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6 min readI ALMOST NEVER think about washing my winter coat. Unless I dump coffee down the front of it or spill half my post-workout smoothie on it, that thing just hangs in my closet from November to March. I wear it daily and convince myself the cold air is doing the Lord’s laundering. It basically becomes my Carmy kitchen coat in The Bear—run it hard all season, no laundry breaks, deal with the damage later.
If I’m being honest, my “coat cleaning routine” usually consists of shaking it off after getting caught in snow, hanging it back up in the closet, and calling it a day. In my head that counted as maintenance. Here’s the problem: winter coats absolutely need to be washed. Maybe not every week, but definitely more often than never. Between sweat, body oils, city grime, car exhaust, food smells, and whatever mystery substances I brushed up against on the subway, my coat is collecting a season’s worth of filth. Over time, that buildup can change the look and feel of your outerwear.
This is true for heavy wool and for softer materials like cashmere and alpaca, according to Alan Horowitz, Owner of bespoke tailor brand, Alan David Custom. “When these fibers stay dirty for too long they lose their natural softness and they start to weaken,” he says. “Cleaning the coat keeps the fibers healthy and helps the coat hold its shape.” The good news: washing your coat is less of a hassle than you’d think. You just need to know what kind of coat you’re dealing with and a few basic roles to follow. Below, I break down exactly how to wash your winter coats the right way before you store them until next season.
Step One: Read the Label
I know nobody likes care labels, but this is the one time it’s a must. That little tag tells you:
- If the coat can go in the washing machine
- What water temperature to use
- Whether the dryer is your friend or your enemy
For coats that can’t be machine washed, follow the care instructions carefully. Procter & Gamble’s Fabric Care Scientist, Kim Romine shares the proper hand-washing method:
“To hand wash, fill a basin with lukewarm water and add the recommended amount of liquid detergent, such as Tide,” Romine explains. Swish the water around to evenly distribute the detergent, then fully submerge the coat and let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes so the soap can break down built-up dirt and oils. Afterward, rinse thoroughly with clean water, avoiding any twisting or wringing, and lay it flat on a towel to dry.
For small stains, Romine recommends:
For spot cleaning, dab a small amount of liquid detergent onto a damp cloth. Before going in on the stain, test the detergent on a hidden part of the coat to make sure it won’t affect the color. Lightly work over the stained area until it lifts, then wipe the area clean with a fresh damp cloth to remove any leftover soap.
If the tag says “dry clean only,” don’t ignore it and hope for the best. Puffer jackets, down parkas, and wool coats all require different care. And some pieces—like leather jackets, shearling, and suede—shouldn’t be washed at home. Take them to a professional.
How to Wash a Puffer Jacket (Down or Synthetic)
Puffers look delicate, but most are totally washable. Here’s the best way to go about cleaning them.
Zip everything up and empty the pockets. Turn the jacket inside out. Use cold water and a gentle cycle. Use a small amount of mild detergent and avoid fabric softener. Run an extra rinse cycle if you can (detergent residue kills loft).
Drying is crucial. Tumble dry on low heat. Throw in two or three clean tennis balls or dryer balls. These help restore its loft and break up clumps so your jacket doesn’t come out looking like a sad, deflated pillow. Some puffers can take awhile to fully dry, so just be patient.
Tide Laundry Detergent Liquid
Dirty Labs 100% New Zealand Wool Dryer Balls
OxiClean Odor Blasters Odor and Stain Remover
How to Wash a Parka or Heavy Winter Coat
Most parkas—especially ones with synthetic insulation—can be machine washed. However, because they’re built with technical fabrics, insulation, and protective coatings that don’t respond well to hot water, heavy-duty detergents, bleach, aggressive scrubbing, and high-heat drying.
Before washing, remove any faux fur trim (it usually snaps or buttons off) because the fibers can mat, tangle, or lose their fluff, and the backing can stiffen or warp. Cold water and a gentle cycle prevent the outer shell from warping and keep the insulation from clumping or breaking down, which helps the coat retain its warmth and shape.
Romine notes standard laundry detergent is typically fine for parkas and puffers—as long as the care label says the coat is machine washable. A quality detergent will clean effectively without compromising insulation, technical fabrics, or protective finishes. When drying, use low heat or air dry, depending on the tag. Make sure it’s fully dry before wearing or storing it, or you risk mildew.
How to Wash a Wool Coat
Wool coats are trickier. Most shouldn’t go in the washing machine unless the label explicitly says they can. Washing wool or cashmere at home the same way you would a puffer tends to be a common mistake guys make, according to Horowitz.
Wash natural-fiber coats the wrong way and you risk ruining the structure—the shoulders can lose their shape and the fabric can turn stiff instead of soft. Another common mistake is letting small stains sit. Materials like cashmere and camel hair absorb oils quickly, and once those stains set, they’re tough to reverse.
While Horowitz does encourage that coats made from natural fibers like wool, cashmere, camel hair, and alpaca should always go to a professional cleaner, you don’t have to take several trips there.
“Once or twice a season is usually enough unless something spills on the coat,” says Horowitz. Natural fibers tend to hold up better when they aren’t over-cleaned. One or two professional cleanings per season is usually enough. What does matter is giving the coat a proper end-of-season clean so it goes into storage free of body oils and grime—both of which can attract moths.
Other options: spot clean small stains with cold water and mild soap, or use a steamer to remove odors and freshen it up.
Coat Care Cheat Sheet
Your winter coat is the most-used piece of outerwear you own. You wear it to the gym, to work, out to dinner, out for dinners, in the snow, on the subway—sometimes all on the same day.
To lengthen its lifespan, wash it every season if you wear it regularly. Wash it mid-season if you sweat a lot and commute daily and spot clean, if you spill coffee or chili on it.
Pro Tips for Dry Cleaning
When you do take a coat to the dry cleaner, a few small habits go a long way:
- Highlight stains when you drop it off. I always point everywhere there’s a blemish and the professional will put tape in that specific spot so it gets treated faster and more effectively.
- Ask about specialized coatings—some water-repellent or down-filled coats need specific care.
- Zip, button, and turn the coat inside out to protect hardware (zippers) and lining.
- Limit dry cleaning to 1-2 times per season to avoid unnecessary wear. While taking it to the cleaners is effective, it can be kind of harsh on fabrics if you do it too often.
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Christian is the Style and Reviews Director at Men's Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping and style content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.
