The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-05-10
CARE OF FURS.
How to Clean and Pack Them Safely
For Summer.


For Summer.
Now Is the time when furs are to be
cleaned and put away where neither
moth nor rust shall corrupt them, and
this is how the furriers do it and
charge you from SIS to $50 for it:
When it is decided to put away tho
fur garment or piece it should be hung
| out on line in the sun two days, TAX
ing it in at night. Then the garment,
Of whatever kind, or muff should be
laid fiat on clean place and well
beaten with two light but strong rat
tan sticks. This is done to smash any
moth eggs that may have found lodg-
beaten thus to make sure the eggs are
destroyed.
All dark furs, including skunk, mink,
seal and astrakhan, and, in fact, all
the furs except ermine and chinchilla,
should be we'll rubbed with a mixture
of hot sand and sawdust in equal
parts, but not hot enough to burn the
fur. This is to be shaken all over the
garments and rubbed in well, and then
they should be hung up and beaten
with the rattans. This shakes the
sand and sawdust out and leaves the
fur clean and glossy.
If the long hairs in bearskins or any
Of the long haired furs do not look
fluffy when the beating is done, comb
that part out with clean comb. Bear
particularly is apt to tangle.
Sealskin may be wet and brushed up
with the grain, which is made to run
upward. Leave it until dry and then
brush it. and if that does not free it all
use fine tooth comb.
Ermine and white fox should be air
ed on dry, windy day and then thor
oughly beaten with the rattans and
left in the sun. If any moth should
be in the fur, this will kill it, and the
beating also destroys eggs.
Ermine and chinchilla to be cleaned
Of grease and all other soils must be
laid fiat and plaster Of paris and corn
starch used. The plaster of paris Is
applied dry first and rubbed we'll into
the very roots Of the hairs with the
bare hand. Lots of it should be put
on and rubbed in until the fur will
look clean when shaken out. The
powder absorbs the dirt and grease,
and then it is to be beaten out with
the rattans, and If this can be done in
the open air it is better.
When this is done and the plaster IL
all out, the cornstarch is to be applied
with liberal hand and rubbed into the
roots of the fur and finally shakenand
beaten out. After this is done the fur
should be white as snow and fluffy ~
feathers.
When the fur is thus fully cleaned
and beaten, it should be again hung in
the sun all day. after which it can be
put into cotton bag and this sewed
tightly, so that nothing can enter 1t.
Then literally sprinkle the bag with
camphor gum in powder, or, If pre-
ferred. camphor balls, and then put 1t
into tarred paper bag. Such bags are |
to be purchased everywhere. and they
anord an excellent protection.
The coolest place in house Is the |
one for hanging the paper bags with
the furs in them. In the large fur
houses they have cold storage place,
and fine furs are kept in there.
In the fall, when it is time for furs
again. days airing is all that is re-
quired, and they are clean and ready |
to wear. This is the method of clean
Ing furs as used by the best houses.
The silk or satin Innings can be cleaned
with gasoline.