Value Village ／ Clothing
This answer is a draft. It stays unpublished until legal review and source verification are complete.
A winter coat with a fur trim or a pair of shearling boots is handled quite differently depending on what it is made of: real fur, sheepskin (mouton, as it is called in Japan) or faux fur. Here we explain how to read the label — in Japan it tells you exactly which you have — and where the line between washable and not washable falls.
| Material | Label | Washing at home | Everyday | Storage | Specialist cleaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faux fur | Polyester, acrylic, modacrylic | Hand-wash if the label allows (neutral detergent, press-wash, do not wring or knead). No tumble dryer or high heat (the pile frizzes) | Once dry, brush the pile back up | Do not crush it | Usually not needed |
| Real fur | "Fur" (毛皮, kegawa) — mink, fox, etc.; labelled under the Household Goods Quality Labelling Act | No | Fur brush, air in the shade. If wet, shake the water off and dry in the shade | Breathable bag, hanger, no crushing, moth repellent (not touching the fur), humidity control | Fur specialist (once a year, at the end of the season) |
| Shearling (mouton, 羊毛皮) | Sheepskin with wool (羊毛皮) | No (boots and coats). Rugs labelled "washable" are the exception | Brush, air in the shade. Dry the inside of boots | As above | Specialist |
| Fur on a down jacket (hood trim) | Usually detachable | Detach the hood and handle the fur separately | — | — | — |
[Verify] Check which set of regulations covers fur (textile goods or miscellaneous industrial goods) and the scope of the labelling duty against the Consumer Affairs Agency's list of covered items, and fur care against the Japan Fur Association and similar bodies.
Faux fur can be hand-washed if the label allows. Real fur and shearling cannot. Check the fibre name on the label.
Heat frizzes the pile and it does not recover. Dry in the shade, then brush once dry.
Humidity brings mould, and moths eat it. Breathable bag, no crushing, moth repellent not touching the fur, and a fur shop's summer storage is another option.
Water stiffens and shrinks sheepskin. Brush, air in the shade, use a dedicated cleaner. Let the moisture out of the inside (see the boots article).
The label gives the fibre name (polyester, etc.). "Eco fur" and "faux fur" are product names and everyday usage; whether it is real is decided by whether the label says "fur" (毛皮).
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https://www.caa.go.jp/policies/policy/representation/household_goods/guide/fiber/
https://www.fur.or.jp/
https://www.caa.go.jp/policies/policy/representation/household_goods/guide/wash_02.html
⚠️ Editorial note: the source URLs above were identified by search. Our working environment cannot reach go.jp domains, so the contents have not been checked against the text. Verify every source before publication and record who checked it and when.
What we share here are ideas and everyday practices passed down among people living in Japan, together with general information drawn from public sources. They are not official recommendations, and they are not professional instruction. Practices vary between households and regions.
This is general information. Results vary from person to person and depend on your own conditions and surroundings.
Please decide for yourself, using your own judgement, whether any of this suits your situation. We cannot accept responsibility for any damage, loss or injury arising from following this article.
Follow the care label and the maker's instructions for any garment, shoe or bag. For expensive or sentimental items, ask a specialist cleaner or repairer.
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