When fall rolls around and the weather starts cooling off, you know it’s time to either stock up on new winter apparel or refresh the ones you already have. Knowing the best way to clean your winter coats and jackets is especially important since some of them have been sitting in your closet for months. The only problem is that sometimes it’s not as simple as throwing something into the wash or dusting it off.
With that in mind, I reached out to the laundry experts to learn how to properly clean coats and jackets, without ruining them or jeopardizing the look and feel of the material. Below, I explain the methods they recommend for cleaning your winter garments.
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The best products for cleaning coats and jackets
All of the products below are either direct recommendations from our experts or editors and/or have at least a 4-star average rating from 500 reviews or more on Amazon.
This fabric spray not only gets rid of bacteria trapped in clothing, but it also helps get rid of odors. It leaves your coats and other garments sanitized and smelling fresh, without having to throw them in the wash. Aside from clothing, you can use it on bedding, towels and more, according to the brand.
Lysol’s Free & Clear laundry sanitizing detergent is ideal for those who want to throw their coats and jackets in the wash but only with a gentle option that won’t ruin the texture. Since it’s a sanitizer, it gets rid of bacteria on clothing while also refreshing them. It’s free of fragrances, dyes and bleach, according to the brand. Plus, it’s suitable for cold water, which is best for washing coats and jackets, according to experts.
If you prefer to use a more sustainable option like laundry detergent sheets, these popular ones from Earth Breeze can help clean and refresh your coats without any parabens, dyes or preservatives. The hypoallergenic sheets dissolve in the wash with your clothes, even in cold water. They help get rid of stains and odors while also preventing clothes from fading, according to the brand.
Laundry boosters give you detergent extra help when it comes to clearing stains and odors from your coats and jackets. This free and clear powder helps maintain their vibrancy and removes yellow stains from sweat. It’s free of surfactants, dyes and fragrances, and it works in cold water, according to the brand.
Rinse & Refresh is Downy’s lineup of fabric rinses, which help get rid of odors and stains more thoroughly. It can replace fabric softener and works with your detergent to help get your coats and other garments clean. This free and clear option is free of fragrances and dyes and is also safe for sensitive skin, according to the brand. You can use it on all fabric types and is safe to use on activewear, towels and more.
How to clean coats and jackets
Before simply adding your coat to a washer, it’s best to always take the care instructions on the label seriously, according to Frej Lewenhaupt, co-founder and chief product officer of Steamery. “Since winter jackets vary in size and material, I recommend checking the care label to see if it can be washed and dried with your machine,” he says. “Many modern washing machines have wool or delicate cycles that are gentle enough, but you still want to use cold water and a mild detergent.”
If the label says it’s safe to add to the wash, then the most important thing is to avoid heat at all costs, including both water and dryer heat, according to Lewenhaupt. This is because “it can cause shrinkage and degrade the waterproof coating. If you’re unsure, it’s best to handwash and lay the jacket flat to dry,” he says. With that said, different materials require various methods for cleaning and some should not be washed in a machine or by hand, but instead brought to a professional dry cleaner.
How to clean a wool coat
- Due to its sensitivity, Toni Magnotta, a laundry expert at Chappaqua Cleaners & Tailors, recommends dry cleaning coats made from 100% wool, especially if you’re ever unsure about how to clean it.
- With that said, some wool coats are labeled as machine washable. In this case, it’s best to use a mild detergent (often labeled “free & clear”), cold water and the lowest heat setting, according to Lewenhauopt. Additionally, some machines have a wool or sensitive setting, which Lewenhaupt recommends using for a wool coat.
- It’s also important to know that wool has natural antibacterial properties, according to textile experts I’ve spoken to in the past. So wool coats don’t really have to be cleaned that often, unless they are especially smelly or soiled.
How to clean down and fleece coats
- To clean your down or fleece coat by hand, use a fabric freshener, such as Tide Antibacterial Fabric Spray, which kills bacteria but also gets rid of odors. Lewenhaupt also recommends using a spray in between washes since washing too often can alter the texture of fleece and wool, and it can deteriorate the feathers of a down jacket and cause it to lose its loft and insulation.
- If the care instructions for your down or fleece coat say it’s safe to throw in the washing machine (and you haven’t machine washed it for at least a few months), then add to the wash with cold water and use a sensitive detergent like Lysol Free & Clear Laundry Sanitizer. If the jacket is especially dirty or odorous, use a laundry booster like Downy Rinse & Refresh Free & Gentle Laundry Odor Remove.
How to clean denim jackets
- To clean denim jackets, Lewenhaupt recommends either hand washing them or machine washing them on a gentle cycle, since it’s prone to fading. “Turning your jacket inside out before washing is a great way to protect the outer surface and preserve the color,” he says. “I recommend using a mild, color-safe detergent and to check for and pre-treat stains before washing to make the removal process easier.” Lewnehaupt also recommends air drying your denim jacket as opposed to machine drying it to prevent shrinking.”As a natural fabric, denim benefits from being aired out and can be quickly refreshed with a steamer to go longer between washes,” he says.
How to clean leather and suede coats and jackets
- Due to the sensitive nature of leather and suede materials, Lewnehaupt recommends never putting coats and jackets made from them in a washer or dryer to avoid ruining the materials. Instead, “a damp cloth is usually enough to wipe away light dirt and then you can use a leather conditioner to keep the material from drying out or cracking,” he says. “When cleaning suede, use a soft suede brush to lift away dirt and spot-treat any stains with a suede cleaner and avoid applying water directly.” You can also use a specialized leather or suede cleaner.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Frej Lewenhaupt is the co-founder and chief product officer of Steamery.
- Toni Magnotta is a laundry expert at Chappaqua Cleaners & Tailors.
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m a commerce editor at NBC Select where I write about cleaning trends, appliances, how-tos and more. I spoke with multiple cleaning experts for their recommendations and advice for this story.
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