Published 28 October 2026 · Last updated 19 November 2026 · By the Nova Laundry team
Coats with a lining or structured shoulders, and wool or cashmere coats whose label shows a circle but no washtub, should be dry cleaned. Cotton or synthetic coats with a washtub on the label can be washed at home in cold water. Most coats that get ruined aren’t ruined by the fabric alone. It’s the construction inside.
If your coat was expensive and it’s the only one you have, and you’re not sure, just send it for coat dry cleaning. One cleaning bill is still cheaper than a new coat.
Before you wash: check two things on the label
Coat labels are usually on the inside left seam near the waist, or under the brand label at the collar.
First, the fiber content. For example, Wool 70% Nylon 30%. If the main fiber is animal hair (wool, cashmere, alpaca, mohair), be extra careful. You’ll see shops and websites claim that “anything over a certain percentage of wool must be dry cleaned,” but there’s no standard behind those numbers. Ignore them and go by the symbols instead.
Second, the care symbols. The system used almost everywhere is ISO 3758. – A washtub means it can be washed in water. The number inside is the maximum temperature. – A washtub with a hand means hand wash only. – A crossed-out washtub means no water. – A circle with a P or F means it can be dry cleaned. The letter tells the shop which solvent to use.
If you want to know the difference between P and F, and what a shop actually does to a coat during dry cleaning, read what dry cleaning is.
How to clean each type of coat
| Coat type | Wash at home? | Method | Risk if done wrong |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wool coat with lining and shoulder structure | Better not | Dry clean | The outer shrinks, the lining doesn’t, the coat ripples and the shoulders lose their shape |
| Cashmere coat | Better not | Dry clean | Fibers shrink and stiffen, and the fabric loses its softness |
| Trench coat in cotton or polyester | Yes, if the label shows a washtub | Cold water, gentle cycle, or hand wash | Deep creases, peeling water-repellent coating |
| Coat with faux fur or leather buttons | Better not | Dry clean, or have a shop check it first | Faux fur clumps and stiffens, leather cracks or bleeds onto the fabric |
| Padded coat | Mostly yes | Cold water, low-heat tumble dry | The fill clumps inside |
Wool should always be washed in cold water. Warm or hot water makes it shrink and lose its shape, and it should never be hung to dry, because the weight of the water stretches it.
Coats with padded fill need different care from fabric coats. The details are in how to wash a padded jacket.
Why do coats shrink after washing?
Wool fibers have tiny scales on their surface. With warm water and agitation, those scales lock together tighter and tighter, so the fabric shrinks and thickens. This is called felting.
Coats suffer more than sweaters because a coat isn’t a single layer. The outer is wool, which can shrink. The lining is usually polyester or viscose, which shrinks differently. Inside there’s also interfacing and shoulder pads. When the outer shrinks and the lining doesn’t, the whole coat ripples, the collar twists and the shoulders collapse.
A shrunken coat is very hard to fix. Sometimes a shop can press and stretch it back into shape a little, but it almost never returns to how it was. That’s why we recommend dry cleaning whenever you’re unsure.
If the label allows washing, how to do it at home
Only for coats with a washtub on the label.
- Turn it inside out. Do up all the buttons and zips so nothing snags on the coat itself.
- Use cold water. In a machine, choose the wool or delicate cycle. By hand, don’t soak it longer than the label allows.
- Use a wool detergent or a mild one. No bleach.
- Don’t wring it. Press the water out by hand, or roll it in a towel and press.
- Dry it flat. Lay it on a rack or towel in the shade, and shape the shoulders and collar while it’s still damp.
- Wait until it’s completely dry before hanging or storing it. A thick coat can take several days.
Looking after a coat on a trip without washing it
On a one or two week trip, a coat hardly ever needs washing if you do this daily.
- Brush it after wearing. Use a soft brush, stroking down along the grain, so dust and lint come off before they work into the fabric.
- Use a wide-shouldered hanger. Thin wire hotel hangers leave bumps in the shoulders. If there’s no proper hanger, drape it over the back of a chair instead.
- Steam out the creases. Hang it in the bathroom while you take a hot shower. The steam relaxes suitcase creases well.
- Blot stains straight away. Dab gently with a cloth dampened in cold water. Don’t rub.
If you haven’t planned out all your winter clothes before your flight yet, see how to wash winter clothes before a trip to Japan, Korea or Europe, which includes a countdown plan.
Frequently asked questions
Can a coat go in the washing machine? Only if the label shows a washtub. That’s usually cotton, polyester or padded coats. Wool, cashmere, and coats with a lining and structured shoulders shouldn’t go in a machine.
Does a wool coat have to be dry cleaned? Not always. Check the label. If it shows a washtub with a hand, you can hand wash it in cold water. If it only shows a circle and a crossed-out washtub, it needs dry cleaning.
How often should a coat be cleaned? Not often. It’s an outer layer that doesn’t touch your skin directly. Clean it at the end of the season before storing it, or when it’s stained or smells. In between, a brush and steam are enough.
My coat is pilling and shedding. What should I do? Pilling comes from friction, usually under the arms and where a bag strap rubs. Use a fabric shaver or de-pilling comb gently in one direction. A little shedding at first is normal for wool.
How long does coat dry cleaning take? Most dry cleaners take several days. If you’re wearing it on a trip, send it at least two weeks before your flight and tell the shop the date you need it back.
Coat dry cleaning at Nova
Not sure if your coat can be washed at home? Send a photo of the inside label on LINE, and the Nova team will tell you how it should be cleaned before you have to decide. We’re on Phet Kasem Soi 58 in Phasi Charoen and take laundry 24 hours a day. Coat dry cleaning starts from a few hundred baht.
See our dry cleaning service and prices.