Product Care
We want you to enjoy wearing your Gushlow & Cole piece for many years to come so here we share our specialist knowledge and give you some helpful tips on how to help you clean, care and maintain your shearling.
The shearlings, leathers and materials we source are selected for their luxurious high quality and age in different ways, which becomes part of their natural charm. Shearling is a natural product, so variations in texture, shade and some markings, are inherent with natural skins and materials and should be considered as enhancing their natural beauty.
Cleaning
You do not need to clean your shearling often, if at all, however if you decide to clean your shearling always use a specialist dry cleaner. Skins can react differently to dry cleaning, there could be changes to the texture, sometimes they might feel slightly stiff with a minor loss of the suede nap. We therefore recommend only to dry clean your shearling if it has had regular use and is looking tired.
Avoid
Make sure to avoid contact with ink, grease, oil based substances e.g. makeup, body creams / oils and perfume as they can permanently mark the suede or nappa finish of your shearling.
Rain
Try to avoid rain as this can permanently affect the appearance and texture of the wool. If you do get caught in the rain, shake off excess water and hang your garment away from direct heat on a broad shouldered coat hanger.
Merino shearling wool: It is important not to leave residue water on the surface of merino wool as this can result in small rain spots appearing permanently on the wool.
Toscana shearling wool: If your Toscana shearling wool becomes wet, it may start to curl slightly, to avoid this, comb whilst damp with a wide tooth metal comb, this will help to re-set the wool.
Suede: Heavy rain can permanently affect the appearance of the suede, you can help to revive the suede pile by following the tips below on caring for suede.
Please note that most skins will not be affected, but some wools are more sensitive to rain and atmospheric agents.
Care without dry cleaning
Regular light brushing will help to revive the pile of the suede. You can remove light marks by gently brushing downwards with a suede brush or dry sponge. A suede block can be used for heavier marks, always rub gently and with caution. Do not use on nappa finishes.
You can protect the surface of nappa and suede shearling by using a leather protection spray. We advise that you test a small unseen area first. We cannot accept responsibility for any results.
Storage
Your shearling needs to be stored in low humidity and in a moderate temperature. Leave enough space around your shearling as wool can bruise when compressed.
We recommend you store your shearling in its original dust cover, as this is breathable, never in a plastic cover.
Always hang on a broad shouldered coat hanger as thin wooden or metal hangers can stretch the skin and misshape the shoulders of your coat. Never hang over a hook or banister as this can distort the neckline.
Keep your shearling away from sunlight and bright light as shearling can fade and discolour quickly.
Colour transfer
No skins are truly colourfast. Please avoid contact of dark or brightly coloured shearling on light fabrics. Equally, dark fabrics can easily transfer onto light suede and nappa finishes.
Colour from fabrics such as new denim can easily rub onto light suede and nappa finishes. Please be especially careful if your coat is a light colour and reversible.
Helpful tip – Taking care whilst out and about.
To avoid the risk of permanent marks or damaging spills whist out, always fold your shearling wool side out, as wool can easily be wiped clean with a damp sponge, but liquid or grease can permanently damage the suede or nappa reverse.
Helpful tip – What shearling will wear well?
We advise you to wear your shearling without worry, but with sensible precaution.
Dark coloured nappa finishes are more robust and will wear well over time.
Although suede can mark, it is easier to clean than a light nappa finish. Light marks can be removed from suede without dry cleaning. Please see care notes.
Wool
Incorrect laundering or storage can distort the shape and knit structure of the wool. We therefore suggest you always store your item in the dust cover provided and on its original hanger.
Although our wool is machine washable, all of our woollen products are combined with shearling. Therefore when looking to clean your item we advise you contact a leather and shearling specialist dry cleaner.
Cashmere
Cashmere is hand washable, however as all our cashmere pieces are combined with shearling we advise you to contact a leather and shearling specialist dry cleaner.