Washing your coat – when was the last time you did that? If you can't remember, chances are it needs a good deep cleaning. Down, wool, fur or faux fur just don't resemble the textiles we're used to putting in the washing machine. However, there is no reason to run from cleaning! With a few tips you can do a lottime and moneysave by caring for your coat yourself. You can get them in this article!
Washing and cleaning trench coats and overcoats – what should you know?
How to wash a trench coat or overcoat is written on the care label. This will help you determine whether the coat can be machine washed at home or needs to be dry cleaned. The cleaning products you need for each type of coat are very different, as some you can clean with detergent, while others should not come into contact with water and require a brush (like suede).
How oftenyou should take your coator wash your trench coat? If you wear this daily, you will need to clean it more often, at least twice per season.Important:Never attempt to wash natural furs, have them treated by a professional cleaner. The same applies to suede coat.
However, faux fur, vinyl, waterproof fabric, polyester, and down are easy to clean at home. You will also find that down coats can go in the dryer while all others have to air dry.
With the right techniques and this guide, you can keep your coats looking great without shrinking, fading, or getting ruined. So just read and learn these simple steps on how to wash your coat.
How to clean a wool coat
Wool is a natural fiber spun from the hair of sheep or goats and can deform in water. For this reason, dry cleaning is recommended for almost all wool coats or trench coats. However, according to some care labels, certain wool coats can be washed at home if you use a gentle wool detergent, a low water temperature, and a minimal spin cycle. Here are the steps you should follow:
Pre-treat the stains
Mix a drop of liquid detergent with cold water to dilute it thoroughly and apply the suds to the stained area, keeping the rest of the garment as dry as possible. Gently massage the soap solution into the fibers with your hands, but do not scrub. Allow the area to air dry in a well-ventilated area.
Set the correct water cycle & temperature
Set the washing machine to the wool or gentle cycle and the water temperature to cool or cold. If possible, choose the slowest spin cycle to reduce stretching. Place the coat in a large mesh laundry bag. If you don't have one, you can also use a pillowcase.
Important: Never use warm or hot water or a dryer on wool coats, trench coats and generally all wool clothing. Heat causes the fibers to bind together more tightly and the garment to shrink.
Allow the coat to air dry
When the wash cycle is finished, remove the coat and let it air dry. You can also place it on a towel on a flat surface to help the water absorb faster.
Also interesting:Drying laundry in winter without a dryer: Helpful tips for fresh laundry in the cold season
How to care for your down coat and jacket
Down is the soft, insulating layer that ducks and geese have under their feathers; they are lightweight and super warm when used in coats. The secret to the lasting success of a down coat is keeping the down clean, dry and fluffy. If handled improperly, wet down can clump together. Down coats can be washed and dried at home with a special detergent. Always read the care label to make sure the outer fabric, which can be made from a natural or synthetic fiber, is washable. A detailed guide on how to wash and clean your down jacket to keep it in great shape,can be found here!
How to wash a faux fur coat
The most important thing when caring for a faux fur coat is that you read the care label. The fur is almost always a washable synthetic fiber, but the inner lining and structural components of the coat may not be washable. It is best to hand wash any faux fur item.Important: Never put faux fur in the tumble dryer as the high heat can melt the fibers. Once this happens, there is little you can do to reverse the damage.
- Place the faux fur in the detergent solution, making sure it is completely submerged. Do not swish the fur in the water for longer than 10-15 minutes.
- Lift the faux fur coat out of the water and gently squeeze out as much soapy water as possible. Rinse the coat until there is no more suds and squeeze out as much excess water as possible again. You can wrap the fur in a thick bath towel to make it easier to remove the water.
- Use a drying rack in the house to dry the faux fur coat flat, or place it on a sturdy hanger and hang to dry. It may take 24 to 48 hours to complete. Avoid direct sunlight and heat.
Tipp: Use a soft-bristled brush to gently brush the faux fur and lift the fibers when it is completely dry.
Also read:Cleaning and caring for a leather jacket – How to make real leather look new again with simple steps!
