Shearling Coat Care

 by: Dan Sickafus

Shearling coats and jackets are easy to take care of, although you do have to keep in mind a few things to avoid accidental damage to them. Here's our care guide.

If your shearling jacket gets wet, let the coat dry naturally. Don't place by a fire or other high heat source. Heat can dry out the natural oils in the hides.

Do not wash your shearling coat or jacket in a washing machine or put in a dryer. Most shearling coats are meant to be dry cleaned. When looking for a dry cleaner, make sure that they know how to properly clean a shearling coat. The process must include putting the natural oils back into the hides. Without doing this process, the hides will dry out and the coat will be ruined.

When hanging your Shearling Coat or Jacket use on a sturdy, well shaped coat hangar. Don't use a wire hanger that's going to put "pokies" in the shoulders and don't hang it up on a knob for extended periods of time.

Avoid stain resistant treatments that are made of silicone. We recommend Cavalier brand Protect-All. It will give you a layer of protection without changing the color or finish.

Do not put adhesive stickers on shearling coats or jackets, as part of the adhesive can either get left behind or the adhesive may itself pull off some of the fabric.

Never place a shearling coat or jacket right next to a open fire or other strong heat source, such as a heater. The high heat from a fire or heater can damage a shearling coat or jacket. Also do not store a shearling coat in direct sunlight as it can bleach a shearling coat over time.

When storing shearling coats and jackets, never put them in a plastic garment bag for any sort of extended time because they need to breath. Cloth garment bags are highly recommended for both storage and travel of shearling jackets and coats.

Never leave your coat in a car or trunk for any amount of time on a hot day, especially if it is wet. The combination of water, being crumpled & excessive heat generally results in the coat shrinking, smelling musty and losing its shape. (Even the best cleaner or restorer will have a tough time restoring it.)

You can choose to have your coat stored over the summer but most people tend to keep them at home in a climate controlled room and this seems to work fine. Never put them in the attic or basement for storeage.