Caring for a Shearling Coat
Shearling jackets are a great way to stay warm and look great. They’re an investment with a hefty price tag, but can last for a very long time if cared for. Shearlings require more attention than most other fabrics, especially during the cleaning stage. Shearling is extremely durable; however it can easily be damaged if not cleaned properly. In this guide, I’ll make share all the tricks in caring for 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.
When you’re hanging your shearling coat, always make sure there’s enough room. You never want to hang it in any contorted way, as this can cause permanent creases in the coat. Let it hang in a natural form and always use a stout hangar. People tend to hang coats on door knobs or other round objects, but I advise against this as well!
There’s nothing too difficult on this list! If you can follow these few simple steps in caring for your shearling coat, you’re jacket will look as good as new for many years to come!
To see more information on shearling coats and even on caring for a faux shearling coat check out this authors blog at shearlingcoats.org.