How to Clean a Shearling Jacket

Shearling jackets are known for being super warm yet breathable, keeping you toasty in colder weather. While shearling jackets only need to be cleaned about once a year at the end of the winter season, they need to be taken to a fur professional to be cleaned so they stay in great shape. If your jacket is a little wet or needs some spot treating, there are some simple things you can do at home.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Spot-Treating Stains

1
Absorb a spill on the jacket with a clean towel as soon as possible. If you spill a liquid on your jacket while you’re wearing it, find a clean cloth or paper towel and use it to clean the spill quickly. Avoid rubbing the liquid with a towel and instead dab at it gently to absorb the moisture.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Rubbing the shearling jacket with a towel or cloth can cause more harm than good.
2
Brush away minor dirt spots using a suede brush or steel comb. If your shearling jacket has a smooth suede side, use the suede brush to brush this area to get rid of any light dirt. Use a gentle steel comb for the shearling fur, brushing the hair carefully to remove any dirt clumps and keep the shearling extra soft.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Go over the shearling with the comb several times to be sure the dirt is all out.
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3
Dab the dirty area with a mild detergent to spot clean your jacket. Use a gentle laundry detergent on your shearling, squeezing out a small amount right onto the stain. Dab it in gently with a clean paper towel and then use a damp cloth to remove the soap.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Avoid rubbing the sheepskin aggressively with the damp cloth when you remove the soap so it doesn't ruin the jacket, and instead dab at it gently.
This can ruin your jacket, even if you were to use the delicate cycle. The shearling material is easily damaged, especially by the heat of a dryer, so it’s best to follow the advice of the care label to keep it in good shape.^{[4]XResearch source}
5
Bring your jacket to a professional fur cleaner for a full cleaning. If you check the care label of your shearling jacket, it’ll likely tell you to bring the jacket to a professional. If you choose to bring your shearling jacket to a regular dry cleaners, make sure they have experience working specifically with shearling so it doesn’t get damaged. Otherwise, it’s best to seek out a professional cleaning service that works just with fur so you’re sure to protect your jacket.^{[5]XResearch source}
- If a regular dry cleaner doesn’t know how to clean shearling properly, they might cause the jacket to stiffen or change colors.
- Aim to have your shearling jacket cleaned at the end of each winter before you store it.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Drying a Shearling Jacket

1
Use a towel to absorb excess moisture if your jacket is super wet. If you wear your coat in the rain or it happens to get super damp with water, lay the jacket on a towel that’s spread out. Lay another clean, dry towel on top and press down gently to absorb the water. Pat the entire jacket through the towel so it starts to dry.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Shake the coat out gently before you pat it with a towel.
2
Place the jacket on a sturdy hanger. Hang the shearling jacket on a nice wooden hanger if possible, or at least a sturdy plastic one. Place the hanger on a sturdy laundry rack or similar hook so it can air dry naturally.^{[7]XResearch source}
- It’s best to avoid wire hangers because they’re usually not strong enough to hold a heavy wet shearling jacket.
Hanging your jacket to dry near a fire, hot vent, or any other area where it’s unnaturally warm can damage it. Place your shearling jacket in a spot that’s room temperature to keep the shearling from drying out.^{[8]XResearch source}
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Keeping Your Jacket in Good Condition

1
Store your clean shearling jacket in a cloth bag so it can breathe. Instead of rolling up your shearling coat and placing it in a plastic bag to store it during the warmer seasons, place your jacket in a clean cloth bag. This will let the jacket breathe so it doesn’t become moldy or smelly.^{[9]XResearch source}
- A breathable bag is best for the leather so it stays in good condition.
- Make sure your jacket is clean before storing it.
2
Spray your jacket with a stain resistant spray for extra protection. Purchase a spray protectant that’s safe on shearling or leather that will repel rain, water, and other types of liquids. Shake the can of stain resistant spray and apply it to the jacket in an even layer. Let the jacket dry completely before you wear it.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Read the instructions on the can of spray before you use it.
Shearling jackets tend to be heavier than most other types of jackets, making it important that they be stored on a sturdy hanger to keep them in good shape. Place your shearling jacket on a wooden or plastic hanger to provide enough support for the shoulders.^{[11]XResearch source}
Sunlight can actually bleach your shearling jacket over time, causing the color to fade. Instead of laying your jacket by a sunny window or hanging it on a hook that gets lots of light, choose a spot to store it that’s a little more covered.^{[12]XResearch source}
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Things You'll Need

Spot-Treating Stains

Paper towel or clean cloth
Suede brush
Steel comb
Mild laundry detergent

Drying a Shearling Jacket

Clean towels
Sturdy hanger

Keeping Your Jacket in Good Condition

Cloth bag
Stain resistant spray
Sturdy hanger

Tips

If your shearling jacket has a little bit of a smell, try getting rid of it by leaving it out in the sun on a dry day for an hour or two (but not longer than that!), stuffing it with newspaper to absorb the smell, or sprinkling it with baking soda and letting it sit for a day before vacuuming it out.
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It's usually okay to use a steamer on your shearling jacket to remove wrinkles, but make sure it's on a low heat setting. You might also try hanging your jacket in the bathroom while you take a hot shower to get rid of wrinkles.
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