Cleaning a "Thrift find" coat

[foutchie]

found a terrific zip up, bomber style jacket done in grey rabbit fur for $4!!!!  Fit perfectly, looked great, smelled fine, but just wanted to clean it and make sure it's "fresh".   Well, no fur cleaners around here (and bet they are expensive anyway).  So I thought, the worst would be I'm out $4, the best it works.   Filled the bottom of the tub with warm water and carpet cleaner.   Added coat, swished it around, rubbed the lining, swished more.   rinsed in a tub of warm water and hair conditioner.     gently squeezed out excess water.   laid on towel, rolled it up and stomped out excess water.   draped over kitchen chair near window.   results:   coat is gorgeous, fluffy, smells wonderful and looks like brand new!

[Tammy]

ohhh sounds pretty!  You'll have to post a picture of it. 

Speaking of smells, I picked up a reproduction of a civil war ballgound.  This didn't come from a thrift store - I doubt any store would have taken it.  It reeked of cat - and I mean REEKED.  Didn't even want to touch it.  Threw it in my garage still in the bag thinking it might air it out a bit as I wasn't sure how to wash it.  2 weeks later it still reeked.  At the moment it's out laying on the burn pile.   

[lizardsally]

I don't know what a ballgound is.  Do you mean a ballgown?  If so can you Febreze it maybe?  I know, I know, Febreze is evil, but it's better than cat pee smell!  Plus after you Febreze it the Febreze smell should be easier to get rid of.  Or maybe put it in the dryer with some of that dryer "dry cleaning" stuff?  I have had good luck washing vintage dresses in the tub with a bit of Oxyclean too.  I figure for what I pay for stuff I really have nothing to lose!

For other items a really good way to get smells out is to seal them in an airtight container filled with crumpled newspaper.  The paper absorbs the smell.

[foutchie]

I would go ahead and try the Oxyclean, then maybe a rinse in vinegar water.....can't hurt, if it's headed for the burn pile anyway!

[alexandra]

You might not need to toss it.  Nothing other than an enzymatic cleaner will do -- that breaks down the molecular structure of the urine.  You might as well give it a try (although it might take a few rounds).  Wash it in cold water, rather than hot.  Heat/hot can set in smells and stains.

Thriftily,
Alexandra (formerly Behavior Helpline Specialist for the local SPCA, cat urine problems were very frequent!)
www.livingwithoutmoney.blogspot.com

[ChrisMiss]

That enzyme stuff really works good.  We used to use it on our carpet when the dog whizzed on it.  Fabreeze works good too.  We used it in our car when the cat accidentally wet the back seat through his carrier.  It took several times but eventually it worked, though I still had to do the seat in the summertime.  I think the heat of the car being closed up brought all the smell from deep in the cushions.  Now after 10 years I can safely say the smell is gone!