I often get asked about peacoat storage and protection. As the forum is slow right now on peacoat postings, I thought it would be a good time to post my thoughts on the subject.
For storage I use a wide, really wide, wooden hanger. It will be 2" to 3" wide at the shoulders, the type that is advertised on this forum on the upper right hand side of the page. Here is the link to the page:
http://www.hangerproject.com/closet/jacket-hanger-20.html They are expensive, but worth it to avoid the shoulders of the peacoat from becoming misshapen. Walgreens had some several years ago for substantially less. They are probably available elsewhere as well. Or, if you are a poor college student, you can make your own with a wooden hanger, old T shirts and duct tape.
A peacoat that has been purchased used, should be dry cleaned before it is put in your closet to kill any moths or larvae that may be hidden in the coat. Or leaving it outside when the temp is below freezing should accomplish the same result. The coat, if worn on a regular basis during the winter, should also be cleaned once a year before storage. This will get any particles out of the fabric that moths might like to feast on. For day to day cleaning, I use a one way brush; they work the best for me. I brush the coat each morning before I wear it, and again before I put it in the closet at night. This is the type of brush I use:
http://www.amazon.com/Evercare-Lint-Brush-Magik/dp/B000QRFNGS/ref=pd_bxgy_hg_text_b
It works better than any of the other brushes I have tried. It is also fast; a brushing takes less than 30 seconds.
Don't eat anything while wearing your peacoat. Food particles will get in the wool and moths will be attracted to it. Brushing it before putting it in the closet at night will remove
most of the food particles, if you don't follow the no eating rule. Some particles, however, will become embedded in the fabric, and will be difficult to remove by brushing.
To guard against moth damage, get a moth protector for the closet in which you hang your peacoat, and change it every ninety days. If you don't, the coat will be damaged by moths. I use the plastic strips sold by Hot Shot--available at Amazon. It has no odor and works well. I have the plastic strips in five of my closets and change them every 90 days. Instructions say every 4 months, but my pea coats are worth enough to me that I change more frequently. Get a Magic Marker and mark the date 90 days from the date you open the package. This date should be marked on the side of the plastic strip so it can be easily seen when entering the closet. This will let you know when the strips need to be changed. Otherwise you will have an out of date moth strip in your closet that allows the moths free reign with your wool coats. This is the link for the Hot Shot strips at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Shot-5580-Unscented-Repellent/dp/B0019BK8AG/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1323521614&sr=8-7 These strips are also available on eBay and elsewhere.
These instructions are important: follow them and that 60 year old peacoat will live another 60 years to be worn by your grandchildren.
