How to Wash a Winter Coat

When the weather turns, you head to the closet, only to find your winter coat looking the worse for wear and perhaps even smelling a bit musty.

The instinct is to wash it. However, not all winter coats are equal, so how you treat a coat depends on its material—not forgetting the lining.

This article takes an in-depth look at how to wash different winter coats and how to store them.

Can You Put a Winter Coat in the Washing Machine?

It would be nice and easy to pop your winter coat into the washing machine, but whether you should all depends on the fabric it's made from. Always let the care label be your guide.

Some coats are dry-clean only, but others can be laundered in the washer. If you can wash the coat at home, follow the garment label instructions to the letter.

Remember to factor in the lining when washing your winter coat. It's easy to overlook, and some linings are not machine washable even if the coat is.

Different Coat Types and How to Wash Them

Wool Coats

Wool is a natural fiber derived from the coats of goats or sheep. Most pure wool coats are recommended for professional dry cleaning only. You may not know that your garment will also have interfacings used during manufacture.

Interfacings provide the shape and style of the coat and are generally not machine washable. They'll go out of shape or, worse, dissolve in the washer. The lining may also not be machine washable.

Always check the label, as some wool coats, while mostly wool, often have a small percentage of another fabric in the mix, so you can put them in the washer. Choose the wool program on your washer with a cool temperature and low spin.

However, if all you want to do is freshen the coat up or spot clean it, you can buy a home dry cleaning kit. Always air dry the coat lying flat.

Down Coats

Down is the soft feathers that birds grow beneath their stiffer exterior plumage. Down doesn't have a quill and provides exceptional warmth with very little weight.

In the USA, a product labelled 'down' must have a minimum of 75% down cluster, and the actual down percentage must appear on the coat label.

The trick to preserving the feel and warmth of your down winter coat is looking after the insulation. If you get it wrong, the down will form clumps, and the coat will never be as warm again. Plus, it won’t recover its shape.

Down is only the filler for your coat; the exterior will be another fabric listed on the label. These are usually machine washable. Down requires a specific detergent, but you can also use laundry detergent sheets.

Our detergent sheets are free from toxic ingredients like optical brighteners, parabens, phosphates, dyes, and 1,4-dioxane and will gently clean down coats. They’re designed to clean your clothes without the need for added brighteners or dyes.

Dry the coat on a hanger in a well-ventilated area.

Fleece Jackets and Coats

Fleece is so-called because it mimics natural wool, but it's a lightweight synthetic material primarily made from polyester. It's as warm as wool but easier to care for.

Fleece is popular for active winter wear and outdoor sports like skiing because it can wick away perspiration and sweat, keeping you warm and dry as your body temperature changes.

However, fleece acts like a magnet for tiny pieces of hair and detritus in your machine, so it's best washed on its own. Double check pockets for tissues and papers that disintegrate in the water and stick all over the coat or jacket in little bobbles. It's always worth turning fleece inside out to protect the exterior surface further.

Wash in warm or cold water, depending on the care label instructions. Some machines have a permanent-press cycle with a cold rinse and low spin speed, which prevents the fleece from overly creasing or wrinkling.

Air dry the coat for best results. If you're in a hurry, you can tumble dry for 15 to 20 minutes on a low setting to save time.

Faux Fur Coats

Faux fur coats are easy on one level, as faux fur is a synthetic fiber almost always machine washable. However, the coat's lining may not be, and there may be other elements you can't see, so always read the care label.

It’s best to err on the side of caution and hand wash—and never use a dryer. Even low heat can melt the synthetic fibers, causing them to mat irreversibly, permanently damaging the coat.

If you have a synthetic coat with faux fur trim, it's always best to hand wash it. You'll need a large container or even use the bath.

A good option is detergent sheets, which perform well in handwashing and at low temperatures. They dissolve in seconds, even in cold water.

Submerge the coat in the water and gently move it around for 10 to 15 minutes. Carefully lift it from the water, change the water, and rinse the coat. You may need to change the water several times until no suds remain.

Gently press excess water from the coat; don't wring it out. Roll the coat in a large clean towel to remove excess moisture.

You can dry a faux fur coat flat or hang it—you might even want to alternate. If you hang the coat, use a padded hanger to help it keep its shape. The shower is a good place to hang a wet faux fur coat. Allow about 48 hours for it to dry completely.

If you want to dry flat, you'll need a large rack in a well-ventilated location. To mop up any drips, you may need to put towels underneath and around the rack on the floor.

Resist the temptation to put the coat outside in direct sunlight or adjacent to any heat. Allow it to dry naturally; otherwise, the fibers will not resume their previous look.

Fluff the fibers using a soft-bristled brush when the coat is completely dry.

Natural Fur

Real fur requires specialist and professional cleaning, either a dry cleaning company with the appropriate expertise or a furrier. Many furriers offer this service and can also advise you on how best to store your coat during the year.

Polyester Coats and Jackets

You can brighten tired polyester fabrics by soaking them overnight in tepid water with a laundry detergent sheet. You should be able to launder the coat in your machine, but always follow the care label's instructions.

Freddie laundry detergent sheets in the washer will clean without added dyes, parabens, or optical brighteners, thus protecting the fabric. They also won't leave a residue, which is a problem with some laundry detergents that dull polyester fibers and color.

Tumble dry on a low heat in line with the care label, or leave to air dry.

Gore-Tex

Gore-Tex is a breathable, waterproof fabric membrane invented in 1969 and patented shortly after. It blocks water whilst allowing vapor and moisture to escape.

Gore-Tex is usually machine washable in warm water, but the label will give you precise instructions; the lining of your coat may not be suitable for the washer.

Gore-Tex responds well to less detergent, so laundry sheets are ideal. You can tear them to reduce the dose. Avoid powder detergents, chlorine bleach, or fabric softener.

Tumble dry on a warm cycle or line dry, avoiding high temperatures. When dry, reactivate the durable water repellent (DWR) using a 20-minute program in the dryer, or iron on a low heat using a towel to protect the fabric.

Waterproof Winter Coats

Waterproof coats are typically good candidates for the washing machine. However, they can be surprisingly delicate, as they have a special finish that creates the waterproofing.

Consequently, only wash waterproof coats in cool water with a gentle detergent; laundry sheets are ideal as they'll shift general dirt and stains without harming the finish. You can spot-treat any stains first. Use a slow spin speed to reduce wrinkling.

Always air dry and avoid the tumble dryer. Hang the coat, and any residual creases will fall out as the garment dries.

How to Wash Your Winter Jacket: 7 Tips

• Always read the care label and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• Go through the pockets—who knows what you may find from last winter! If the coat has zippers, ensure these are done up before you launder.
• Use a mesh laundry bag to prevent zips and buttons from snagging on the drum. A clean white pillowcase will also do the job, but make sure you tie the top closed.
• Always wash the coat on its own. It's worth doing a service wash beforehand to check the machine is completely clear of detergent residue, hair, and lint.
• How you dry the coat is just as important. Air dry or dry flat unless the care label states you can use a dryer. Dry lying flat on clean towels, which you'll need to change as they absorb moisture. Some winter coats, like down, are better for hanging (always use a padded hanger), but others may stretch and lose their shape.
• You can spot clean minor stains and marks yourself, even if the coat is dry clean only. That said, always use a professional home dry cleaning kit and patch test first on a hidden area.
• Use dryer balls instead of fabric softening sheets or commercial liquid fabric softeners. They keep the exterior of some coats, such as wool and fleece, and down fillings, soft and fluffy, reduce static, and shorten drying times.

Should Winter Coats Be Washed Inside Out?

Yes, this protects the exterior from fading and picking up tiny pieces of fluff or hair from the machine drum. With fleece, turning the coat inside out will help keep it smooth and fluffy and prevent bobbling, which is also a problem with wool.

Can I Tumble Dry My Winter Jacket?

Whether you can tumble dry your winter jacket depends on the materials and insulation inside. The care label will advise whether you can tumble dry your jacket and at what temperature.

How To Properly Store Your Winter Coat

At the end of the cold months, don't just discard your winter coat to the back of the closet; take care to store it properly.

To avoid wasting precious hanging space, loosely fold and stack winter coats in a plastic bin. Keep the bin in a cool, dry location. If space is an issue, store synthetic coats in vacuum-sealed bags to reduce the bulk.

Always use a wooden hanger if you hang wool coats to allow them to breathe. Treat the space with moth repellents, lavender, or cedar balls to deter pests. You can also buy breathable bags that offer protection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Wash My Snow Jacket in the Washing Machine?

Snow jackets are made from a mix of advanced technical fabrics that should never be washed using regular detergent or fabric softener. The chemicals in these products degrade the coat's fibers, essentially making it non-waterproof. Hand or machine wash using laundry detergent sheets and following the care label.

How To Clean a Smelly Winter Coat?

Use an equal mix of water and distilled white vinegar in a plant spray bottle and lightly mist over the coat. Hang the coat in a well-ventilated room and allow it to dry completely. If the smell remains, wash the coat following the care label's instructions.

Why Does My Winter Jacket Smell After Washing?

If the coat has retained some residual moisture over the last few months, it may have been slightly damp when you last put it away, which could have made it a bit moldy. Either that or your machine needs a service wash. You'll need to wash or clean it again.

Final Thoughts

How to best care for your winter coat depends entirely on its material, including the lining. Our laundry detergent sheets are suitable for all fabrics and designed to clean gently at all temperatures. We’re committed to providing strong cleaning performance while minimizing harsh ingredients, giving you more convenience and less stress on laundry day.