Coat Check: A Cleaning Guide for your Winter Coats & More

It’s easy for forget cleaning seasonal clothing as it rotates in and out of storage, but think about all the harsh conditions your outerwear weathers through. To keep your coats and jackets looking their best they need to be cleaned regularly just like the rest of your wardrobe. We’ve created a guide to help you know when it’s time to take your coat to the cleaner to keep it looking it’s best.

The key to knowing how often to clean your coat is the fabric. We’ve broken it down into 4 categories:

• Down jackets, leather jackets and wool coats: Once a season if worn occasionally; twice if worn regularly.
• Suit jackets and blazers: After four to five wear.
• Fleece jackets: After six or seven wears.
• Rain jackets: After several vigorous uses or once a month if worn irregularly .

Don’t forget to tend to your coats and jackets before storing them at the end of the season. Even if you can’t visibly see any spills or stains, cleaning outwear before storing is the only way to ensure it doesn’t attract moths.

Store your coats and jackets with all zippers zipped, and buttons and snaps secured to help maintain their original shape. Breathable fabric garment bags and plastic bins are ideal for keeping them ready for next year when cold rolls around.