Never store a winter coat dirty. Body oils, food spots, and road salt left on a coat all winter — or all summer in storage — set, fade fabric, and attract pests. Clean your coats at the end of the season, before they go away, and again is not needed in the fall if they were stored clean.
Why end-of-season cleaning matters most
Most coat damage is invisible in March: collar and cuff oils, de-icing salt splash at the hem, and small food spots. Months in a closet give those time to oxidize and weaken fibers. A coat cleaned before storage comes out ready to wear on the first cold morning; a coat stored dirty comes out needing work — sometimes work that can no longer fully undo the stain.
Wool, down, and leather are three different jobs
- Wool coats: Dry clean to protect structure, lining, and finish; check for moth risk before storage.
- Down coats and parkas: Need cleaning that preserves loft; home washing often clumps fill if dried wrong.
- Leather coats: Professional leather care only — never a home washer — with conditioning to keep the hide supple.
Storing them right
Store coats clean, fully dry, on wide hangers that support the shoulders, in breathable garment bags — not sealed plastic. Keep them in a cool, dry closet inside the house, not a hot attic or damp garage. Fasten buttons and zips so the coat keeps its shape.
The easy way: we come to you
WaterStone offers free pickup and delivery twice a week across Owasso, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Jenks, and Bixby, and anywhere in the Tulsa metro. Send the whole family’s coats out in one bag. Sign up at https://waterstonecleaners.smrtapp.com/custx/ or call 918-272-2424.