sunlight, as that can quickly discolor the jacket. This is particularly important for suede. Whatever you do, don’t store your jacket on a wire hanger. You’re asking for weird “bumps” in the shoulders. After you hang it, don’t shove it into your closet among dozens of other coats. Give it some space!

• Keep your jacket away from heat. Heat will dry out and cause leather to become brittle and crack. Never lay your jacket on or near a radiator or heating vent, and never iron or steam it yourself.

• Use a leather conditioner. Leather will always naturally lose some of it moisture, but using a reputable leather conditioner on finished leather can prolong its life.

• Don’t clean at home. Unless you have the experience or aren’t worried about causing irreparable harm to your leather jacket, you should not try to clean it at home. Some cleaning labels may say that you can wash your leather jacket in a washing machine, but any small misstep can cause serious damage. If your leather jacket has gotten a little dirty, lost some of its color, or developed cracks, a professional leather cleaning service can restore its vibrancy and repair the damage so you can keep wearing your leather jacket for years to come.

• Stay anonymous. Don’t put a sticky name tag on suede or leather. When you peel it off, chances are you’ll take some fabric with it, or worse, leave an adhesive mark.

• Scratches can detract from a flawlessly crafted piece. Take care to avoid contact with heavily embellished clothes, sharp surfaces, or chunky jewelry when you are out and about.

Shearling Jacket & Coat Care

• Never put the coat into a washing machine or a dryer! With few exceptions, most shearling products need to be either dry cleaned or “air-dryed”. A trip through the washing machine and a dryer is a splendid way to kill a high-quality shearling coat product!
• Frequent small cleanings are good. What this means is that you do not want to let dirt get heavily soiled into the jacket – as it can be very difficult to remove, if at all. Instead, clean the jacket soon afterit gets dirty.
•  Keep the jacket away from open flames or high heat sources! This not only will damage the shearling but can also damage the leather too.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to strong sunlight – such as hanging the coat or jacket in a sunny windows for weeks at a time – as this can bleach out the jacket.
• Long term storage. Do NOT use a plastic garment bag, as it does not breathe and allows moisture to get trapped. Instead, use a cloth garment bag that allows for air movement.
• Give the jacket some space. Hang the jacket or coat loosely – not stuffed tightly among other clothes. You want it to hang naturally, not in some contorted way.
• Speaking of hanging, always hang a shearling jacket on a hangar – a stout one. Never drape it over a doorknob or other round point like that (such as on a coat rack) unless the jacket specifically has a place that it can be hung from (most do).
• When wet, just let the jacket air-dry.
• Clean the jacket in the spring, and clean it good. Winter solvents and salt will accumulate on the jacket and, if not removed, slowly destroy the jacket. Clean in spring and then forget about it til next season.
• Just say no to silicone. Silicone and shearling/leather jacket products don’t mix.
• Don’t put adhesive stickers on the jackets, as the stickers – when removed – may pull out some of the fabric.

Genuine Fur Garments Care Guide

• Choose the Right Hanger. Your fur coat should always be hung on a broad, sturdy, padded hanger to keep the shoulders from losing their shape. The neck of the hanger should be long enough to keep the collar of the coat away from the hanging rod.

• Protect the Fur From Dust. Unless you’re wearing your fur garment every day, use a 100 percent cotton bag to keep dust out of the fur. Don’t hang your fur in a plastic bag that doesn’t breathe because it needs air circulation to keep the hide from drying out and cracking.

• Prevent Matting. Don’t leave jewelry, like a brooch, pinned to your coat because it can mat the fur. When wearing your coat, don’t use a shoulder bag consistently; it can wear away the fur and leave a bald spot.
• Avoid Stains. Wearing a scarf around your neck under your coat will prevent body oil and makeup from soiling your coat collar. Avoid using hairspray or applying perfume when wearing your coat: The formulas of most brands contain alcohol, which can dry the hides. Any oils in the products may penetrate the fur and eventually become rancid. The odor is nearly impossible to remove.

Warning! Removing stains on a natural fur coat should be handled by a professional dry cleaner. If you have a fresh stain on your fur coat, quickly dab it with a clean cloth. Use another clean, slightly damp cloth to gently blot the stain, and then allow to air-dry. Don’t use stain remover or detergents on fur.

• Eliminate Excess Moisture. If you get caught in light rain or snow, simply shake out the fur to remove as much water as possible. Hang it to dry in a well-ventilated room. Do not use a blow-dryer, clothes dryer, or any direct heat on the fur. After it’s dry, shake again to fluff the fur. Don’t comb or brush; simply smooth the fur with your hand. If your coat gets completely soaked with water, it should be taken to a professional fur cleaner immediately so the hides can be treated correctly to prevent shrinkage. If you have a natural fur hat, take special care if it becomes wet. Proper reshaping is necessary to help it hold its shape.

• Storing Garments with Genuine Fur. Furs that are properly stored during hot weather can last up to 50 years or more. Natural fur hates heat. It’s not the actual hair that’s affected; rather, it’s the hide or leather that can dry out, become stiff, and crack. The optimum storage temperature for natural fur is 45 degrees with 50 percent humidity. In fur storage vaults, the room is dark, which prevents bleaching and fading of the color.Moths and other insects can’t survive at the low temperatures inside.
• Home Storage. Don’t store your coat in a cedar closet or chest. The oils can harm the fur. Keep the fur in the coolest closet possible and always in the dark. Check frequently for insect activity, especially moths. But never use mothballs with natural fur because the chemicals in the balls may react with the fur’s natural oils to create toxic gas.

Tips to Clean and Care for a Natural Fur Coat