“Furriers Method”.
This process is and has been the standard for many years. It consist of
a several step process intended to remove dust and grime, add oil to the
skin and weatherproof the outer hair. In earlier days the cleaning
medium was sawdust and dry cleaning fluid. Florida Fur and Leather uses
the Furriers Method but all chemicals in the process are environmentally
safe. Pumice and the cleaning fluid have replaced the sawdust and
lubricants are water based.
The treated pumice is mixed into several furs to be cleaned and the load
is placed in a drum and tumbled. Grit and dirt are dissolved by the
cleaning fluid and adheres to the pumice. Lubrication is transferred to
the skin to make it soft and pliable. A weatherproofing agent is applied
to the outer guard hairs to repel future dirt and to give the fur
surface a shiny brilliant look and feel.
Next the furs are transferred to a perforated drum and al the pumice
laden with grit is tumbled out of the fur.
The cleaning load is removed and the furs hung up to dry out. Before
cleaning the lining was treated with special cleaning agent to remove
soil, makeup and perspiration.
In the finishing process the fur and lining is inspected for rips and
tears and repairs are made before the lining is ironed and the fur shook
out and placed in storage.
Florida
Fur and Leather uses the Kirk’s Suede-Life process for cleaning
suede and leather garments. Kirk’s system is called
the Clean and Green system because only environmentally friendly
chemicals are used in a wet clean process.
Most leather garments
are prespotted to soften specific stains such as dirty collar and
cuffs. The leathers are washed in a specially designed washer with
chemical additives to clean soften and protect the leather wear.
After slow drying
leather is tumbled and pressed and steam finished. Most garments
require redying and repainting the surface to hide set-in stains and
flaws. The item is inspected for minor flaws before being returned to
the customer in an as-new condition.
Many manufacturing
companies recommend the Suede-Life cleaning process on their care label
including St. John’s Bay, Arizona and Eddie Bauer.
