Coat Care - Tip of the Month

Are cold and snow wearing down your favorite winter wear? It’s easy to beat the winter elements. The most important advice in coat care is to always follow cleaning instructions on the label. Please bring your coat to one of our locations for expert care. Whether your coat is long or short, leather, suede, shearling, wool or fur, it is in good hands with our expert cleaners.

Never leave your coat in a car or trunk on a hot day - especially if it is wet. The combination of getting wet, being crumpled and exposure to excessive heat generally results in shrinkage, loss of shape and a musty smell. Even the best cleaner or restorer will have a tough time bringing it “back to life.”

Refrain from excessive use of shoulder straps. Beware of bulky pocketbooks when wearing fur, shearling or leather coats, as they contribute to premature wear or a “scraped” look on shoulders.

Follow care instructions on the label. Some coats, such as Durapel, come with “dry clean only” instructions, so this is the best option. If the tag recommends hand washing, we can take care of this as well.

Protect your coat from the elements. Harsh winter elements, such as salt, dust, dirt and other destructive agents must be gently removed from any coat. Our processes will help preserve them, extending their life span and assuring you years of enjoyment. Also ask us to apply a protective water repellent to your raincoats and ski jackets.

Fur:

If your fur coat gets wet, shake it off and let it dry naturally. Heat causes leather and fur to dry out. If your fur item is drenched, try blotting from the inside (not the fur side) with clean white towels. Be careful not to rub or scrunch the lining or the fur in the process.

Don’t use moth or cedar balls near a fur coat. Their smell often adheres to fur and creates unpleasant odors that are difficult to remove.

Fur coats need extra special care. Fur, leather and other fine outerwear will provide you with years of enjoyment when they are professionally conditioned and stored. Glazing is a process that replenishes essential oils necessary to maintain a coat’s longevity.

Suede & Leather:

Suede and leather can be hard to clean. It is advised that you have suede cleaned professionally at least every two years. However there are a few steps you can take if the light soil is not too bad:

Rub suede with a clean dry towel – always rub suede in one direction.

Remove the stains or marks by gently rubbing them with a pencil eraser.

Brush your suede with a suede brush, which has soft bristles with wire inserts (most stores sell this in the shoe area for suede shoes).

Schedule the proper annual care for your coat, such as cleaning, conditioning, tightening of buttons and mending small tears, including those in the pockets or lining. Oftentimes, delaying a repair can lead to larger tears that are more difficult, if not impossible, to repair. For coat buying and storage tips, go to our Coat Buying 101 or Coat Storage Tips page.

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