Is there any EASY way? I looked for info on how to do this and one site said make a weak solution of detergent in water and moisten a cloth in it and gently wipe down the exterior of the coat. Another said to let the coat soak for 15 minutes in cold water with mild detergent in a top-load washing machine, drain and rinse without agitating and repeat if necessary. Both said it might work for short furs, but long haired tend to get matted. Neither mentioned dry cleaning which would be the easiest but probably the most expensive for me for something I probably couldn't even get $20 at a garage sale. Here's the coat - any suggestions?

It is fake fur. Synthetic.
I would feel Extremely lucky to get 5 dollars for it at a garage sale. I'd donate it as is, and let someone else deal with it.

Weakest Link- if this is from your aunt's home, I admire you for trying to do the right thing, but you really need to make 3 piles- trash, donate, keep. Sort everything into the proper pile and send them on their way.

It isn't neccessary to attend to each item, although it certainly is admirable of you to do so. If that coat doesn't have an odor to it from the home, the thrift store will price it and put it out for sale. The new owner will then do what they need to in order to clean it.

Oh, if it is fake fur you may be able to take it to the laundromat and wash it on gently in one of the big washers.

However, I do agree with Becky56. I tried time and time again to help my brother immediately following our mother's death last year. He kept putting me off. I recently found out that he is going through each item piece by piece...which is not what our mother wanted. (Since I'm not having to deal with him dealing with it, I'm fine with it. Whatever he wants to do.)

One of my mother's friends washed and or dry-cleaned all of her deceased sister's clothing that had been in storage for 3 or so years. Then sold them in a garage sale. She did not realize very much money from the ordeal...would have been better off donating to charity. During the winter many cities have dry cleaning establishments that will take coats, clean them, then donate to a coat drive.

Weakestlink, it is fun piece that might generate some interest in an auction or yard sale. Don't spend any money trying to "clean it up." Let it be what it is and move on closing these estates.