How to Store Your Leather and Sheepskin Coat After Winter - The Right Way

Winter is finally over in Manchester. The cold winds have settled, and your leather jacket or sheepskin coat has worked hard keeping you warm. But now comes the part most people get completely wrong - storing it properly until next season.

If you throw your leather coat into the back of your wardrobe without any care, you might pull it out next October to find cracks, mould, or a faded colour. The good news is that knowing how to store a leather coat after winter in the UK is not complicated. You just need to follow the right steps.This guide covers everything you need before you put your coat away for spring and summer.

Why Storage Matters More Than You Think

Leather is natural skin. Just like your own skin, it needs moisture, air, and the right environment to stay healthy. When you store it the wrong way, the natural oils inside the leather slowly disappear. Once those oils are gone, the leather becomes dry, stiff, and starts to crack.

Sheepskin coat storage brings an extra challenge because sheepskin is made of two materials at once. The outside is a suede or leather shell, and the inside is a warm wool lining. Both parts need proper care during off-season storage. If you ignore one, the other suffers too.

Step 1 - Clean Your Coat Before You Store It

This is the most important step, and most people skip it.

Any dirt, body oils, sweat, or food stains that sit on your leather coat during storage will cause permanent damage over time. They attract bacteria, cause discolouration, and can even attract pests. You must clean your coat before putting it away, even if it looks clean on the outside.

For leather and sheepskin garments, home cleaning is simply not enough. Using regular soap or household sprays on leather can strip away the natural oils and damage the surface. Sheepskin is highly absorbent and can shrink or harden if it gets too wet during home cleaning.

Professional leather cleaning before storage in Manchester makes a real difference here. A leather specialist cleans your coat using the correct agents that protect the leather fibres rather than harming them. BandBox Laundry ,inspects every garment before cleaning and uses eco-friendly techniques that are safe for leather, suede, and sheepskin. Bring your coat in before you store it away for the season.

Step 2 - Condition the Leather After Cleaning

Once your coat is clean, the next step is leather conditioning. During the cleaning process, natural oils inside the leather get removed. If you put the coat into storage without replenishing those oils, the leather will dry out and crack over the months it sits unused.

A good leather conditioner keeps the fibres soft and supple. Apply a small amount with a soft cloth and work it gently into the surface. Let it absorb fully before moving on to storage.

For sheepskin, conditioning the leather side prevents the outer shell from becoming brittle. Gently brush the wool lining to prevent shearling wool matting during the off-season months.

Step 3 - Use the Right Hanger

The hanger you choose matters more than you realise.

Thin wire hangers create pressure points on the shoulders of your coat. Over several months in storage, this distorts the shape permanently. Always use a wide padded hanger with broad ends that support the full shoulder width. This keeps the coat's natural shape and prevents unnecessary creasing in the leather.

For heavier leather and sheepskin coats, a wooden padded hanger is the best option because it supports the weight evenly over the whole season.

Step 4 - Never Use a Plastic Bag

This is one of the most common leather jacket storage mistakes people make.

Plastic bags and vinyl garment covers do not allow air to circulate. When leather cannot breathe, moisture gets trapped inside. That trapped moisture causes mould to grow on the surface and dries out the leather's natural oils, which leads to cracking and discolouration.

Always store your leather coat in a breathable fabric garment bag made from cotton. This protects it from dust while still allowing airflow. Never use the plastic dry-cleaning bag from the cleaners for long-term storage.

Step 5 - Store It in the Right Place

Where you store your coat is just as important as how you prepare it.

In the UK, damp is a real problem. Leather and sheepskin exposed to damp over several months will develop mould and musty smells that are hard to remove. Choose a cool, dry, and dark storage space. Keep the coat away from direct sunlight, which causes leather to fade and suede to lose its colour. Avoid storing near radiators or heat sources, as direct heat dries out the leather very quickly. A wardrobe in a well-ventilated bedroom is usually the safest spot.

Special Tips for Sheepskin and Shearling Coats

Sheepskin is two materials at once. The outer shell is suede or leather, and the inner lining is dense natural wool. Each material has different needs, and you have to care for both.

Sheepskin needs a little extra attention compared to smooth leather. Use a soft suede brush on the outer surface to lift the nap and remove surface dirt before hanging it up. Never fold a sheepskin coat for long-term storage. Always hang it. Folding creates permanent creases in the leather that are very hard to fix later.

Sheepskin should only go to a leather specialist for deep cleaning. A standard dry cleaner can remove the natural lanolin from the hide, leaving it stiff and damaged.

The 5 Biggest Storage Mistakes That Ruin Leather Coats

1. Storing without cleaning first allows stains and body oils to set permanently into the leather fibres. 2. Using plastic bags or vacuum seal bags traps moisture and causes mould growth on the surface. 3. Hanging on thin wire hangers creates pressure dents in the shoulders that cannot be reversed. 4. Storing in a damp garage or attic exposes the leather to humidity that cracks and fades the material. 5. Skipping conditioning entirely before storage leaves the leather with no protection against drying out over the coming months.

Let a Specialist Help Before You Store

The best thing you can do for your leather or sheepskin coat is to have it professionally cleaned, conditioned, and inspected before storage.

BandBox Laundry specialises in leather, suede, sheepskin, and fur garment care in Manchester. Our skilled team re-oils leather garments after cleaning so the fibres stay soft through the off-season. Visit us at 72 Hathersage Road, Manchester M13 0FN and get your coat ready before spring arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I store a leather coat in a suitcase?

No. Folding leather inside a suitcase puts pressure on the material and creates permanent creases. Always hang your leather coat on a wide padded hanger for off-season storage.

How long can a leather coat stay in storage?

A properly cleaned, conditioned, and stored leather coat can stay in off-season storage for up to eight months without damage. Skipping the preparation steps shortens this window.

Should I clean my sheepskin before or after storing?

Always before. Dirt and oils left on sheepskin during storage cause permanent damage to both the leather shell and the wool lining.

Does leather need to breathe in storage?

Yes. Leather is a natural material that needs air circulation. Sealing it in plastic stops airflow and causes moisture buildup, mould, and oil loss.

Can leather get mouldy in storage?

Yes, especially in damp UK homes. Storing leather in a humid space like a garage creates the right conditions for mould to grow. Always choose a cool, dry, and well-ventilated space and use a breathable fabric garment bag.