Washing a wool coat

VanyaHargreeves

I've had my beloved wool coat for just over two years now, and am ashamed to say that it hasn't had much of a wash besides the occasional spot scrub!

It's time for it to have a proper wash, as it's beginning to get a bit pongy no matter what I do!

I don't want to ruin it though, and not too sure what the best way to wash it is! I don't think it can go in the washing machine.

The label says "dry clean only" but I would prefer to wash it myself if possible.

I don't have a bathtub, just a shower cubicle. I was thinking of perhaps hanging it up in the shower and trying to give it a good spray down with the shower head and some Woolite - the issue then is trying to dry it! I have a tumble dryer but wouldn't dare put a woolen coat in it!

My house is quite damp as well so I don't think it would dry if I left it to hang up.

Any advice please?

McKneff

Why not try the 'wool' setting on the washing machine.


Don't hang it up, the weight of the water will make it 3 ft longer lol.


If you love it that much, follow the manufacturers instructions and have it dry cleaned.
you might save a few quid but you might end up with a coat you can no longer wear.

SpikyHedgehog

I've started washing my old wool mix coat that my boyfriend bought me 15 years ago - the coat has lasted longer than the relationship, so if I'd ruined it, I'd have had justification to get rid of it ;-) I use a low temp wool cycle, then put it on a chunky coat hanger as it dries.

But... I picked up a wool jacket that said dry clean only for 20p from a car boot sale & ruined it by machine washing it the same way I wash the coat.

I wouldn't save on dry cleaning money unless you're prepared to replace it if need be.

valk_scot

The issue won't be simply washing the woollen bit. The problem is that coats have more than one layer, there's the wool, interfacing (often more than one type), often padding at the shoulders for support and the lining. All of these can shrink at different rates when washed and this will make the coat unwearable.Plus of course you can end up felting the woollen part anyway. And even if you get that far without damaging anything you'll still need to steam press it back into shape and that's not a job for the inexperienced, steam pressing wool isn't the same as ironing a cotton shirt.


Just get it dry cleaned, that's my advice.

jk0

I bought a 'Crombie' wool coat in 1988 from Littlewoods (when they still had shops. )

I have dry cleaned it every year since then, and it's still good as new.

£10 or so per year doesn't seem a lot.

Pollycat

I would only risk washing an item that said ;Dry clean only' if I were prepared for it to be ruined.

And as you describe this coat as 'beloved', I'd be off to the dry cleaners with it.

valk_scot makes an excellent point about all the components of the coat that may be affected by washing.

CRANKY40

I used to work for a dry cleaners. I wash most things that say dry clean only very carefully by hand. I'd take the coat to the cleaners if it was my coat. Hope that helps.