How to wash winter coats

Whether you've got a mud-loving dog or a child who loves jumping into puddles, winter coats pick up marks and stains all too easily. 

So what's the best way to clean them, especially when dealing with tricky materials like down coats, wool and fur?

Follow these tips to keep your outerwear looking fresh throughout the chilly months, and check out our advice on how to store them so they'll last for years.

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Can I wash my coat in the washing machine?

Not all coats are machine-washable, but you might be surprised to hear that most are. The care label on your coat or jacket will indicate whether or not it's safe to pop it in the washing machine.

If you see a bucket of water with a hand over it, that means handwash only. If there's a bucket of water with a cross through it, then the item is dry-clean only and getting it wet could ruin it completely. 

As a general rule, most coats will survive at least one machine wash, but if the tag advises otherwise then it's always best to follow the instructions. 

Can I wash my wool coat in the washing machine?

You'd be forgiven for thinking wool coats and washing machines are completely incompatible, but that isn't entirely the case – it all boils down to the care instructions on each individual garment.

If the label states it's machine washable, follow our instructions below for the best results. Low temperatures and gentle cycles will help your clothes last longer.

Can I wash my down coat in the washing machine?

As with wool garments, you need to check the label on your down coat before throwing it into the washing machine. The majority will be compatible with a cool, delicates cycle.

If your down coat has any fur elements, like a hood trim, these will need to be removed and handwashed or dry cleaned separately.

Read washing symbols explained to find out exactly what your care label is telling you. And if you need a new washer, discover the best washing machines according to our tests

How to wash a coat in the washing machine

• Use a cooler setting For coats that can go in the machine, select a temperature no higher than 40°C. This will prevent any damage to the fibres.
• Fasten the zip and close the pockets An open zip can hook onto other items and potentially rip them. Empty the pockets too – a stray tissue in the wash is never welcome – and remove any detachable elements like hoods.
• Wash separately Ideally, each of your coats should be washed separately to avoid them getting caught on each other, but if you have a couple that are very similar (the same fabric is best) they can go in together. 
• Wash as 'delicate' All coats should be treated as delicate items, so use your machine's 'delicates' setting if it has one. Otherwise, look for anything titled 'gentle' or 'handwash'. 
• Check your detergent You can use your usual detergent in most cases, but some fabrics (like wool) require a specialist alternative.

Should coats be washed inside out?

As a rule, washing your clothes (including coats) inside out can help to protect them from any damage or fading while they're in the washing machine.

This is more important for some fabrics than others. For example, fleeces should always be washed inside out or you risk ruining the lovely soft exterior.

It's not a dealbreaker for most other coats though, so if you don't remember it won't be the end of the world.

How to dry a coat

A lot of coats can go into the tumble dryer on a low heat, and it's actually beneficial for items like puffer jackets as it can help to evenly redistribute the filling. 

Check out the best tumble dryers to see which models will keep your coats looking their best.

For items like woolens, it's better to air-dry them flat to avoid any stretching.

For further advice on how to keep your kit looking tip-top, read how to wash clothes, towels and bedding

What coats can't go into the washing machine?

If you can't decipher the care label on your coat, or it simply doesn't have one, then here's a list of fabrics that generally do better at the dry cleaners than in a washing machine: 

• anything with sequins or embellishments
• items coated in flammable residue
• fur
• leather
• rayon
• suede
• velvet.

Washing these items in your machine could cause irreparable damage and may also lead to them not functioning correctly (it may remove the safety coating from flame-retardant jackets, for example). 

Rogue embellishments like sequins can also come off and get stuck in your machine too, which could lead to additional problems in the long run.

To find out if you're making any other washing mistakes, read our guide on laundry habits to stop immediately

How to treat stains on coats

Thankfully, tackling stains on coats is much the same as on any other garments – pre-treating is key. The quicker you can get to a stain, the easier it will be to remove too.

Some marks might be easy to wipe away with just a cloth and some soapy water, especially if the coat is waterproof, but for other fabrics (suede or wool, for example) it might be a little trickier.

You can use any kind of stain remover to spot-treat tough stains, unless the care label on your coat advises otherwise, or apply concentrated liquid detergent or washing-up liquid to the stain before washing. 

If you're worried about the effects a stain remover might have, you can always try soaking your coat in a mixture of white vinegar and cold water – just be sure to rinse it thoroughly before adding it to the machine.

Check out our washing machine temperature guide and advice on useful washing machine cycles for further tips on nailing laundry day

How to store coats after winter

Fabrics like wool and leather contain keratin, which can attract moths, so it's important to keep them somewhere you know they won't be eaten – a suit or garment bag made of light cotton is best.

For coats made of synthetic fibres, like puffy jackets or waterproof macs, plastic storage boxes are an option if you have the space. Otherwise, hanging them up in a cool, dry, dark space should do the job well, and add a moisture absorber if you can.

Vacuum bags might sound like a good idea if you're tight on storage space, but these can damage some types of coats by completely changing the shape of them when all of the air is removed. It's not advised to store coats in basements, attics or garages either, as these areas can get cold and damp.

The most important thing is to make sure all of your coats are clean and completely dry before they go into storage. This helps to keep pests at bay and will also ensure they're looking their best when winter rolls around again.

For further tips on dealing with pesky clothes-wreckers, read our guide on how to get rid of clothes moths.