Getting vomit out of fake fur coat collar
December 11, 2018 10:04 AM Subscribe
Is it possible to get vomit out of fake fur? If so, how do I get vomit out of fake fur? It's a fake fur coat collar, attached to a winter coat. I love this coat. Can it be saved?
A friend took me out Friday for a much needed break. Unfortunately, much needed meant I let down too much, and between drinking and trying a tobacco hookah for the first time, I paid the porcelain price. But before I did, my coat became a casualty.
I called a dry cleaner already. They said even though it's fake fur, they would send to a leather restoration company, but it's iffy whether or not they would really be able to get it clean, especially the smell.
I love this coat. I couldn't afford a new one if they still made it, and its a few years old, so its not really replaceable.
The fur collar got the brunt of it, though some may have gotten on the rest of the coat. It's been sitting on the floor in a "I can't deal with this right now" pile since Friday, so about 4 days.
According to the label, the coat is:
Trim - 57% acrylic, 43% Modacrylic.
Shell - 70% polyester, 15% acrylic, 5% wool and 6% viscose
Backing - 100% polyester
The fur hairs are between 2 and 2.5 inches long. The collar is not detachable.
Please halp. I love this coat. Said a second time for emphasis. I don't know if I should try cleaning and if so where to start, if I should try this dry cleaner, or try calling around a few more. (I just called the closest one, which I've taken coats to before, but for nothing like this).
A friend took me out Friday for a much needed break. Unfortunately, much needed meant I let down too much, and between drinking and trying a tobacco hookah for the first time, I paid the porcelain price. But before I did, my coat became a casualty.
I called a dry cleaner already. They said even though it's fake fur, they would send to a leather restoration company, but it's iffy whether or not they would really be able to get it clean, especially the smell.
I love this coat. I couldn't afford a new one if they still made it, and its a few years old, so its not really replaceable.
The fur collar got the brunt of it, though some may have gotten on the rest of the coat. It's been sitting on the floor in a "I can't deal with this right now" pile since Friday, so about 4 days.
According to the label, the coat is:
Trim - 57% acrylic, 43% Modacrylic.
Shell - 70% polyester, 15% acrylic, 5% wool and 6% viscose
Backing - 100% polyester
The fur hairs are between 2 and 2.5 inches long. The collar is not detachable.
Please halp. I love this coat. Said a second time for emphasis. I don't know if I should try cleaning and if so where to start, if I should try this dry cleaner, or try calling around a few more. (I just called the closest one, which I've taken coats to before, but for nothing like this).
If it were me, I'd prop the coat somewhere where the collar could dry. Then once it's dry, try to brush as much out as you can, maybe with a soft bristled brush or toothbrush going with the nap of the fur. Once you have as much residue off as possible, then I'd mix up a bowl of warm water and Dawn dish soap and use that to dampen a dishcloth, then go in on the collar and press/saturate the affected area. You're trying to lift the smell/stain--see how it's going, you can always agitate with the cloth and scrub lightly. Once it's dry again it'll look weird, but you can probably brush it out again. It might depend on whether it's a shiny, plush fake fur or one of those muppet-y shaggy fake furs.
I thought I remembered Jolie Kerr doing a column about this, and I was right (and probably is how I came up with the above)--more here on the science and how to of cleaning puke out of clothes!
posted by stellaluna at 10:17 AM on December 11, 2018 [8 favorites]
I thought I remembered Jolie Kerr doing a column about this, and I was right (and probably is how I came up with the above)--more here on the science and how to of cleaning puke out of clothes!
posted by stellaluna at 10:17 AM on December 11, 2018 [8 favorites]
I’m not sure if it would help (and obviously test a small area first!) but I wonder if the enzyme cleaners that you use for pet accidents like Nature’s Miracle (most popular) or Anti Icky Poo (works better) would help with the smell once most of the actual vomit is cleaned up. The enzymes break down the bodily fluids instead of trying to cover them.
posted by Weeping_angel at 10:38 AM on December 11, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Weeping_angel at 10:38 AM on December 11, 2018 [1 favorite]
I've gotten the stain/smell of my toddler's puke off a ski jacket with a fake fur collar. This worked on fresh vomit. For dried up stuff I'd probably have soaked it in hot water/baking soda longer, and used a stronger dishsoap:water solution in the steps below.
I put about 1 heaped tablespoon of baking soda in about a gallon of very hot water, and immersed the fur in for about 20 minutes. Using my hands, I gently rubbed the affected area with my (gloved) fingers. Once most of the chunky - ugh - stuff was gone, I used a solution of 1:3 dishsoap:water on the collar, again using my hands to get the soap in. I then sprayed it with a diluted enzyme cleaner (Nature's Miracle is what I had on hand since we have a cat) and let it sit for a few minutes. Rinsed that out, and gently dried it with a hairdryer on a low setting. Jacket looks good as new, no smell or stain.
The key thing to remember here is that acrylic/ polyester fibers in fake fur are naturally strong, so they are relatively unlikely to break or be affected by dilute chemical cleaners. It's the physical agitation of the washing that you need to watch out for, as that can cause the fibers to detach from the fabric.
posted by Everydayville at 10:39 AM on December 11, 2018
I put about 1 heaped tablespoon of baking soda in about a gallon of very hot water, and immersed the fur in for about 20 minutes. Using my hands, I gently rubbed the affected area with my (gloved) fingers. Once most of the chunky - ugh - stuff was gone, I used a solution of 1:3 dishsoap:water on the collar, again using my hands to get the soap in. I then sprayed it with a diluted enzyme cleaner (Nature's Miracle is what I had on hand since we have a cat) and let it sit for a few minutes. Rinsed that out, and gently dried it with a hairdryer on a low setting. Jacket looks good as new, no smell or stain.
The key thing to remember here is that acrylic/ polyester fibers in fake fur are naturally strong, so they are relatively unlikely to break or be affected by dilute chemical cleaners. It's the physical agitation of the washing that you need to watch out for, as that can cause the fibers to detach from the fabric.
posted by Everydayville at 10:39 AM on December 11, 2018
Seconding Nature's Miracle. It's safe to use on synthetics (like your fake fur) but not natural materials - so don't use it on the wool part of the coat.
posted by LobsterMitten at 10:40 AM on December 11, 2018
posted by LobsterMitten at 10:40 AM on December 11, 2018
Honestly, I’d just throw this in the washer - on a cool, gentle setting- and then hang dry. I’ve washed fake fur many times before, and since the coat is mostly synthetic, it should be washable even if it says otherwise. What you want to avoid is heat, since it could very likely melt the fur.
Probably rinse the puked-on area under cool or warm water first to get as much vomit (and any chunks) off as possible, and maybe pre-treat with detergent or OxiClean.
posted by catatethebird at 10:41 AM on December 11, 2018 [5 favorites]
Probably rinse the puked-on area under cool or warm water first to get as much vomit (and any chunks) off as possible, and maybe pre-treat with detergent or OxiClean.
posted by catatethebird at 10:41 AM on December 11, 2018 [5 favorites]
I'll second putting it in the washer on gentle. Blow dry the fur on cool with a hair dryer to make it fluffy if needed.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 10:49 AM on December 11, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 10:49 AM on December 11, 2018 [1 favorite]
Your wool and viscose are the only part of the coat that are dubious for washing, and they are a small percentage. Furthermore this is a winter coat and designed to be worn in sleet and melting snow. I would therefore say that it would be worth the risk of washing the coat, by hand, yourself.
First remove all the puke you can by brushing, or wiping. I would remove sooner rather than wait until it was bone dry if it is still at all moist, but this is arguable.
There is some danger than the puke will have bleached the coat where it landed, but the danger is small as the gastric acid content of the puke is likely not considerable.
Get a soft bristled brush - an old tooth brush would work, but a soft scrubbing brush is another idea, and after dry wiping and damp wiping if there is any residue, damp brush.
If that doesn't work it is time for spot soaking the damaged bits. A basin (large pot, large bowl) on a counter is the first go to for spot soaking. Use comfortably warm, or tepid water not hot.
Your fur collar is completely made out of washable plastic so a small amount of dish detergent or body wash can be used and rinsed out.
If that doesn't work the nuclear option is the bathtub. Again, use only comfortably warm, or tepid water, not hot. The coat may be tread on to agitate it using bare feet and rolled up trousers to avoid the splashing. It may also be soaked in cold water. Laundry stain remover can be used if you had a gazillion maraschino cherries in those drinks but should not be used if the puke appears to be fading the pile or the shell.
The hard part of washing a coat in the bathtub is draining it. You must not wring it or pull it in anyway to avoid leaving the coat out of shape afterwards. Drain the bathtub and tread it until as much water as possible has been squeezed out, but do not crush the coat in the process. Then transfer it to a flat surface to drain. Anything, from a clean screen door laid flat on a couple of trestles, to three narrow planks and a broom handle balanced on two chairs can be use. This can be over the bathtub, or outside. A fan can be used to speed heat, and a space heater in a small room to make it really dry can be used. Or, possibly the air dry setting of your dryer, run repeatedly all day. The air dry setting of your dryer is the easiest method, and should be used if you are reasonably certain the coat is retaining its shape well.
For best results once the coat is no longer draining any liquid whatsoever, it should be put on a manniquin to dry, buttoned or zipped and with a fan directed up the coat's skirts. This is unlikely to be available. It could also be worn my someone taking a long walk on a warm and windy day. This step of having the coat dry in the shape you want it to be in the end may not be at all necessary. To avoid this much trouble, during the drying flat stage, re-arrange and arrange the coat to have the correct lines you want once it is dry. It might also be hung on enough coat hangers to create a reasonably shoulder shaped structure.
The drying stage should be done as quickly as practical. Do not submerge the coat if you aren't going to be able to dry it within two days or so, because getting mildew in the coat would be disastrous. You also want to dry it somewhere that the air is dry, like inside a centrally heated house where you keep having to use lotion to prevent your skin from cracking because the air has gotten so dry.
Once the coat is dry the fur and even the shell may need brushing to restore their appearance. Use a smoothing brush, not a detangling brush, unless the pile is very long and irregular, in which case start with an afro pick and move on to the detangling brush after wards. If there is lint in the pile it should be separated out painstakingly as much as possible and can be cut out with a pair of very fine scissors. Brush gently. It is possible that the pile could be pulled out if you have to tug hard.
If there is any residual smell, air it very well and store it with something that masks the smell until it has all gone. Puke smells do not ordinarily linger. But if you have thoroughly washed it there should be no puke smell left.
If you search washing stuffed animals on line you will get more ideas and instructions. Children puke on stuffed animals that must be salvaged at all costs all the time. My sister once dropped her beloved bunny into my puke basin accidentally. The problem is a similar one except that usually a beloved stuffed animal is kept even if the bath renders it looking more like a grey lumpy bag than a a plush Easter rabbit.
This coat sounds extremely salvageable to me. The barrier to getting it cleans seems to be mainly how much trouble you are willing to take and how close you want to get to your own puke.
posted by Jane the Brown at 10:58 AM on December 11, 2018
First remove all the puke you can by brushing, or wiping. I would remove sooner rather than wait until it was bone dry if it is still at all moist, but this is arguable.
There is some danger than the puke will have bleached the coat where it landed, but the danger is small as the gastric acid content of the puke is likely not considerable.
Get a soft bristled brush - an old tooth brush would work, but a soft scrubbing brush is another idea, and after dry wiping and damp wiping if there is any residue, damp brush.
If that doesn't work it is time for spot soaking the damaged bits. A basin (large pot, large bowl) on a counter is the first go to for spot soaking. Use comfortably warm, or tepid water not hot.
Your fur collar is completely made out of washable plastic so a small amount of dish detergent or body wash can be used and rinsed out.
If that doesn't work the nuclear option is the bathtub. Again, use only comfortably warm, or tepid water, not hot. The coat may be tread on to agitate it using bare feet and rolled up trousers to avoid the splashing. It may also be soaked in cold water. Laundry stain remover can be used if you had a gazillion maraschino cherries in those drinks but should not be used if the puke appears to be fading the pile or the shell.
The hard part of washing a coat in the bathtub is draining it. You must not wring it or pull it in anyway to avoid leaving the coat out of shape afterwards. Drain the bathtub and tread it until as much water as possible has been squeezed out, but do not crush the coat in the process. Then transfer it to a flat surface to drain. Anything, from a clean screen door laid flat on a couple of trestles, to three narrow planks and a broom handle balanced on two chairs can be use. This can be over the bathtub, or outside. A fan can be used to speed heat, and a space heater in a small room to make it really dry can be used. Or, possibly the air dry setting of your dryer, run repeatedly all day. The air dry setting of your dryer is the easiest method, and should be used if you are reasonably certain the coat is retaining its shape well.
For best results once the coat is no longer draining any liquid whatsoever, it should be put on a manniquin to dry, buttoned or zipped and with a fan directed up the coat's skirts. This is unlikely to be available. It could also be worn my someone taking a long walk on a warm and windy day. This step of having the coat dry in the shape you want it to be in the end may not be at all necessary. To avoid this much trouble, during the drying flat stage, re-arrange and arrange the coat to have the correct lines you want once it is dry. It might also be hung on enough coat hangers to create a reasonably shoulder shaped structure.
The drying stage should be done as quickly as practical. Do not submerge the coat if you aren't going to be able to dry it within two days or so, because getting mildew in the coat would be disastrous. You also want to dry it somewhere that the air is dry, like inside a centrally heated house where you keep having to use lotion to prevent your skin from cracking because the air has gotten so dry.
Once the coat is dry the fur and even the shell may need brushing to restore their appearance. Use a smoothing brush, not a detangling brush, unless the pile is very long and irregular, in which case start with an afro pick and move on to the detangling brush after wards. If there is lint in the pile it should be separated out painstakingly as much as possible and can be cut out with a pair of very fine scissors. Brush gently. It is possible that the pile could be pulled out if you have to tug hard.
If there is any residual smell, air it very well and store it with something that masks the smell until it has all gone. Puke smells do not ordinarily linger. But if you have thoroughly washed it there should be no puke smell left.
If you search washing stuffed animals on line you will get more ideas and instructions. Children puke on stuffed animals that must be salvaged at all costs all the time. My sister once dropped her beloved bunny into my puke basin accidentally. The problem is a similar one except that usually a beloved stuffed animal is kept even if the bath renders it looking more like a grey lumpy bag than a a plush Easter rabbit.
This coat sounds extremely salvageable to me. The barrier to getting it cleans seems to be mainly how much trouble you are willing to take and how close you want to get to your own puke.
posted by Jane the Brown at 10:58 AM on December 11, 2018
The tried and true gentle washing method is by hand, in the sink, with warm water and Woolite. I doubt this will be difficult.
posted by nosila at 1:27 PM on December 11, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by nosila at 1:27 PM on December 11, 2018 [1 favorite]
Yup, salvageable. I'd spot clean as much as you can and then either wash in a tub by hand (not ideal as the coat will hold a lot of water) or gentle cycle in the washer. You can also just spot-wash the soiled fur area by hand - it'll be much easier to dry. It should all come out, but if there's residual smell, rubbing alcohol works very well for further cleaning with no damage.
posted by quince at 1:54 PM on December 11, 2018
posted by quince at 1:54 PM on December 11, 2018
Strangely I've found that baby wipes clean everything. There's a brand called Wet Ones that are just wipes, but I use them on everything. Upholstery, clothes, car interior, kids, carpet, you name it. Might help at least freshen up things after the bigger pieces are taken care of.
posted by PJMoore at 3:52 PM on December 11, 2018
posted by PJMoore at 3:52 PM on December 11, 2018
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