A cashmere or wool coat is not just a 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 fibers. A simple airing after each wear is enough to eliminate light odors and accumulated moisture. Hang your coat on a wide hanger and let it breathe for a few hours — away from any direct heat source.
This simple gesture considerably reduces washing frequency, thus preserving the natural suppleness of the fiber. Cashmere washed too often loses its drape; aired cashmere retains it for years.
2. Brushing, the secret of the workshops
A soft-bristle brush, used in the direction of the nap, removes dust and micro-particles that dull the fabric's surface. In our workshops, we brush every piece before placing it on a hanger. For a worsted wool coat, a horsehair brush is ideal; for cashmere, prefer a silk brush.
Brushing also lifts crushed fibers and revives the natural luster of the material. One minute a week is enough.
3. Pilling: don't panic, don't pull
A cashmere that pills is not a poor-quality cashmere — it is a cashmere that lives. Natural friction (sleeves against the body, a bag carried on the shoulder) releases the shortest fibers, which form these small balls on the surface.
The golden rule: never pull them off. Use a cashmere comb or an electric fabric shaver, always on the surface, without pressing. After a few cycles of brushing and gentle removal, the cashmere stabilizes and pills less and less.
4. Washing: gentleness and patience
A cashmere or wool coat should only be washed two to three times a season — no more. For optimal washing:
Hand washing (recommended)
Fill a basin with lukewarm water — never hot, as heat felts wool. Add a dab of mild soap, preferably a pH-neutral soap. Immerse the coat, press it gently without twisting 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 clean cloth, away from direct sunlight and any heat source. Never hang wet cashmere — it would stretch under its own weight. Drying can take 24 to 48 hours. It's slow, and it's 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 cedar block — a natural moth repellent, without chemical aggression.
- Store flat or on a padded hanger, in a dry, airy place.
Avoid mothballs, which are too aggressive for natural fibers. Lavender and cedar do the same work, gently.
6. When to entrust your coat to a professional
For stubborn stains or a deep clean, a quality dry cleaner specialized in noble fibers is the best option. Always specify that it is cashmere or virgin wool — 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 enough. In between, airing, brushing, and occasional hand washing maintain the piece in perfect condition.
The art of making it last
Caring for a cashmere or wool coat is honoring the work of the hands that crafted it. In our workshops, each piece is the fruit of an exacting standard passed down since 1918 — a heritage that deserves to be preserved, season after season.
Discover our collection of coats 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 at your service.