Nothing beats the warmth of a quality coat in winter. Soft, snug, and stylish, our favourite winter coats don’t just keep us warm, they also keep us looking great. The best part is quality coats are often timelessly designed. So with the right care, your winter coat will last you season after season. Keep reading to discover 10 simple tips to care for your winter coats.
Why we should all invest in a quality winter coat
While we may wish otherwise, winter arrives with an icy bite every year. That means every year, we find ourselves reaching into the back of our cupboards to look for something to keep out the chill. Investing in a versatile, stylish, and responsibly-made winter coat means that you will always have that go-to staple ready before you step out into the cold.
The right coat will keep you warm and looking elegant from your morning stroll to the bus, through to a night out on the town. Twenty or thirty years is nothing when it comes to a properly-treated coat. This is an essential consideration if you are trying to buy less and buy better—which happens to be our number one ethical fashion mantra.
Check out our favourite coats from “Good” and “Great” rated brands
10 simple ways to care for your winter coat
Work these general tips into your routine, and your favourite jacket will stay with you for many winters to come. But before we start, make sure to always read the label for fibre content and follow the care instructions for each coat.
- Treat your wool, fleece, or suede coat with a lint or suede brush after wearing it to remove surface soil and lint.
- Hang all coats on well-made wood hangers, so the weight of the coat doesn’t stretch the shoulder area. Never fold your coat as fabrics tend to take a shape and hold it. Folds or creases in a sturdy fabric can take a long time to disappear.
- Coats shouldn’t be hung in a cramped cupboard—fresh air helps the material stay crisp. That’s even more reason to take your coat out with you wherever you go.
- Remove light stains by blotting (never rubbing) with cold water or soda water using an absorbent cloth or paper towel.
- Your coat should be cleaned at the beginning and at the end of the season. Professional wet cleaning is an alternative to dry cleaning (which uses lots of harmful chemicals).
- Empty the pockets of your coat after each use to keep them from sagging or losing shape.
- If the care instructions say to hand wash, use a mild detergent and lukewarm water and let the item soak for 10 minutes before rinsing in cool water. Never use hot water or bleach on wool or other heavy items.
- For wool and fleece coats, gently squeeze the garment and lay it flat to dry. Hanging vertically using pegs can ruin these coats’ shape. But leather, faux leather, suede, or rain coats can be hung to air dry.
- Allow 24 hours between wearing your coat to enable wrinkles to dissipate and the elasticity of the fabric to bounce back.
- Store your coats in a sealed garment bag at the end of the season. Avoid mothballs, which smell terrible and leave a dangerous chemical residue in the wool. Natural cedar balls are an excellent moth repellent.
