When the days begin to shorten and that chill in the air becomes more persistent, it means the time has come to pull our cold weather coats and jackets out of the closet and put them back into active duty. Unfortunately, if we neglected to store our outer wear properly last season, chances are it may not be in the best shape. But never fear—with a little care, your coats and jackets will be as good as new.
Prepping your outer wear for immediate use:
- Examine it. Your coat or jacket may look clean, but looks can be deceiving! There may be small or light-colored stains that have escaped your attention, and if you did not clean your garment prior to storing it, it may have an unpleasant musty smell.
- Treat it. If your garment is machine-washable, be sure to pre-treat any stains that you notice. A variety of stain removers are available; just remember to be gentle when treating stains.
- Clean it. Refer to the label on your garment and follow the indicated cleaning instructions. If your coat or jacket can be washed in the machine, be sure to use the appropriate setting, as well as the right quantity of laundry soap (adding extra soap will not make your garment extra clean!).
- Dry it. Even if your coat or jacket can be machine-washed, you should avoid the risk of tumble-drying it and instead hang it out to dry. Your garment (and your budget) will be all the better for it!
Once you’ve followed the above steps, you’ll be all set to get the most enjoyment out of your warm (and clean) winterwear. Remember to keep your garment looking its best throughout the colder months by periodically checking for stains, removing any lint or debris with a lint roller or damp cloth, and, if necessary, giving it a full cleaning. Once warmer days return, simply follow the guidelines below to ensure optimal storage of your garment until it’s needed again!
Storing your coats and jackets during warm weather:
- Clean and dry again. Follow the above-mentioned steps to ensure that your coats and jackets are in the best possible shape prior to storage. Take care not to store your garments until they are fully dry.
- Use fabric rather than plastic protection. Your coats and jackets will need to “breathe” during their storage time. Fabric storage bags allow air to circulate, and should be preferred over plastic ones.
- Choose the right storage position. Keep in mind that some coats are best stored hanging, while others are better off folded in order to maintain their attractive shape (leather jackets, for example).
For more tips on how to care for your favorite clothes, visit our special fabrics section.