Caring for a Wool Coat – How to Look After the Wool Between Wears

Wool does not need frequent washing

Wool fibres have a natural layer that repels dirt and moisture, and smells escape on their own when the garment hangs and airs. That is why a wool coat is built to take a whole season of wear without washing. In fact, cleaning too often wears the fabric more than wearing it does – each round takes a little off the fibres and the shape. So the goal is not to clean often, but to care for the garment regularly, so it stays looking good and only needs a thorough clean now and then. And remember: a wool coat should never go in the washing machine – wool felts, shrinks and loses its shape in a machine wash.

Weekly care: brush, air and hang correctly

Most of the care is simple and takes minutes. Make it a habit after wearing, and the coat rarely needs more.

1. Brush the coat top to bottom with a soft clothes brush after wearing – it removes dust, lint and surface dirt before it sets.
2. Air the garment overnight on a hanger before returning it to the wardrobe, so smells and moisture can escape.
3. Hang the coat on a broad, shaped hanger – never a thin wire one, which makes bumps in the shoulders.
4. Button the coat while it hangs, so it keeps its shape.
5. Give the garment a rest day between wears; wool relaxes and regains its spring when it rests.

Spot-cleaning stains

A single stain need not mean a full clean. Deal with it right away, and treat only the stain – not the whole garment.

1. Gently scrape away anything dry or solid with the back of a spoon before you do anything wet.
2. Blot the stain, do not rub – rubbing pushes it deeper and can felt the wool.
3. For water-based stains: use a little cold water with a drop of mild detergent on a clean cloth.
4. Work from the outside of the stain inward, so you do not create a ring.
5. Always test on a hidden area first, and let the coat air-dry flat or on a hanger.
6. If the stain is grease-based, old or large, do not use water – then it is a job for a professional.

Remove pilling and refresh with steam

Wear and creasing make the coat look older than it is. You can fix both at home without washing.

1. Remove pilling on wear-prone areas – collar, cuffs and under the arms – with a clothes brush, a pilling comb or a fabric shaver. Work gently.
2. Steam the coat with a garment steamer or by hanging it in a steamy bathroom; the steam releases creases, lets smells escape and revives the fibres.
3. Brush lightly in the direction of the fibre after steaming to lift the nap.
4. Let the coat hang until it is completely dry before wearing or storing it.

When the coat should go to a professional

Send the coat or overcoat in when the whole garment is dirty after a season, when a stain has set or is grease-based, when the lining or structure needs freshening – or before you put the garment away for the summer. A coat stored clean keeps better and does not attract moths, because invisible traces of sweat and food are exactly what moths go after. We clean the garment gently according to fabric and care label, and can waterproof it or make a small repair in the same round. You order online, and you see the price before you order.

Frequently asked questions