How to Maintain Your Coats and Jackets
142011
It’s winter, and that means coat season. It’s time to pull out the heavy outerwear that’s been sitting in the closet since March and make sure it’s clean and ready to wear. But caring for coats and jackets isn’t the same as caring for your regular clothes, so here are a few tips for keeping these important garments healthy.
Down jackets: A good down jacket is one of the warmest things you can buy, and, if properly taken care of, it’s highly durable. However, down jackets are fragile when being washed, so your best bet is to take down to the dry cleaners. If you would like to wash down jackets at home, use a machine without a center spindle to decrease the abrasiveness of the wash. Set the wash to a gentler cycle, and wash once without detergent, then once using a down detergent. To dry, let the water drip out and then press gently with a towel. You can throw it in the dryer afterward, but make sure to keep the heat low and fluff the down periodically.
Trench coats: Though it’s not quite as warm as the down jacket, trench coats are excellent protection from precipitation, and they’re stylish, too. Also, if well maintained, they’re incredibly durable. With trench coats, only hand wash in cold water, and dry clean for anything beyond just casual, minor cleaning.
Wool coats: As with trench coats, a well maintained wool coat will last you years. Use a suede brush to remove lint and dirt, and hang the coat when not being used—don’t just throw it on a chair. In the case of any liquid or substances getting on the coat, blot—don’t rub—the liquid, and make sure to dry clean if the stain is bad. Never machine wash a wool coat—they’re dry clean only.
Fur coats: Fur coats are incredibly fragile, and should be stored at a furrier’s over the summer. In terms of day-to-day care, never store in plastic—use a loose-fitting garment bag that’s open at the bottom—and handle delicately. Keep away from the heat and sun as well as moisture, including perfume or anything else that might get on the coat. Don’t sit on the fur, and take the coat to a fur specialist for cleaning and more elaborate care.
Like with any expensive or important piece of clothing, take care in maintaining your outerwear, and when in doubt, bring it to the pros. Take your coats (except for fur) to Crest or the local dry cleaners as needed to make sure it keeps you warm for years to come.
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