Caring for a Shearling Coat

Shearling coats are one of the warmest materials used in jackets. Not only are they warm, but everyone looks great in a shearling coat. Unfortunately, they aren’t cheap and with their price tag you definitely will want your coat to last as long as possible. There are several rules one must follow in order to keep your shearling coat looking as good as new for years to come. In this guide, I’ll share these simple rules to prevent any damage to your shearling coat.

Rule #1 in my book is never put your shearling through a washing machine or a dryer. Either professionally dry-clean it (you can do this yourself if you know how) and always air-dry your shearling coat. A machine and dryer cycle can easily ruin your coat.

The next rule can be tough to follow. I always recommend frequent cleanings of your jacket. Of course this depends on how often you wear the jacket, but shearlings pick up dirt very easily. Without frequent cleanings, the dirt gets settled into the shearling and it can become tough to remove. With frequent cleanings, you can easily avoid this problem and keep your shearling jacket looking new for a very long time!

Winter goes hand in hand with fires and heating. Any source of high heat, especially an open fire can easily destroy your shearling and the leather. Never place your jacket near the fire or near any heating system.

Keeping the color of your shearling coat is extremely important. These coats tend to loose color easily and the most common cause is the sun. With that said, never let your shearling jacket sit in the sun for long periods of time. If you’re coat rack is in front of a window, do not leave your shearling on this rack. In a matter of a few weeks, your jackets color can fade.

Many people think it’s a wise idea to store your shearling coat in a plastic garment bag. This is a very bad idea as the shearling needs to breathe. Plastic will trap the moisture which can damage the coat. Always use a cloth garment bag and make sure it allows air to flow.

Shearling coats deserve space in the closet! Make sure the coat has some room and isn’t just cramped into the closet. It should always hang in its natural form and never in any sort of contorted way. The hangar you use should always be stout as well and never hang your coat on anything round, like a door knob.

By following this short list of rules, your shearling will look beautiful for years to come. It’s easy to forget some of these rules, but considering the investment you’re making in your shearling coat, it’s definitely worth following!

Read more on shearling coats and even on caring for a faux shearling coat check out this authors blog at shearlingcoats.org.