Proper storage and ongoing maintenance determine whether your trench coat serves you for a few seasons or a few decades. Beyond regular cleaning, the way you store your coat during off-seasons and address minor wear issues significantly impacts its longevity and continued good appearance.
This practical guide covers everything from seasonal storage protocols to handling common maintenance challenges, helping you protect your investment and keep your trench coat in excellent condition year after year.
Seasonal Storage: The Complete Protocol
When trench coat season ends—typically late spring in most of Australia—proper storage becomes essential. Following a consistent end-of-season protocol prevents damage during months of non-use.
Pre-Storage Preparation
- Professional Cleaning: Never store a dirty coat. Body oils, food residue, and environmental pollutants can set into fabric during storage, causing permanent staining. Moths are attracted to soiled fabrics. Have your coat professionally dry cleaned before storing.
- Thorough Inspection: Check every inch of your coat for issues requiring attention. Look for loose buttons, small tears, worn seams, and stains that may have been missed during cleaning. Address repairs before storage when possible.
- Empty All Pockets: Remove everything from pockets—even small items can cause impressions or attract pests. Check interior pockets thoroughly.
- Remove Belt: Store the belt separately or loosely draped over the hanger. Leaving the belt buckled or tightly wound can create permanent creases in belt material.
Never store a damp coat. Even slight moisture promotes mildew growth, which can permanently damage fabric and create lingering odours. Ensure your coat is completely dry before storage.
Choosing the Right Hanger
The hanger you use significantly affects your coat's shape retention. Invest in quality hangers for long-term storage:
- Best Choice: Wide, padded hangers that support the entire shoulder area. Cedar hangers add moth-deterrent properties.
- Acceptable: Broad wooden hangers with rounded edges. Ensure width approximates your shoulder width.
- Avoid: Wire hangers (cause shoulder dimples), narrow plastic hangers (insufficient support), and hangers with sharp edges.
Garment Bag Selection
Protect your coat from dust and pests with an appropriate garment bag:
- Breathable Fabric Bags: Cotton or canvas bags allow air circulation while protecting from dust. This is the ideal choice for most storage situations.
- Avoid Plastic Bags: Plastic traps moisture and prevents air circulation, promoting mildew growth. Never use dry cleaning plastic for long-term storage.
- Cedar-Lined Options: Some fabric garment bags include cedar lining for additional moth protection. These are excellent for valuable coats.
Store your trench coat in a cool, dry, dark location with stable temperature and humidity. Avoid attics (temperature fluctuations), basements (humidity), and areas receiving direct sunlight (fading). A climate-controlled closet is ideal.
Pest Prevention
Moths and carpet beetles can devastate stored clothing. Protect your trench coat with these strategies:
- Cedar: Cedar blocks, rings, or lined storage naturally repel moths. Replace or sand cedar periodically to maintain effectiveness.
- Lavender: Dried lavender sachets deter moths while leaving a pleasant scent. Replace every 6-12 months.
- Avoid Mothballs: Traditional mothballs contain toxic chemicals and leave a persistent, unpleasant odour that transfers to garments. Modern alternatives are safer and more pleasant.
- Regular Inspection: Check stored coats periodically (every 2-3 months) for signs of pest activity or other issues.
Daily and Weekly Maintenance
Small maintenance habits during wearing season keep your coat looking fresh and reduce the need for frequent professional cleaning.
After Each Wear
- Hang Immediately: Don't drape your coat over furniture. Hang on an appropriate hanger as soon as you remove it.
- Air Out: Before returning to a closed closet, let your coat air in a well-ventilated area for a few hours. This prevents moisture and odour buildup.
- Quick Brush: Use a soft clothes brush to remove surface dust, lint, and debris. Brush in the direction of the fabric weave.
- Empty Pockets: Remove items that could stretch pocket fabric or create pressure impressions.
Weekly Attention
- Thorough Inspection: Check for any new stains, loose threads, or developing issues while they're still easily addressed.
- Button Check: Ensure all buttons remain firmly attached. Reinforce any that feel loose before they detach entirely.
- Belt Care: If using the belt regularly, check for wear at buckle attachment points.
Common Issues and Solutions
Wrinkles and Creases
Minor wrinkles typically release naturally when the coat hangs properly. For stubborn creases:
- Steam Method: Hang the coat in a bathroom during a hot shower. Steam relaxes fabric fibres, releasing most wrinkles naturally.
- Garment Steamer: Use a handheld steamer on appropriate settings for your fabric. Keep the steamer head slightly away from the fabric surface to avoid moisture spots.
- Professional Pressing: For persistent creases, particularly in structured areas like collars and lapels, professional pressing produces superior results.
Prevention beats cure. Use broad hangers, avoid overcrowded closets, and don't cram your trench coat into bags or tight spaces. Wrinkles are easier to prevent than to remove.
Water Spots and Rain Marks
When rain dries unevenly on fabric, it can leave visible water marks. Address these carefully:
- Dampen the entire affected panel (not just the spot) with clean water using a spray bottle or damp cloth.
- Allow to dry naturally in a well-ventilated area, away from direct heat.
- The spot should blend away as the fabric dries evenly.
- If marks persist, professional cleaning may be necessary.
Loose or Missing Buttons
Button maintenance is simple but important:
- Loose Buttons: Reinforce immediately with strong thread matching the original colour. Use a thread shank (create a small stem between button and fabric) for easier buttoning.
- Missing Buttons: Quality manufacturers often include spare buttons. Check pockets, interior seams (some attach spares inside), and any packaging you saved. If unavailable, a tailor can source close matches.
- Backing Buttons: On quality coats, small backing buttons on the inside distribute stress. Ensure these are also secure.
Minor Tears and Snags
Address small fabric damage promptly before it worsens:
- Thread Snags: Never cut snagged threads. Gently work them back through to the fabric's inside using a fine needle.
- Small Tears: For tears along seams, a tailor can often repair invisibly. For mid-fabric tears, professional invisible mending services offer remarkable results on quality garments.
- Lining Damage: Torn linings cause ongoing annoyance and can worsen rapidly. Have a tailor repair lining tears before they expand.
Restoring Water Resistance
Over time and with cleaning, water-resistant treatments diminish. Restore protection:
- Use waterproofing spray specifically designed for your coat's fabric type (different formulas exist for cotton, polyester, wool, etc.).
- Apply in a well-ventilated area, holding the can at the recommended distance.
- Test on an inconspicuous area first to ensure no discolouration or texture change.
- Allow to dry completely before wearing.
- Reapply periodically, particularly before seasons with expected heavy rain.
Long-Term Preservation
Rotation Strategy
If you own multiple trench coats, rotate their use. This allows fabrics to rest between wears, extending each coat's lifespan. Even rotating between two coats significantly reduces wear on each.
Professional Relationship
Develop a relationship with a quality dry cleaner and tailor who understand premium outerwear. Professionals who know your coat's specific requirements provide better service than anonymous drop-off services. Don't hesitate to discuss specific concerns or care instructions.
Documentation
Keep records of your coat's care:
- Photograph the care label in case it fades
- Note cleaning dates and services performed
- Record any repairs and who performed them
- Save receipts for warranty purposes
Quality trench coats can last decades with proper care. The small investment of time and attention in maintenance pays significant dividends in extended garment life and continued good appearance. Treat your coat as the investment it is.
When Professional Help Is Needed
Some situations exceed DIY capability. Seek professional assistance for:
- Significant stains (oil, wine, ink) beyond spot-cleaning capability
- Structural repairs to seams, linings, or major areas
- Mould or mildew issues requiring specialist treatment
- Restoration of vintage or valuable coats
- Any alteration to fit or design
The cost of professional care is minimal compared to replacing a quality trench coat, and experts often achieve results impossible through home methods.