A cashmere or wool coat is not just a piece of clothing — it is a seasonal companion, a piece that lasts through the years when you take care of it. Here's how to preserve its beauty, season after season.
1. Daily ventilation, the gesture that changes everything
Cashmere and wool are naturally self-cleaning fibers. A simple passage into the fresh air after each wearing is enough to eliminate light odors and accumulated humidity. Hang your coat on a wide hanger and let it breathe for a few hours — away from a direct heat source.
This simple gesture considerably reduces the frequency of washing, thus preserving the natural suppleness of the fiber. Cashmere washed too often loses its drape; airy cashmere keeps it for years.
2. Brushing, the secret of the workshops
A soft-bristle brush, used in the direction of the hair, removes dust and micro-particles that dull the surface of the fabric. In our workshops, we brush each piece before putting it on a hanger. For a worsted wool coat, a horsehair brush is ideal; for cashmere, choose a bristle brush.
Brushing also lifts crushed fibers and revives the natural shine of the material. One minute a week is enough.
3. Pills: do not be alarmed, do not tear out
Cashmere that pills is not poor quality cashmere — it's cashmere that lives. Natural friction (sleeves against the body, bag worn on the shoulder) releases the shortest fibers, which form these small balls on the surface.
The golden rule: never tear them off. Use a cashmere comb or an electric pilling 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 only needs to be washed two to three times per season — no more. For optimal washing:
Hand wash (recommended)
Fill a basin with lukewarm water — never hot, the heat makes the wool feel. Add a dab of mild soap, preferably a pH neutral soap. Immerse the coat, squeeze it gently without twisting or rubbing it. Leave to soak for fifteen minutes.
Rinse with clean water, still lukewarm, until the soap disappears. Never wring: squeeze the water 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 will warp under its own weight. Drying may take 24 to 48 hours. It's long, and it's necessary.
5. Seasonal storage
When the warm weather returns, store your coat with the same attention you give it in winter. A few simple rules:
- Clean it before putting it away — body residue attracts moths.
- Use a cotton cover, never plastic. Cashmere needs to breathe, even when resting.
- Slip in a sachet of lavender or a block of cedar — a natural moth repellent, without chemical aggressiveness.
- Store flat or on padded hanger, in a dry and ventilated place.
Avoid mothballs, which are too aggressive for natural fibers. Lavender and cedar do the same job, gently.
6. When to entrust your coat to a professional
For stubborn stains or basic cleaning, a quality dry cleaner, specialized in noble fibers, 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.
Professional cleaning once a year, at the end of the season, is more than enough. In the meantime, airing, brushing and occasional hand washing keep the piece in perfect condition.
The art of making it last
Taking care of a cashmere or wool coat means honoring the work of the hands who made it. In our workshops, each piece is the result of a requirement passed down since 1918 — a heritage that deserves to be preserved, season after season.
Discover our coat collection and our exceptional jackets, made in the purest tradition of the Coulange workshops.
For any questions about the maintenance of your Coulange piece, our team is here to help.