How to Wash Faux Fur
Faux fur pile is thermoplastic — acrylic (Tg ~85–100°C) or polyester (Tg ~70–80°C). Tumble dryer heat melts and fuses the pile permanently. Cold gentle machine wash in a mesh bag is safe; brushing the pile every 30 minutes while it air dries is essential to prevent it setting matted.
The Chemistry
Faux fur is a pile fabric that mimics the appearance and feel of animal fur using synthetic fibres — typically acrylic (polyacrylonitrile) or polyester, with acrylic being the dominant fibre for long-pile fur effects and polyester more common in shorter pile "teddy" styles. The pile is attached to a knitted or woven backing fabric, with the long fibres standing upright from the backing to create the fur-like texture. The critical physical chemistry of faux fur centres on the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the thermoplastic pile fibres. Acrylic has a Tg of approximately 85–100°C, and polyester has a Tg of approximately 70–80°C. The Tg is the temperature at which a thermoplastic polymer transitions from a rigid, glassy state to a softer, rubbery state where it can be permanently deformed. Below the Tg, the pile fibres hold their shape; above the Tg, they become soft enough to deform under pressure or tension, and when they cool back down, they are permanently set in that new deformed shape. This is why faux fur must never be exposed to dryer heat or hot water. A tumble dryer reaches 75–90°C on a standard heat setting — above the Tg of polyester and potentially at the lower end of acrylic's range. Under this heat, the pile fibres soften, press against each other from the tumbling motion, and become permanently fused in a matted, compressed state. The matt cannot be unravelled by brushing because the fibres are thermoplastically bonded to adjacent fibres at the contact points. Similarly, ironing directly on faux fur at any temperature will instantly melt or deform the pile fibres. The second failure mode for faux fur is tangling from mechanical agitation. Long-pile faux fur (like fur coats or large fur trims) behaves similarly to long hair under mechanical agitation — the pile fibres tangle and knot around each other. Unlike real fur, where the fibres are anchored in an animal skin pelt, faux fur pile fibres are attached to a knitted backing that can flex, allowing the pile to tangle easily under machine agitation. Cold water reduces fibre flexibility slightly, which helps, but the primary protection against tangling is using a mesh laundry bag (limiting the range of motion of the garment), a gentle cycle (minimising total agitation), and cold water (which keeps pile fibres stiffer). The critical step for restoring faux fur pile after washing is brushing while still damp, before the pile sets in whatever position it has dried in. When wet faux fur pile fibres contact each other during drying, they can dry in a semi-fused, matted state even without reaching their Tg — the combined effect of surface tension from water and slight remaining fibre flexibility creates a light matting. A wire slicker brush (the type sold for grooming pet coats) drawn through the pile while it is still damp and every 30 minutes during drying will restore the pile direction, separate any tangled fibres, and prevent the surface from setting flat. This step takes time but is essential for long-pile faux fur. The critical distinction between faux fur and real fur is that real fur (animal pelt) cannot be washed at home at all — it requires professional dry cleaning with solvents specifically designed for natural leather and protein fibre. The animal skin pelt (the base of real fur) tightens, cracks, and becomes brittle when wet, and no amount of conditioning fully reverses the damage. Faux fur has no pelt — just a synthetic backing — which is why it can be safely washed at home with cold water and gentle agitation. Teddy fleece (short-pile acrylic or polyester) is related to faux fur but more forgiving: the shorter pile is less susceptible to tangling and, because the pile fibres are shorter and stiffer, they are somewhat more resistant to matting under moderate agitation. The same Tg restrictions apply (no dryer heat), but shorter-pile teddy fleece can often be machine washed in a mesh bag on a gentle cold cycle and air dried with minimal brushing.
Step-by-step
- 1
Shake outdoors first to remove loose debris — dry cleaning is preferred for heavy soiling
For light surface soiling, spot cleaning with a damp cloth is the least disruptive option — it avoids tangling and Tg risks entirely. For general cleaning: take the garment outdoors and shake it firmly to dislodge loose particles, lint, and pet hair before washing. Putting a faux fur garment directly in the machine without shaking first adds debris to the wash water that can redeposit on the pile during the cycle. Heavy soiling (stains, embedded dirt, strong odours) on high-value faux fur coats or throws is best handled by a professional dry cleaner with synthetic-fibre experience.
- 2
Place in a large mesh laundry bag and wash cold on the gentlest possible cycle
A mesh laundry bag is essential for faux fur — it limits the garment's range of motion during the wash cycle, significantly reducing tangling of the long pile fibres. Cold water only (20–25°C maximum). Warm or hot water brings the pile fibres closer to their Tg and increases fibre flexibility, worsening tangling. Select the most gentle cycle your machine offers: delicates, handwash simulation, or the lowest agitation setting. The less mechanical agitation, the less tangling and pile disruption. Use a small amount of mild liquid detergent.
- 3
Spin on the lowest available speed — faux fur pile tangles under high centrifugal force
High spin speeds (1200–1400rpm) create significant centrifugal force that presses the wet pile fibres against each other under pressure while the backing fabric vibrates — ideal conditions for fibre-to-fibre bonding via surface tension. Set the spin speed to the lowest your machine allows (400–600rpm) or use a 'no spin' option if available. Remove the garment from the machine promptly before it cools in the drum — the longer it sits bunched after the cycle, the more the pile dries in a compressed, tangled state.
- 4
Gently press water out with towels — never wring
Remove from the mesh bag and place flat on a clean dry towel. Fold the towel over the garment and press firmly along the length without twisting or squeezing. The towel absorbs significant water from both the backing and the pile. Wringing or twisting faux fur causes the backing to deform and the pile fibres to tangle irreversibly. Repeat with a second dry towel if needed. The garment should be damp but not dripping before moving to the drying stage.
- 5
Brush pile immediately with a wire slicker brush — then continue brushing every 30 minutes while drying
This is the most critical step for long-pile faux fur. While the pile is still damp, use a wire slicker brush (sold as a pet slicker brush — the same type used to groom cats and dogs) and work through the pile in long strokes in the natural pile direction. This separates tangled fibres, restores pile direction, and prevents the surface setting in a matted state as it dries. Lay the garment flat on a clean towel and brush every 20–30 minutes as it dries. For long fur, this may require 4–6 sessions over 3–4 hours of drying. Do not skip this step.
- 6
Never tumble dry — never iron — air dry completely
No exceptions. Tumble drying reaches temperatures above the Tg of both acrylic and polyester pile fibres — the pile will permanently mat, glaze, or fuse. Ironing at any temperature directly on faux fur pile will instantly melt or deform the fibres. If the pile looks slightly flat once dry, hold a clothes steamer 3–5cm above the surface — the gentle heat softens the fibres slightly above ambient temperature but below Tg, and the steam provides a non-contact way to 'lift' the pile. Brush again with the pile direction immediately after steaming while the fibres are still warm.
Faux fur washing guide by type
| Type | Method | Temp | Dry | Brushing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long-pile acrylic faux fur coat or trim | Mesh bag, gentlest cold machine cycle | Cold (20°C) | Air dry flat — NO tumble dryer | ESSENTIAL — brush while damp every 30min | Highest tangling and matting risk |
| Short-pile teddy fleece (polyester) | Mesh bag, gentle cold machine cycle | Cold–30°C | Air dry or hang | Helpful but not critical | More forgiving than long pile; same Tg rules |
| Faux fur throw or blanket | Mesh bag if fits; gentle cold large drum | Cold (20°C) | Air dry flat — takes several hours | ESSENTIAL for long pile | Needs a large (9–10kg) drum — laundromat if needed |
| Faux fur collar or small trim | Cold hand wash gently or spot clean | Cold | Lay flat, brush while damp | Essential | Spot cleaning preferred when attached to garment |
| Faux fur hat or accessories | Cold hand wash or spot clean | Cold | Reshape while damp, air dry | Yes — use fingers or soft brush | Spot clean only for structured hats with internal sizing |
| Real fur (for comparison) | Professional dry clean ONLY — no home washing | N/A | Professional only | Professional only | Pelt cracks and tightens permanently when wet |
Frequently asked questions
Can you put faux fur in the tumble dryer?
No. Faux fur pile is made from thermoplastic fibres — acrylic (glass transition temperature 85–100°C) or polyester (Tg 70–80°C). Tumble dryers reach 75–90°C on standard heat settings, which is above or at the Tg of these fibres. When the fibres reach their Tg, they soften and the mechanical action of the drum presses them together, permanently fusing them in a matted, glazed state that cannot be restored. Always air dry faux fur flat, brushing the pile every 30 minutes while it dries.
How do you restore matted faux fur?
If the faux fur has been air-dried without brushing and has set slightly flat, you can often restore it by holding a clothes steamer (not a contact iron) 3–5cm above the pile surface and following immediately with a wire slicker brush while the fibres are still warm. Work in the direction of the natural pile. If the matting was caused by tumble dryer heat that thermoplastically fused the fibres together, restoration is not possible — the fibres have been permanently deformed. Prevention by brushing while damp and air drying is the only effective approach.
Can you iron faux fur?
Never iron faux fur with direct contact. The thermoplastic acrylic or polyester pile fibres have a glass transition temperature (85–100°C for acrylic, 70–80°C for polyester) that a clothes iron easily exceeds on any setting above minimum. Direct contact will instantly melt, deform, or glaze the pile permanently. If the pile needs heat treatment to restore its shape, use a hand steamer held 3–5cm above the surface without contact, followed immediately by brushing with a wire slicker brush while the fibres are still warm.
What is the difference between faux fur and real fur washing?
Real fur cannot be washed at home — the animal skin pelt (the base of real fur) tightens, cracks, and becomes permanently brittle when wet. Real fur requires professional dry cleaning with specialist solvents. Faux fur has no pelt — only a synthetic backing fabric — so it can be washed at home in cold water with gentle agitation. The risks are different: faux fur must avoid heat (to protect thermoplastic pile fibres) and require pile brushing after washing, but home washing is entirely feasible for most faux fur garments.