How to clean and care for your winter coat
How to clean and care for your winter coat
Keep your winter coat fresh between washes by airing it after wear, gently brushing off dried mud and allowing it to dry fully after rain. Always follow the care label and check fabric suitability before cleaning or steaming, taking extra care with delicate materials, waterproof finishes and trims.
Introduction
Once the weather turns cold, a coat quickly becomes part of the everyday routine. It comes along on the school run, the commute, weekend walks and those quick trips out when the sky looks clear but has other ideas. All that wear can leave it damp or marked or perhaps a little less fresh, but this doesn’t mean it needs washing after every outing.
A few simple habits can help keep your coat in good condition throughout winter. The best care depends on the fabric, lining and any special finish, so make the care label your first port of call before cleaning, drying or steaming. With that in mind, here’s how to look after your coat between washes.
Dealing with dirt & marks
Coats naturally pick up a bit of the outdoors: splashes from wet pavements, dust from the car or bus, and the occasional muddy paw print from a walk. When you get home, try to hang your coat up rather than leaving it in a heap, empty the pockets and fasten the zips to help it keep its shape. Ensure when hanging it somewhere, that you leave a little space around it to give the fabric chance to air.
For muddy marks, allow the dirt to dry before trying to remove it. It can be tempting to wipe a fresh splash straight away, but that may spread it further across the fabric. Once dry, gently brush away loose dirt with a soft clothes brush or cloth, taking care not to scrub delicate materials. For small marks that remain, check the care label and follow cleaning instructions. If you’re using a cleaning method for the first time, make sure to test it on a discreet area of the coat first.
Drying correctly after rain
A wet coat needs time and space to dry properly. When you come in from the rain, shake off any excess water and hang the coat on a hanger that supports the shoulders and open the zip or buttons so air can reach the inside, making sure the sleeves aren’t tucked in or folded over. Choose a well-ventilated spot where the coat has room around it, rather than squeezing it between other clothes. A gentler approach is usually best: let the coat dry naturally and check it is completely dry before putting it back in a wardrobe.
In colder weather, indoor drying can make a room feel damp. A dehumidifier can help manage moisture in the air while your coat dries. If you’re drying lighter layers, a heated airer can give them a dedicated place to dry indoors, as long as their care labels allow it.
Refreshing without washing
Just because a coat has been worn, doesn’t necessarily mean it needs a full wash. Coats can pick up everyday smells from cooking and time outdoors, alongside seasonal scents, from summer barbecues to bonfire smoke and fireworks on Bonfire Night. If the care label says your coat is suitable, steaming can help refresh the fabric between washes and reduce lingering odours. A garment steamer is a handy way to give winter coats a quick refresh at home, especially when they don’t need a full wash.
Check the care label and steamer instructions first, then work over the coat in sections, keeping the steam moving. Take extra care with delicate fabrics, waterproof finishes and trims, and let the coat dry fully before wearing or storing it. A quick refresh when appropriate can help your coat feel ready to wear again, while saving a full wash for when it’s needed.
Conclusion
Winter coats do a lot of work, but looking after one doesn’t need to become a big job. Hang it up after wearing, deal with marks once they’re dry, and give it enough time and airflow after a rainy day. When it needs a refresh, check the care label before choosing between airing, steaming or washing.
These small steps can help keep your coat looking its best throughout the season and make it ready to reach for whenever the winter weather rolls in.