What Is a Shearling Jacket and Why Does Summer Storage Matter?
A mens shearling jacket is one of those investment pieces that, when cared for properly, can last you decades. The term “shearling” refers to sheepskin or lambskin that has been tanned with the wool still attached, giving you that plush, incredibly warm lining that makes these jackets so desirable in colder months. But here is the thing that most people overlook: how you store your shearling jacket during summer can make or break its longevity.
Summer is not just a season where your jacket sits idle in the closet. It is a season full of humidity, heat, insects, and conditions that can quietly degrade the natural fibers of your shearling if you are not paying attention. Whether you spent a significant amount on a designer shearling or picked up a quality piece at a reasonable price, the storage process matters just as much as how you wear it.
Can You Just Hang Your Shearling Jacket in the Closet All Summer?
This is the most common question, and the honest answer is: it depends on what kind of closet you have. Simply tossing your shearling jacket on any old hanger in a packed wardrobe is one of the worst things you can do. Regular wire or plastic hangers can distort the shoulder shape over months of storage, and a tightly packed closet does not allow the material to breathe.
If you are going to hang it, use a wide, padded wooden hanger that supports the full shoulder span of the jacket. This prevents the leather backing from stretching or developing creases that become permanent over time. But hanging alone is not enough. You also need to think about the environment around it.
How to Clean Your Shearling Jacket Before Summer Storage
Why Cleaning Before Storage Is Non-Negotiable
One of the biggest mistakes people make is storing their shearling jacket without cleaning it first. Any dirt, oil, sweat, or food residue left on the material will set in over summer and become significantly harder to remove by fall. Worse, organic residue can attract moths and other insects that feed on natural fibers.
Before you even think about storage, give your jacket a proper clean. For light surface dirt, use a soft damp cloth and gently brush the wool in the direction it naturally lies. For more stubborn stains on the wool side, a small amount of mild wool-safe detergent diluted in cool water works well. Always test on an inconspicuous area first.
Professional Cleaning for Deep Maintenance
If your jacket went through a heavy winter of regular use, a professional leather and shearling cleaner is worth every penny before summer storage. They have the expertise and products to clean the leather shell, condition it, and restore the wool without causing shrinkage, discoloration, or damage to the hide. Make this a once-a-year ritual and your shearling will thank you for it.
The Right Way to Condition the Leather Before Storing
Shearling jackets have a leather exterior that needs moisture to stay supple. Summer heat and dry storage conditions can cause leather to dry out, crack, and lose its natural oils. Before putting your jacket away, apply a quality leather conditioner to the outer shell. Work it in gently with a soft cloth, allow it to absorb fully, and then buff away any excess.
Do not overdo it. A thin, even coat is all you need. Using too much conditioner can clog the leather’s pores and lead to a greasy finish that attracts dust. Let the jacket air out for at least an hour after conditioning before proceeding to the storage step.
Choosing the Right Storage Bag for a Shearling Jacket
Why Plastic Bags Are the Enemy of Shearling
Never store a shearling jacket in a plastic bag or any non-breathable cover. Plastic traps moisture, which creates the perfect breeding ground for mildew and mold. The wool in fur leather jackets, being a natural fiber, absorbs ambient humidity and needs airflow to regulate its moisture levels. Sealing it in plastic for three to four months is essentially creating a sauna for your jacket, and that is a disaster waiting to happen.
The Best Breathable Storage Bags
A cotton garment bag is your best friend here. These allow air to circulate while keeping dust, light, and insects away from the fabric. Look for a bag that is long enough to cover the entire jacket without compressing it. If you cannot find a dedicated garment bag, a clean cotton pillowcase works as a short-term alternative in a pinch.
Some people also opt for muslin storage bags, which are lightweight and breathable. Avoid anything with a zipper seal that creates an airtight environment, and avoid synthetic fabrics that can trap heat.
Temperature and Humidity: The Two Biggest Enemies
Temperature and humidity are the two factors that do the most invisible damage to stored shearling. High heat dries out the leather and causes the wool fibers to become brittle. Fluctuating temperatures are even worse because they cause the material to expand and contract repeatedly, weakening the hide over time.
The ideal storage temperature for shearling is between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, with relative humidity kept between 45 and 55 percent. A climate-controlled room or a cool bedroom closet is ideal. Avoid attics, basements, garages, or any space that gets extreme heat in summer. These environments are simply too harsh for natural animal-derived materials.
If you live in a particularly humid climate, placing a few silica gel packets inside the garment bag can help absorb excess moisture without drying the material out completely.
How to Fold vs. Hang: What Works Best for Long-Term Storage
Hanging Is Generally Preferred
For shearling jackets specifically, hanging is almost always the better option compared to folding. Folding a thick shearling jacket for months creates permanent creases in the leather and can mat down the wool in ways that are difficult to reverse. The weight of the jacket pressing on itself also stresses the seams and can cause stitching to loosen over time.
When Folding Is Necessary
If closet space is limited and you have no choice but to fold, do it carefully. Lay the jacket flat on a clean surface, fold it loosely with the wool side facing inward to protect it, and never stack heavy items on top. Store it in a breathable box or bin lined with acid-free tissue paper, which will help absorb any excess moisture without damaging the fibers.
Dealing with Moths and Pests During Summer Storage
Natural wool is a favorite target for clothes moths, and summer is exactly when they are most active. The larvae of clothes moths are the real culprits because they feed on keratin, the protein found in wool and other animal fibers. A single moth infestation can riddle your shearling with holes that are nearly impossible to repair.
Cedar blocks or cedar sachets are one of the best natural deterrents. Place a few cedar blocks in your closet or directly inside the garment bag. Cedar releases natural oils that repel moths without the toxic chemical smell of traditional mothballs. Replace or sand down cedar blocks annually to keep the oils fresh and effective.
Avoid traditional mothballs around shearling because the chemical residue can be absorbed by the wool and is difficult to remove, and the smell can linger through the following season.
Should You Store Shearling in a Cedar Closet?
A cedar-lined closet is an excellent option for shearling storage. The natural cedar oils work as an ongoing pest deterrent and can help regulate mild humidity fluctuations. If you have one available, it is worth using. Just make sure the closet itself is not in a hot or damp area of your home, because a cedar closet in a humid basement is still a humid closet.
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Refreshing Your Shearling Before the First Wear in Fall
When summer ends and you pull your shearling out of storage, do not just throw it on immediately. Give it a day or two to air out at room temperature. Use a soft bristle brush specifically designed for sheepskin or suede to gently fluff the wool back up, brushing in the natural direction of the fibers. If any sections of the wool look matted, a light steam from a safe distance (never directly on the material) can help loosen the fibers.
Check the leather exterior for any dry spots and apply a light conditioning treatment if needed. Once the jacket has been aired and freshened, it should be ready for another season of wear.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Storing Shearling in Summer
Most damage that happens to shearling jackets during summer storage comes down to a few repeated mistakes. Storing without cleaning first allows residue to set in and attracts pests. Using plastic bags creates a moisture trap. Hanging on thin wire hangers distorts the shape. Storing in hot attics or damp basements exposes the material to extreme conditions. Forgetting to use moth deterrents leaves the wool vulnerable. And skipping leather conditioning before storage leads to cracking and dryness by fall.
Every single one of these mistakes is avoidable with just a little preparation at the beginning of the season.
Conclusion
Storing your shearling jacket properly in summer is not complicated, but it does require deliberate care. Clean it thoroughly before you put it away, condition the leather, use a breathable garment bag, hang it on a wide padded hanger, keep it in a cool and stable environment, and protect it from moths with cedar. Do these things consistently and your shearling jacket will come out of summer storage looking and feeling as good as it did when winter ended. A little effort in spring goes a long way toward preserving a piece that, with the right care, can genuinely last a lifetime.
