A cashmere or wool coat is not just a simple garment — it is a seasonal companion, a piece that endures through the years when properly cared for. Here is how to preserve its beauty, season after season.
1. Daily airing, the gesture that changes everything
Cashmere and wool are naturally self-cleaning fibres. A simple pass through fresh air after each wear is enough to eliminate light odours and accumulated humidity. Hang your coat on a wide hanger and let it breathe for a few hours — away from direct heat sources.
This simple gesture considerably reduces washing frequency, thereby preserving the fibre's natural suppleness. Cashmere washed too often loses its drape; aired cashmere retains it for years.
2. Brushing, the secret of the workshops
A soft-bristled brush, used in the direction of the nap, removes dust and micro-particles that dull the surface of the fabric. In our workshops, we brush each piece before hanging. For a worsted wool coat, a horsehair brush is ideal; for cashmere, prefer a silk brush.
Brushing also lifts crushed fibres and revives the material's natural lustre. One minute per week is enough.
3. Pilling: do not panic, do not pull
Cashmere that pills is not poor-quality cashmere — it is cashmere that lives. Natural friction (sleeves against the body, a bag worn on the shoulder) releases the shortest fibres, which form these little balls on the surface.
The golden rule: never pull them off. Use a cashmere comb or an electric lint remover, always on the surface, without pressing. After a few cycles of brushing and delicate removal, the cashmere stabilises and pills less and less.
4. Washing: gentleness and patience
A cashmere or wool coat should only be washed two to three times per season — no more. For optimal washing:
Hand washing (recommended)
Fill a basin with lukewarm water — never hot, as heat felts the wool. Add a dab of mild soap, preferably a pH-neutral soap. Immerse the coat, press it gently without wringing or rubbing. Let it soak for fifteen minutes.
Rinse with clear water, still lukewarm, until the soap disappears. Never wring: press the water out between your hands, then roll the coat in a terry towel to absorb the excess.
Drying
Flat, on a flat surface covered with a clean cloth, away from direct sunlight and any heat source. Never hang wet cashmere — it would deform under its own weight. Drying can take 24 to 48 hours. It is long, and it is necessary.
5. Seasonal storage
When the warm season returns, store your coat with the same care you give it in winter. A few simple rules:
- Clean it before storing — body residues attract moths.
- Use a cotton garment bag, never plastic. Cashmere needs to breathe, even at rest.
- Slip in a lavender sachet or a block of cedar — a natural moth repellent, without chemical aggression.
- Store flat or on a padded hanger, in a dry and airy place.
Avoid mothballs, too aggressive for natural fibres. Lavender and cedar do the same job, gently.
6. When to entrust your coat to a professional
For stubborn stains or a deep clean, a quality dry cleaner specialising in noble fibres is the best option. Always specify that it is cashmere or virgin wool — the solvents and temperatures are not the same as for conventional textiles.
A professional cleaning once a year, at the end of the season, is more than sufficient. In between, airing, brushing, and occasional hand washing keep the piece in perfect condition.
The art of making things last
Caring for a cashmere or wool coat is to honour the work of the hands that crafted it. In our workshops, each piece is the fruit of an exacting standard handed down since 1918 — a heritage that deserves to be preserved, season after season.
Discover our coat collection and our exceptional jackets, crafted in the purest tradition of the Coulange workshops.
For any questions about caring for your Coulange piece, our team is here to help.