How to store your fur coat in summer: cold storage and alternatives

Summer is here, and your fur coat needs to go into hibernation. What you do with it between May and September will determine, more than anything else, whether it lasts 10 or 40 years. Storing a fur coat properly in summer is not complicated, but it requires knowing a few technical rules and, above all, knowing what alternatives exist for those of us who cannot put it in a professional cold room. This guide covers both scenarios.

Why storing your fur coat properly in summer is critical

Natural fur has two enemies in summer: dry heat and accumulated moisture. Heat dries out the leather (the backing of every fur piece) and causes it to crack. Moisture allows mold and bacteria to develop, which destroy the garment. Four or five summers of improper storage can leave a €4,000 coat beyond repair.

The ideal storage conditions are: a temperature between 4 and 10 °C, 45-55% relative humidity, total darkness, and constant air circulation. These conditions are not found in any household closet in Spain, where indoor temperatures easily exceed 25-30 °C in summer and ambient humidity fluctuates uncontrollably. That is why knowing how to store your fur coat in summer makes the difference between preserving it intact or losing it.

Option 1: Professional cold room (the optimal solution)

Fur cold rooms are climate-controlled rooms specifically designed to store furs. Professional furriers offer this service to their clients during the summer season.

How it works

• The garment is inspected and lightly cleaned upon arrival.
• It is hung on wide hangers in a temperature-controlled room (4-8 °C).
• It remains there from May to September, with periodic inspections.
• It is returned in autumn clean, brushed, and ready to wear.

Cost and reservation

The price in Spain ranges from €60 to €150 per season depending on the garment. Important: spaces are limited and are reserved in April-May. If you wait until June, you will probably not find availability. At Nomadi we offer this service: contact info@nomadideluxe.com before June to reserve.

It is, without question, the best money you can spend on your coat. If your piece is worth more than €1,500, the annual cold room cost is more than offset by the risk of damage.

Option 2: Advanced home storage (a reasonable alternative)

If you cannot access a cold room due to budget or logistics, there are ways to store the coat at home while minimizing damage. It is not optimal, but it is much better than leaving it hanging without any special care in the closet.

The six steps of proper home storage

1. Inspection and brushing. Before storing, gently brush the fur in its natural direction with a soft-bristle brush. Check that there are no stains (if there are, take it to the furrier before storing it; never leave a stain untreated for five months).
2. 24-hour airing. Hang the garment in a cool, well-ventilated room for a full day before storing it. This evaporates any residual moisture.
3. Proper hanger. Wide wooden hanger, at least 5 cm thick at the shoulders. Thin hangers deform the garment in just a few weeks.
4. Raw cotton or linen cover, NEVER plastic. Plastic suffocates the leather. If you do not have a specific cover, a clean old cotton sheet works perfectly.
5. Cool, dark place. The highest part of a closet away from windows, in the coolest room in the house. If you have a room with air conditioning, even better.
6. No side pressure. Leave space around it. If your closet is packed, dedicate one section solely to the furrier.

What you should NEVER do

• Plastic covers or airtight bags. They prevent the leather from breathing and promote condensation and mold.
• Naphthalene or mothballs in direct contact. Their smell permeates the fur, and some compounds can dry out the leather.
• Storing it near heat sources or under direct light. Heat dries it out and light fades the fur.
• Folding the garment or stacking it. The fur must be hung to avoid permanent creases.
• Storing it dirty or with stains. Any residue sets during the months of storage and becomes difficult to remove.

Conclusion: protect your investment every summer

Whether you opt for a professional cold room or advanced home storage, the important thing is to act before the high temperatures set in. Inspecting, airing, hanging on a wide hanger, and choosing a cool, dark place are simple steps that extend the life of your garment by years. Storing your fur coat properly in summer is the best way to continue enjoying it season after season. If you have doubts about your specific piece, at Nomadi we can advise you on the best preservation option.