Conditioning Sporran Fur/Hair

**Dram** · 22nd February 10, 08:53 PM

Is there a product available for conditiong fur sporrans? Was wondering how/if people clean and condition fur sporrans or if they're best just left alone.

I am getting an 1950's (I think) vintage sporran, I believe it is made of both Seal and Mink (I've never seen two types of fur on a sporran, but this one appears to have it) and think maybe it could use some conditioning.

Thanks.

**auld argonian** · 22nd February 10, 08:58 PM

I remember that my wife bought a couple of vintage fur coats (nothing extravagant, mind you) and had them "glazed", which was some kind of process where, if I'm remembering this correctly, they tumble the piece around with some chemically treated sawdust that restores the oils to the fur. I would assume that this would help revitalize the fur on a vintage sporran.

Best

AA

**tyger** · 23rd February 10, 05:01 AM

The age-old time-tested way to clean a fur is simply to lay it flat on table and rub plain yellow cornmeal into the hair. The cornmeal will adsorb the dirt, dust, etc from the fur hairs, thus leaving the fur clean. To remove the cornmeal from fur, just shake it like you would a rug. It comes out easily, leaving fur clean and fresh. Sawdust from hardwood trees can be used instead of cornmeal; however, cornmeal is better (you don't want pine/spruce/etc sawdust because of the resins).

If you have a tumbler, you can tumble the fur in cornmeal. One way to tumble a fur is to put it into a waterproof bag such as the ones that we use to keep stuff dry while kayaking and canoeing http://www.thewaterproofstore.com/bags.html and tumble it in your household clothes dryer, making sure to set the temperature to air/fluff (no heat).

Here is a reference that contains information about the use of cornmeal to clean fur, and there is other information regarding hides furs,and skins:

http://www.state.tn.us/twra/pdfs/tanninghides.pdf

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 23rd February 10, 05:31 AM

If you'd feel more comfortable having it done professionally, L&M does offer a repair and refurbishing service for older sporrans.

You can contact your closest L&M retailer and ask them about the refurbishing service. I recently sent two older fur sporrans up to L&M for a client, and they were able to not only clean them, but also replace various bits and bobs that were coming apart. The sporrans looked as good as new.

**Dram** · 23rd February 10, 09:18 PM

Thanks guys. I will try the cornmeal apporach. I'll post some pics of the sporran when I get it.

**Tartan Hiker** · 24th February 10, 08:53 PM

When preparing mammal study skins its common to use cornmeal or borax powder. I've always preferred borax as it seems to clean better and shake out easier.

**sydnie7** · 25th February 10, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by Tartan Hiker

When preparing mammal study skins its common to use cornmeal or borax powder. I've always preferred borax as it seems to clean better and shake out easier.

Just read up on the safe handling of borax before you go shaking it around yourself, please.

**Lallans** · 25th February 10, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by Tartan Hiker

When preparing mammal study skins its common to use cornmeal or borax powder. I've always preferred borax as it seems to clean better and shake out easier.

Is this borax as in 20 Mule Team laundry borax, highly alkaline cleaning product, or as in boric acid powder USP that you buy as an old tyme remedy at the pharmacy? I'm been using the drug store stuff myself....

**Tartan Hiker** · 27th February 10, 11:02 AM

Yeah...20 mule team powder.

And quite right, you don't want to inhale it. I always take skins outside and shake them downwind. Secure storage if children are in the house, just like most cleaning agents.