Wool Coat Care Guide

How to Clean, Store, and Preserve Your Wool Coat

Wool coats are a long-term wardrobe investment. A well-made wool coat can be one of the most enduring pieces in your wardrobe... warm, breathable, and timeless. When  properly cared for, wool coat should last for 10-20 years.

Wool has natural anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties that help keep the fabric clean naturally. However, a great coat should never be neglected. We've outlined a few simple tips on how to clean, refresh, store, and protect your wool coat so it stays beautiful winter after winter.

Why Wool

Wool is a natural fiber with remarkable performance properties:

  • Temperature regulation: warm in cold weather, breathable in changing conditions

  • Moisture management: moves vapor away from the body

  • Durability: strong and resilient when cared for properly

A true 100% wool coat offers clear advantages in warmth, breathability, and longevity. While the upfront cost is often higher, the long-term value is significantly better when compared to coats made primarily from synthetic blends.

American Woolen
photo courtesy of American Woolen

Routine Maintenance: How to get the most out of your Wool Coat

1. Brush with a Wool Brush

This is a classic, often-overlooked habit that can extend the life of your wool dramatically. Brushing your coat every few wears help...

  • Remove surface dirt
  • Realign fibers before they tangle into pills

2. Spot Clean

For everyday marks and surface dirt you can read more on our guide on, How to Spot Clean your Wool Coat

  • Use a soft cloth

  • Gently dab (don’t rub) stains

3. Steam to Refresh

Steaming is an excellent way to improve the overall health of your coat because it:

  • Removes wrinkles

  • Reduces pilling

Steam in short bursts from ~6–8 inches away; avoid direct contact with high heat.

4. Dry Clean Only When Necessary (and before storing)

Professional dry cleaning is the most reliable way to clean a wool coat, but it’s not needed every time you wear it.

Rule of thumb:

  • Dry clean at the end of season
  • If the coat has visible stains
  • If it smells or looks worn

Too frequent dry cleaning can strip natural oils; twice per season is typically enough.

How to Care for a Wool Coat

 

Removing Wrinkles & Minor Odors (at home)

How to get wrinkles out of your coat

  • Hang your coat in a steamy bathroom

  • Use a handheld steamer

  • Hang on a wide hanger after steaming to help gravity relax the fibers

Quick Deodorizing

  • Air the coat on a porch or well–ventilated space

  • Lightly mist vodka + water (50/50) then air dry — test an inside seam first


Store a Wool Coat

How to Store your Coat (Seasonally and Long-Term) 

Best Practices

  • Store a coat that is freshly dry cleaned and unwrinkled

  • Use a wide, supportive hanger

  • Store in a garment bag 

  • Add pheromone trap to deter moths

  • Avoid cramped closets

Proper storage protects from moths, dust, and time compression.

Can You Wash a Wool Coat at Home?

Washing a wool coat in water (machine or hand) is not recommended unless:

  • The coat specifically states it’s washable

  • You know the fiber content and weave is robust

  • You plan to properly reshape and air dry

  • The coat is unlined

Improper washing can lead to:

  • Shrinkage (different material components/ linings can shrink at different rates.)

  • Warping of shoulders or lapels

  • Loss of structure

If in doubt, choose professional care. 

You can read more about Wool and Water in our guide on: Are Wool Coats Waterproof?

FAQ — Wool Coat Care

Do I need to dry clean my wool coat every season?
Yes, make sure your coat is cleaned and properly stored at the end of the season so that you can best prevent damage over the summer months.

Can I steam instead of dry cleaning?
For everyday wear, steaming and brushing can reduce wrinkles and pilling while refreshing your wool coat and avoiding a trip to the dry cleaners.

How do I get smell out of a wool coat?
Air the coat in a ventilated space, Spray affected areas with a spray bottle mix of vodka + water (50/50 mix)

Will water ruin a wool coat?
No — wool tolerates light moisture well. But saturated wool should be dried properly to prevent damage.

How should I store my wool coat?
CLEAN - On a wide hanger in a garment bag, with room around it (not squished), with moth deterrents nearby.

Long Black Wool Trench

Looking for a wool coat built to last?

Explore our collection of 100% Wool Coats