How to Clean a Winter Coat: Wool, Down and Faux Fur

11 Oct

Written By Lee

When the temperature drops in the North East, the winter coat comes out of the wardrobe, often after months tucked away with last year's marks still on it. Here is how to clean the most common types of coat, what you can safely do at home, and when it is worth handing it to a dry cleaner.

Quick answer: check the care label first. Most wool coats should be dry cleaned, many down and puffer jackets can be washed gently with a down wash and dried thoroughly, and coats with faux fur, leather or suede are best left to a professional.

Start with the care label

The label inside the coat tells you what the maker recommends. A circle means it can be dry cleaned, a tub means it can be washed, and a crossed-out symbol means avoid that method. If the label has been cut out or has faded, treat the coat as dry clean only to be safe.

How to clean a wool coat

Wool coats can shrink, felt and lose their shape in a washing machine, so most need dry cleaning. Between cleans you can keep one looking good by brushing it with a clothes brush, airing it after wear and dabbing small marks with a damp cloth. Hang it on a wide, shaped hanger so the shoulders keep their shape.

A wool coat usually needs a professional clean once a season, or sooner if it has a stain or starts to smell musty. Our dry cleaning service cleans overcoats, woollens and tailored coats and presses them so they hang properly again.

How to clean a down or puffer jacket

Many down and synthetic puffer jackets can go in a large machine on a gentle, cool cycle with a specialist down wash, never fabric conditioner. The hard part is drying: down clumps and can smell if it is not dried completely, which can take several hours in a tumble dryer on a low heat.

If your jacket is a designer piece, is too bulky for your machine, or has come out flat and lumpy before, it is worth having it cleaned professionally. We clean fibre, feather and down jackets, including designer down jackets.

Coats with faux fur, leather or suede

Faux fur trims can mat and even melt with heat, and leather or suede panels can stain, stiffen or change colour when they get wet. Remove any detachable trims before washing. If the trim is sewn in, or the coat is leather or suede, take it to a specialist. We clean faux fur, suede and leather garments.

Raincoats and lightweight jackets

Most raincoats and shell jackets can be washed on a cool cycle, but check the label, as some need dry cleaning to protect their coating. Close all zips and poppers first so they do not snag.

Gentler cleaning for delicate coats

Many coats can also be cleaned with our eco-friendly professional wet cleaning, which is kind to fabrics and avoids harsh solvents. Read more in our guide to wet cleaning vs dry cleaning.

Store it clean at the end of winter

Always clean a coat before you put it away for summer. Marks that look minor in spring can set over the warmer months, and moths are drawn to wool with traces of food or sweat. Store it in a breathable cotton garment bag rather than plastic.