Storing Winter Coats: How to Keep Them Safe and Ready for Next Season in Ireland

When you’re done with your winter coats, heavy outerwear designed to withstand Ireland’s damp, windy winters. Also known as winter jackets, they’re not just fashion—they’re survival gear. But if you toss them into a closet or shove them under the bed, you’re asking for mildew, moth holes, or a misshapen collar by next November. Storing winter coats right isn’t optional in Ireland—it’s a necessity if you want them to last beyond one season.

Here’s the truth: Irish winters don’t just end. They fade slowly, leaving behind damp floors, muddy boots, and coats that smell like wet wool even after you hang them up. That’s why simply airing them out isn’t enough. You need to clean them first—yes, even if they don’t look dirty. Sweat, salt from roads, and airborne moisture cling to wool, cashmere, and synthetic blends. A quick brush won’t cut it. Take them to a local dry cleaner who knows Irish weather, or wash them gently by hand if the label says so. Never store a coat with stains or dirt on it. Moths don’t care if you’re Irish or not—they’ll eat your coat like it’s a snack.

Next, think about space. A cramped wardrobe is a death sentence for coats. You need room for them to breathe. Use wide, padded hangers—not wire ones. They hold the shape and stop shoulders from sagging. If you’re storing multiple coats, leave space between them. Crowding traps moisture and creates the perfect breeding ground for mold. And don’t even think about plastic bags. They trap humidity. Instead, use breathable cotton garment bags—the kind you find in Irish linen shops or online from local makers in Cork or Galway. Throw in a cedar block or two. Not those fancy sachets with synthetic smells. Real cedar. It repels moths and smells like a forest after rain, which is basically the Irish summer.

Where you store them matters just as much as how. Avoid the attic. It gets too hot in summer and too cold in winter. Basements? Too damp. The best spot is a cool, dry, dark closet on an interior wall—somewhere the temperature doesn’t swing wildly. If you live in a house with old pipes or a leaky roof, double-check that area before hanging anything. Some Irish families keep their coats in a spare bedroom with a dehumidifier running all spring. Sounds extreme? Try it after your third coat comes back with a musty smell.

And don’t forget the accessories. Gloves, scarves, and hats? Store them inside the coat pockets or in a separate cotton sack tied with twine. That way, you won’t lose them. And if you’ve got a wool coat with a fur trim? Keep it away from direct sunlight. The sun bleaches Irish wool faster than you’d think.

By the time March rolls around, you’ll be tired of your winter coat. But come October, you’ll be glad you didn’t cut corners. Proper storage means you don’t have to buy a new one every year. That’s money saved, waste avoided, and style preserved. Below, you’ll find real advice from Irish women and men who’ve learned the hard way—what works, what doesn’t, and how to make your coats last longer than your New Year’s resolutions.