The best way to store winter coats over summer is to clean them thoroughly, store them on shaped hangers inside breathable garment bags in a cool, dry, dark space, and use moisture absorbers to control humidity. The biggest mistakes — storing them dirty, using plastic bags, or shoving them in a cramped wardrobe — will mean smelly, moth-eaten, or mould-damaged coats by next May.
Why winter coats need special care
Winter outerwear takes a beating during the cooler months — weather, body oils, perfume, restaurant smells, the occasional spill. Then it sits unused through humid Australian summers, which is exactly when stored fabric is most vulnerable to mould, moths, and odour absorption. A $400 wool coat is a small fortune that can be ruined by six months of careless storage. Our piece on the slow cost of leaving moisture alone covers what neglect actually costs you over time.
Different coat fabrics also have different vulnerabilities:
- Wool and cashmere: Moths love them, mould loves the natural oils
- Down jackets: Lose loft if compressed long-term, can mildew if stored damp
- Leather and shearling: Crack if too dry, mould if too humid — our leather protection guide covers the principles for any leather goods
- Synthetic puffers: Generally hardier but can develop musty smells in plastic
Step-by-step: storing coats the right way
1. Clean before storing — always
This is the single most important step. Body oils, sweat, and food residue are mould and moth food. Even a coat that looks clean has invisible deposits. Take wool coats to a dry cleaner. Wash down jackets and synthetic puffers per their care label. Wipe leather and shearling with a damp cloth and condition lightly.
2. Repair before storing
Any loose buttons, small holes, or seam separations should be fixed now — not next winter. Small holes in wool become moth highways. Tighten what's loose, sew what's open.
3. Choose the right hanger
Wire hangers are out — they distort shoulders. Use broad wooden or padded hangers that match the shoulder line. For heavy coats, a sturdy shaped hanger prevents the fabric from pulling and stretching over months of storage.
4. Use breathable garment bags
Cotton or canvas garment bags allow air to circulate. Avoid the dry cleaner's plastic bags — they trap moisture and gases that can yellow fabric and accelerate mould. If you only have plastic bags, at least cut ventilation holes in the sides.
5. Store somewhere cool, dry, and dark
Light fades fabric. Heat accelerates fabric breakdown. Humidity feeds mould. Aim for somewhere consistently cool, no direct sunlight, and humidity below 55%. An internal wardrobe is usually ideal; attics and garages are usually not.
6. Don't overcrowd
Coats need breathing room. Pack a wardrobe full of coats shoulder-to-shoulder and you've created a mould incubator. Leave at least 2cm between each coat — the air gap matters. Our wardrobe decluttering ideas might help if you're short on space.
7. Add moisture and pest protection
A hanging moisture absorber controls humidity in the wardrobe. Cedar blocks or sachets of dried lavender deter moths naturally — refresh the scent twice over summer. (For more on why lavender works, see our piece on the science behind lavender in the wardrobe.) Avoid mothballs unless you're prepared for the smell to linger for years.
Storage by coat type
Wool and cashmere coats
Dry clean, hang on broad hangers, store in cotton garment bags. Add cedar blocks or lavender. Moisture absorber in the wardrobe to keep humidity at 45–55%.
Down jackets and puffers
Wash according to label (often a gentle wash with tennis balls to maintain loft). Store hanging if possible — if you must fold, do so loosely and re-fluff seasonally. Don't vacuum-pack down for long periods; it damages the cluster structure.
Leather and shearling
Clean and condition. Use a shaped hanger that supports the shoulders. Breathable garment bag. Keep humidity at 50–55% — leather doesn't like extremes in either direction. A moisture absorber nearby helps.
Trench coats and lighter outerwear
Generally lower maintenance. Clean per label, hang on a broad hanger, breathable bag optional. Check pockets for forgotten items — lip balm, lozenges, and tissues left in pockets over summer cause stains and pest issues.
The summer check-in
Schedule a quick mid-summer check, around February. Open the storage wardrobe, look for any signs of moisture, mould, or pest damage (our piece on the early signs of wardrobe mould covers what to watch for), and check that the moisture absorber still has capacity. Five minutes now saves significant frustration in May.
When you bring them out for winter
- Air them out for a day before wearing — sunlight is ideal, but a well-ventilated balcony works
- Brush wool coats with a soft clothes brush to refresh the surface
- Steam or press as needed (dry cleaning if structure has set wrong)
- Check for any storage smells — if anything smells musty, air longer or refresh-clean before wearing
A natural follow-on to this seasonal swap is a full wardrobe spring clean — if you're getting the winter pieces in and out anyway, you might as well do the rest.
Frequently asked questions
Is it OK to vacuum-seal winter coats?
For wool and synthetic puffers, occasionally and for short periods only. For down or leather, never — it damages the fill or the leather permanently.
Can I store winter coats in the garage?
Generally not recommended — garages have temperature swings, humidity, and often pests. If it's your only option, use a sealed cabinet with moisture absorbers and check monthly.
Do moth balls really work?
They work, but they leave a smell that's almost impossible to remove and the active ingredients are harsh. Cedar and lavender work for most home situations; reserve moth balls for extreme cases (a known infestation, archive storage).
How often should I dry clean winter coats during storage?
Once at the start of summer storage is sufficient if you're storing properly. Frequent dry cleaning can actually shorten the life of fabrics like cashmere.
Treat your winter wardrobe with the same care as the rest of your year-round clothes and the same coats will see you through ten winters or more. It's a small effort once a year for a wardrobe that actually stays in shape.
