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For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
Posts: 120have found that mohair that starts lovely and soft goes dull after stuffing and a lot of handling! even Schulte has done it to me, the same mohair used by someone else hasnt done it to them so it must be me! 
Help - what can I do to either prevent it or to get the shine back? 
Sacred Bear Studiosnever heard of that, but maybe try wearing cotton gloves while you are assembling?
Posts: 120Am starting to wonder whether it is the fact I always have hot hands even in cold weather! have some cotton gloves which will try to use.
A suggestion. I often do it with my mohair bears as it also helps with the fur direction, giving them a tidier look.
- spray them with a little water (don't get them too wet, only so that the fur is humid)
- brush them with a cat brush (I have one that I use especially for my teddies as I own no cats! 
)
-apply some hair styling mousse (if it's good for our hair, why not for our bears' fur? 
)
-brush again then let it dry (if you are in a hurry you can dry it gently with your hair drier)
-when it's perfectly dry, you can do some more gentle brushing.
Good luck!
Posts: 120Does the mousse help with the softness and shine?
PijangibearsI have the same problem with synthetec - Schulte fake fur. It is not the same, after I have finished the bear.
So I use cotton gloves, when working with fake fur. I have never had the problem with mohair.
Posts: 120I take it the gloves work and stop the fur dulling Birgitte?
PijangibearsYes, the gloves work, but I hate to use gloves - also when I do garden work.
Posts: 120Thank you - have a pair but they need a wash since they are my moisturising ones!
Yes, the mousse helps both with styling and with the shine.
desertmountainbearI do the same as Francesca, I just use water though. When I am all done, the bears get a gentle spray and a brush. If the mohair is unruly or too wavy I use a blow dryer, just like I would my own hair.
BatFinch BearsThese are some excellent tips! I shall have to invest in some cotton gloves. I find it very frustrating when my bear ends up looking "well-loved"(aka, scruffy), before it's even fully finished!
I shall definitely test these on my next worse for wear looking bear.
Posts: 120I have tried the gloves and it works! You can get away with just one glove on the hand that is holding the item that is stuffed!!! 
Thank you everyone 
