How to Get Wrinkles Out of a Wool Coat (Winter Coat Care)

The first cold morning arrives, you pull your wool coat out of the closet, and it has a crease across the back from the hanger and a crumpled hem from being squashed between summer clothes. Yes, you can steam a wool coat. Hang it up, steam it from just above the fabric on a gentle wool setting without pressing down, then let it hang and dry for a few minutes before you wear it. Below you will find the steps, plus how to deal with lint, pilling and storage so the coat looks good all winter.

Can you steam a wool coat?

Yes, most wool coats steam well, and steam is usually gentler on wool than an iron. Wool fibers relax with heat and moisture, so creases drop out without the coat ever touching a hot plate. Check the care label first: if it says dry clean only, light steaming at home is generally fine for wrinkles, but leave stains and deep cleaning to a professional.

This post is only about coats. For sweaters, cashmere and general wool care, see our guide on how to steam wool and cashmere sweaters.

How to get wrinkles out of a coat, step by step

You need a sturdy hanger, somewhere to hang the coat at chest height, and a handheld steamer and iron such as the RosyIron SteamerPro, filled with distilled or filtered water.

Step 1: Empty the pockets and hang the coat

1. Take everything out of the pockets so they hang flat.
2. Use a wide, sturdy hanger that fills the shoulders. A thin wire hanger can leave dents in a heavy coat.
3. Hang it from a door or a rail where you can reach the whole length, and button or zip it so the front hangs straight.

Step 2: Choose a gentle wool setting

1. On the SteamerPro, press the button until the LED display shows Blend. That is the setting for wool.
2. For a cashmere or very fine wool coat, choose Silk instead.
3. Wait about 15 seconds for the steamer to heat up, and test on an inside seam or the inside of the hem.

Step 3: Steam from just above the fabric

1. Hold the steamer upright, just off the surface, and move it slowly from the shoulders down.
2. Do not press the plate into the wool. Pressing can flatten the nap and leave a shine, especially on dark coats.
3. With your free hand, gently pull the hem downward so the weight of the coat helps the creases fall out.
4. Work the sleeves from the shoulder seam to the cuff, then the back, then the front panels.

Step 4: Do the collar, lapels and hem

1. Steam the collar and lapels from just above, then smooth them into shape with your hand.
2. For a creased hem, steam it from the inside first, then the outside.
3. Steam the lining lightly from the inside. Linings are often a different fabric from the shell, so keep the steamer moving.

Step 5: Let it hang and dry

Leave the coat on the hanger for a few minutes before you put it on. Warm, slightly damp wool creases again easily, so give it time to cool and set.

Wool coat steaming at a glance

	What to do
Setting	Blend for wool; Silk for cashmere and fine wool
Technique	Steam from just above the fabric; never press down hard
Order	Shoulders, sleeves, back, front, collar, hem, lining
Finish	Let it hang a few minutes before wearing
Risk to fabric	Shine or a flattened nap if you press the plate into the wool
Leave to a pro	Stains, odors that will not air out, structured tailoring

Can you iron a wool coat?

It is best not to press an iron directly on a wool coat. Direct heat and pressure can flatten the fibers and leave a shiny patch. If one stubborn crease will not move with steam alone, lay that area flat, put a pressing cloth between the fabric and the plate, and press very lightly for a moment. For everything else, hanging steam is the safer choice.

How to get wrinkles out of a wool coat without a steamer

Use the steam from a hot shower. Hang the coat on a wide hanger in the bathroom, away from the spray, close the door and run a hot shower for several minutes. Then smooth the creases with your hands, gently pull the hem straight and let the coat hang outside the bathroom until it is completely dry. It works for light creases; a deep fold from storage usually needs a steamer.

How do you get lint off a wool coat?

Brush it. Wool, especially in dark colors, picks up lint, hair and dust all winter. After steaming, once the coat is dry, brush it from the shoulders down in the direction of the nap. A reusable velvet lint brush lifts lint without sticky sheets, which is kinder to a wool surface than tape.

What about pilling on a wool coat?

Pilling on a coat shows up where it rubs: under the arms, along the side where a bag sits, and at the cuffs. Lay that area flat, test a small spot first and do not shave the same patch over and over. Our guide on how to remove pilling from sweaters explains the method, and it works the same way on coats.

How should you store a wool coat?

Store it clean, dry and with room to breathe, so it comes out of the closet ready to wear next fall.

• Clean it first. Brush it, air it out, and have it cleaned if it has stains before it goes away for the season.
• Use a wide hanger. It keeps the shoulders in shape.
• Give it space. A coat squeezed between other clothes is how creases form in the first place.
• Cover it. Garment dust covers that hang from the rod over several hangers keep dust off coats and suits while leaving them easy to reach. Avoid storing wool long term in a sealed plastic dry-cleaning bag.

FAQ

Is it better to steam or iron a wool coat?

Steam is better for a wool coat. It relaxes creases without pressing the fibers flat, so there is less risk of shine. Use an iron only with a pressing cloth, lightly, on a stubborn spot.

What setting should I use to steam a wool coat?

Use a gentle wool setting. On the RosyIron SteamerPro that is Blend, or Silk for a cashmere or very fine wool coat. If the label says cool iron, choose Silk.

Can you steam a dry-clean-only wool coat?

Yes, for wrinkles. Light steaming from just above the fabric is generally fine on a dry-clean-only coat; leave stains, odors that will not air out and deep cleaning to a professional cleaner.

Can steaming shrink a wool coat?

Light steaming from just above the fabric is generally safe for wool coats. Shrinking is more often caused by soaking, hot water or tumble drying. Keep the steamer moving, do not saturate the fabric, and test on an inside seam first.

How do you get a hanger crease out of a coat?

Hang the coat properly on a wide hanger, then steam the crease from just above the fabric while gently pulling the fabric smooth. Let it hang and dry for a few minutes.

A wool coat is one of the most expensive things in a winter closet, and a few minutes of steam keeps it looking that way. The RosyIron SteamerPro 2-in-1 steamer and iron has a Blend setting for wool, heats up in about 15 seconds and steams the coat right on its hanger. It comes with free shipping and 30-day returns.