Last winter, Rhea bought her first faux fur jacket. Soft. Fluffy. Luxurious. It instantly became her favourite piece.
After wearing it a few times, she wondered - ‘Can I wash faux fur at home?’ ‘Will it lose its softness?’ ‘What if I ruin it?’
So, she did what most of us would do - stopped wearing it as often. Because when we don’t know how to wash our favourite clothes, we keep them aside for ‘later’.
Understanding Faux Fur
Faux fur is designed to look and feel like real fur - but it isn’t. It is made from synthetic fibers like acrylic or polyester.
This makes it easier to maintain, but it is also slightly sensitive to heat, rough washing, and excessive movement.
This is why your regular laundry routine may not always work here. But once you understand the faux fur cleaning process, it becomes surprisingly simple.
How to Wash Faux Fur? (The Easy Way)
Your favourite faux fur needs a practical and stress-free way to clean. And it starts with the most basic step.
Step 1: Check the Wash Care Label
First things first. Look at the care label inside the garment or accessory. It’s important! Some faux fur items are washable, and some are not.
If the label reads “dry clean only” or has trims like leather or heavy detailing, you'd better avoid washing it yourself at home.
But if the label says “washable”, you’re good to go to the next step.
Step 2: Pretreat but…. Gently
Before you actually start to wash, check if there are any stains. You can closely look around the areas like collars, cuffs and underarms. If required, you can gently work on the affected area with mild stain remover.
You can use your fingers. But do not scrub. It might end up damaging the fibers. Remember, faux fur doesn’t like friction.
Step 3: Choose Hand Wash (when in doubt)
If you’re wondering how do you wash faux fur safely - this is your answer.
Hand washing is always the safest method.
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Use cold water.
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Add a teeny tiny bit of mild detergent.
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Submerge and gently move the water.
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Soak for 30 minutes.
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Then rinse it thoroughly.
Ensure being gentle. Avoid twisting and wringing faux fur.
Step 4: Machine wash (if required)
But wait! Can you laundry faux fur in a machine? Yes, you can. But…. carefully. Just remember a few things.
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Select a delicate wash cycle.
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Use cold water only.
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Choose the lowest spin speed.
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Place the item inside a mesh laundry bag for protection.
This reduces friction and helps maintain the texture.
Drying - where most people go wrong
This is the most important part.
After washing:
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Press out the excess water (do not wring).
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Lay it flat on a table or hang it.
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Let it air dry completely.
Never put faux fur in a dryer. The heat can permanently damage its fibers and might cause matting.
Once the faux fur is dry, it may look somewhat flat. To restore the fluff, you can gently brush its fibers with a wide comb or fingers.
When should you wash, and when you shouldn’t
Not every wear needs a wash. And not every wash needs to be a full process.
You can follow a simple rule:
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When there is visible dirt or odor - Wash
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When it just feels slightly used - Refresh
Over-washing faux fur can affect its texture, color and feel; eventually reducing its lifespan. So, knowing when to wash and when to simply refresh it will let you use your favorite faux fur for a long time.
Mozi Wash - Gentle care that matches the fabric
When it comes to faux fur, the goal is not just cleaning. It is preserving the softness and making it smell just like how it feels…. elegant! That’s where your detergent quietly plays a role.
Mozi Wash is designed for fabrics that need a softer touch. It works well with delicate textures like faux fur, without overdoing the cleaning process, and leaving a lasting fragrance. Here’s how:
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A balanced pH of 4 to 6 helps in maintaining the fiber structure of faux fur without damaging it over time.
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The plant-based cleansers gently lift away dirt, without going in too deep, thereby maintaining the softness.
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Unlike optical brighteners that leave a layer of coating on fabric to make it appear brighter, Mozi Wash cleans without leaving any residue. So the colors look natural.
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Once done, your faux fur items smell fresh for a while, without being overwhelming.
Build your faux fur care routine
Caring for faux fur doesn’t have to feel complicated. It’s about small, mindful steps:
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Check the label before washing.
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Choose gentle methods.
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Avoid heat at all costs.
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Use the right detergent.
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Let it dry slowly.
Over time, this becomes less of a task… and more of a rhythm. And unlike Rhea, you can wear your faux fur items as and when you like.
FAQs
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What is faux fur?
Faux fur, also known as fake fur, is an artificial fur made from fabrics such as polyester, acrylic or nylon. It is engineered to not only look like fur, but also give warmth alike.
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Can you wash faux fur at home?
The care label is your guide here. If the label says “washable”, you can safely wash at home. However, if the label says “dry clean only”, then you shouldn't attempt to clean it yourself.
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How to wash faux fur when it is lightly used?
A lightly used faux fur item can be refreshed using a fabric spray. You can hang it out in the open area to dry. Later, to restore its texture, you can lightly brush the fibers.
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How to store faux fur items?
You can store your faux fur in a breathable garment bag or a box. Just make sure to keep it in a dry place, away from direct sunlight. Avoid stuffing it too tightly as the fur can get flattened.
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How often can I wash faux fur?
Wash faux fur only when it’s needed. Over-washing it can reduce its lifespan. However, you can refresh it between wears or as needed.
