How to Clean and Care for a London Fog Coat

A water-repellent coat fails in two predictable ways: detergent residue kills the finish, and heat distorts the structure. Avoid both and the coat lasts a very long time.

Read the label first, every time

Care requirements vary across the range. An unlined spring shell and a fully lined winter trench are different garments with different rules, and the label is the only reliable source for the specific coat in your hands.

Everyday maintenance

• Hang the coat on a broad wooden hanger, never a wire one, so the shoulders keep their shape.
• Let it dry fully at room temperature before putting it in a wardrobe. Radiators bake the finish.
• Brush off dried mud rather than rubbing it wet, which pushes soil into the weave.
• Empty the pockets. Keys distort pocket bags permanently.

Spot cleaning

Blot, never scrub. Use a cloth dampened with cool water and a drop of mild soap, work from the outside of the mark inwards, then rinse the area with a clean damp cloth so no soap residue is left. Residue is what creates a visible ring and a patch where water no longer beads.

Machine washing, when it's permitted

1. Close all buttons, zips and cuff straps, and remove the liner and the belt.
2. Wash cold on a gentle cycle with a technical or non-detergent cleaner.
3. Skip fabric softener entirely; it coats fibres and destroys repellency.
4. Run an extra rinse to clear residue.
5. Tumble on low or line dry, then reapply repellent if water stops beading.

When to dry clean instead

Choose dry cleaning for lined coats, wool blends, anything with structured shoulders, and any coat where the label says so. Tell the cleaner that the shell is water-repellent and ask them to re-treat it after cleaning; most can, and the finish is otherwise stripped by solvent.

Off-season storage

• Clean the coat before storing it. Invisible body oils attract moths.
• Use a breathable cotton garment bag, not plastic, which traps moisture.
• Store the belt tied loosely through the loops so it does not crease sharply.
• Keep it out of direct sunlight, which fades khaki and stone shells noticeably.

Signs the repellent finish needs refreshing

Water soaks in as a dark patch instead of beading; the shoulders darken quickly in drizzle; the fabric feels heavier after rain. All three are finish problems, not fabric failure, and a wash plus re-treatment usually restores near-original performance.