How to Store a Shearling Jacket: 6 Simple Steps for the Off Season

If you want to know how to store a shearling jacket, the short answer is clean, dry, hang and breathe. A shearling jacket is a long term piece, and the way you put it away for summer decides how it looks next winter. This guide gives you six simple steps that protect the hide, the wool and the shape.

Why Storage Matters for Shearling

Shearling is sheepskin with the wool still attached. That makes it warm, but it also means the jacket can trap damp, attract moths and lose its shape if it is left badly stored. Plastic bags, wire hangers and a warm cupboard are the usual causes of trouble. A little planning in spring saves you a lot of work in autumn.

How to Store a Shearling Jacket in 6 Steps

1. Clean it before you put it away

Dirt and body oils attract moths and set into the hide. Brush the wool lightly, wipe marks on the outside with a soft dry cloth and air the jacket for a few hours in a shaded, dry room. Our shearling jacket care guide explains stain removal in more detail.

2. Make sure it is completely dry

If the jacket got wet during the season, let it dry slowly at room temperature. Never use a hairdryer, a heater or direct sun. Damp shearling stored in a closed space can smell and mark. Read our guide on whether shearling jackets are waterproof for tips on handling rain.

3. Use a wide, padded hanger

Thin wire hangers pull on the shoulders and leave dents. A wide wooden or padded hanger supports the weight and keeps the collar standing properly. Do not overfill the rail, because the wool needs space to stay fluffy.

4. Choose a breathable garment bag

A cotton or canvas garment bag lets air move while keeping dust off. Avoid plastic covers, because they hold moisture and can cause the hide to stiffen or smell. If you do not have a bag, an old cotton sheet works well.

5. Add natural moth protection

Cedar blocks or sachets of dried lavender help keep moths away without the harsh smell of mothballs, which can cling to wool. Place them in the bag or on the shelf nearby, and refresh them once or twice a year. Do not let cedar oil touch the hide directly.

6. Pick the right spot

Choose a cool, dry, dark and ventilated place, such as a wardrobe in a room you use. Avoid lofts, garages, basements and spots next to radiators or windows. Heat dries the hide, and damp spoils the wool.

Can You Fold a Shearling Jacket?

It is better not to. Folding leaves deep creases in the hide, and the wool gets crushed. If you must pack the jacket for travel, fold it loosely with the wool inside, use a breathable cover and hang it again as soon as you arrive. For long term storage, hanging is always the right answer to the question of how to store a shearling jacket.

What to Check During the Off Season

Open the wardrobe once in the middle of summer. Check for any damp smell, shake the bag, brush the wool and look at the cedar. A quick check takes two minutes and catches small problems early. If you see small holes or fine webbing, treat it early by airing and brushing the jacket, and contact a specialist cleaner if the problem is serious.

Getting It Ready for Winter

When the cold returns, take the jacket out a day before you need it. Let it hang in a room to relax, brush the collar and cuffs and check the zips. If the leather feels dry, a light wipe with a soft cloth is usually enough. For fit questions after a year in storage, see our shearling jacket size guide and size chart.

Final Thoughts on How to Store a Shearling Jacket

Knowing how to store a shearling jacket is mostly about patience and airflow. Clean it, dry it, hang it on a wide hanger, use a breathable bag and keep moths away naturally. Do that each spring, and your jacket will come out looking ready for another winter. If you are choosing a new one, browse the shearling jackets or our coats.

One last tip on how to store a shearling jacket: give it room. A crowded wardrobe crushes the wool and leaves marks that take time to fade. When you plan how to store a shearling jacket for the summer, choose a cool, dry spot, a wide hanger and a breathable cover. Do that, and how to store a shearling jacket stops being a worry and becomes a habit.

Common Questions

Can I store a shearling jacket in a plastic bag?

No. Plastic traps moisture, which can harm the wool and the hide. Use a cotton or canvas bag instead.

How long can shearling be stored?

With good conditions it can be stored for many months, and many people keep jackets for years. Check it now and then.

Do I need to dry clean before storage?

Not always. A good airing and brushing is usually enough. If the jacket is heavily soiled, ask a cleaner who handles shearling.

Where can I get more help?

Visit our FAQ page or send a message through the contact page.