With the onset of cool weather, many people look into their closet and realize that something needs to be done with their coat. Of course, it is better to entrust such a matter to specialists, that is, take it to dry cleaning.
But on the other hand, if the cost of a coat is not much higher than the cost of dry cleaning services, then you can take a risk and get it in order at home. Is it possible to wash a coat in a washing machine? The main thing is to determine exactly what material the item is made of and choose a cleaning method from this. Find a special label on the product; if there is a sign with a crossed out basin, then it is necessary to do an exclusively dry wash. If there are no restrictions, then you need to figure out how to wash a coat in a washing machine correctly.
General rules for preparing for washing
- You will need to rip or unfasten all fur accessories. If such manipulations cannot be carried out without damaging the overall appearance of the coat, then it is better to refuse washing.
- Remove all metal elements, especially if washing will take place in an automatic machine. This way you can avoid not only rusty streaks on the material, but also damage to the entire product.
- Washing, no matter how it happens, should be at a temperature of no more than 40 degrees.
- For some types of materials, only special and delicate detergents or baby shampoo are suitable.
- Rinsing should occur more than once. So there will be no yellow stains on light material, and white stains on dark material.
- Drying can be done only in one of two ways and selected according to the type of material, on hangers or on a horizontal surface.
- Do not overdry; ironing should be done using gauze or thin cotton cloth. An ironed and slightly damp coat can be hung up to dry.
- If the washing machine does not have a “hand wash” mode, you must use the “delicate” mode.
- Under no circumstances should the spin mode be turned on. Under no circumstances should you squeeze it in a machine, as the shape may become deformed beyond recognition.
- Always choose a product that is recommended for a specific color.
- If the coat has locks and fasteners, then they should all be closed.
Washing a wool coat
This item can only be washed with a special powder intended for woolen products. The automatic machine mode must be “manual” or “delicate”, with the “spin” mode disabled. If the wool content is more than 90%, then you can wash only at 30 degrees. The spin and dry modes must be turned off, as well as the rinse mode. It is better to wash in a special bag, thereby avoiding damage to the surface by the buttons on the product.
A woolen coat should be dried on hangers, straightening out all the folds. Ironing is done when the product is still damp at a low temperature of the iron, after which it is again ordered to dry, but you must not stretch it, deformation will certainly occur.
Many manufacturers of woolen coats, and even more so tweed coats, do not recommend using wet washing at all, but exclusively dry washing.Therefore, if a tweed item has a fairly high price, for careful care and long-term wear it is better to take it to the dry cleaner.
Washing a Cashmere Coat
Cashmere is very demanding not only to wear, but also to wash. It rolls up a lot and sits down very quickly. If you can only wash away dirt stains, then it is better to do so. You can also use special stain removers and then rinse them off with cold water.
If there is a need to do a full wash, you should look at the information on the label. Automatic machine washing is suitable for items that have a large percentage of synthetic additives. Items made from 100% cashmere should not be washed this way.
The coat can be machine washed at a temperature not exceeding 30 degrees and using very mild detergents. It is also not recommended to grout stains before washing. The drum spin should be set to no more than 800 rpm.
Drying is carried out in a vertical position, changing the fabric as it gets wet. Once the coat is slightly damp, you can hang it on hangers.
Washing a polyester coat
Polyester tolerates any washing well, both in a machine (it’s still better to choose the “delicate” mode) and by hand. Under the influence of very hot water, polyester threads are easily deformed and creases may appear on the fabric, which are almost impossible to smooth out. Therefore, the water temperature should not exceed 40 degrees. Drying can be done on hangers, making sure to straighten out all the bends and folds.
To reduce the mechanical impact inside the drum of the machine, you can use special laundry bags.
Washing a drape coat
Drape is also very demanding when it comes to washing conditions. Therefore, if only the sleeves and collar are shiny, then it would be more rational to wet clean these parts. To do this, prepare a special product for drape products and apply it to problem areas with a brush. After this, you can treat the item with a damp sponge and hang it on a hanger to dry.
If this procedure does not give the desired result, then you can proceed to a full wash. It is produced in the same way as a cashmere coat. But if there are glued areas, then it is better to abandon the procedure. Or you can wash areas where there are no taped areas.
Washing a drape coat should occur at a temperature no higher than 30 degrees, and in some cases it will have to be at 15; usually such information is placed on the label. The “spin” mode must be disabled.
Velor outerwear is pure wool drape. Such items are not usually worn every day, but they also require personal care. If a velor coat is washed by hand, it is better not to wring it. You can use a gentle spin mode in the machine. Often, velor products do not require ironing, and drying is done on hangers. It is best to treat them with hot steam.
In custody
Also, when washing any products at home, you should take a responsible approach to drying them, because it will not be very pleasant if after washing the coat becomes clean, but has a musty smell. Drying is best done indoors with ventilation or in the open air. It is worth remembering that the higher the percentage of natural fibers, the more difficult it will be to wash. There may be problems with it being pulled out, pilling and deformation.
Products for starching must always be selected not only by type, but also by color of fabric. Never leave anything in the pockets of your outerwear; it is better to turn the item inside out; all buttons and zippers must be fastened. It is better not to wash or even wet the glued areas to avoid them coming off. If you are not sure about the quality of the dye with which the item is painted, then it is better to refuse washing, as you may end up with a product of an unknown color.
Therefore, before choosing between home washing and dry cleaning, you should think carefully; perhaps there is no need to purchase a new coat yet, and it is better to dry clean the old one.
