What are the common misunderstandings about looking after fur, shearling and faux fur?
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 It stays unpublished until legal review and source verification are complete.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.
By material
| 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 | — | — | — |
- Real fur products are labelled "fur" (毛皮) under the Household Goods Quality Labelling Act (fur falls under the miscellaneous industrial goods regulations, not the textile ones); faux fur is labelled by fibre name, such as "polyester". "Fur-look" and "eco fur" are not labelling terms — look for the fibre name.
- Mould and moths in real fur: the biggest risk is getting through the humid summer. Some people use a fur shop's storage service (refrigerated vault).
- Frizzed pile on faux fur is caused by heat (tumble dryer, hairdryer, iron) and does not recover. After washing, dry in the shade and brush only once dry.
- For animal-welfare and environmental reasons the shift to faux fur is well under way, and more shoppers check the label to see whether an item is real fur.
[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.
Misunderstanding 1｜No fur can be washed
Faux fur can be hand-washed if the label allows. Real fur and shearling cannot. Check the fibre name on the label.
Misunderstanding 2｜A tumble dryer dries faux fur quickly
Heat frizzes the pile and it does not recover. Dry in the shade, then brush once dry.
Misunderstanding 3｜Fur is tough, so the closet is fine
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.
Misunderstanding 4｜Shearling boots can be washed in water
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).
Misunderstanding 5｜"Eco fur" is a labelling category
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).
---
Sources
- Consumer Affairs Agency, "Household Goods Quality Labelling Act — Textile Goods Quality Labelling Regulations" (labelling of fur products) [家庭用品品質表示法 繊維製品品質表示規程（毛皮製品の表示）]
https://www.caa.go.jp/policies/policy/representation/household_goods/guide/fiber/
- Japan Fur Association, "Caring for and storing fur" [毛皮のお手入れと保管]
https://www.fur.or.jp/
- Consumer Affairs Agency, "Care labelling (from 20 August 2024)" [洗濯表示（令和6年8月20日以降）]
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.
About this article
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.
Sources
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