Cheapest dry cleaner for a wool coat, or can it be done on a cold wash?

Hi, I would welcome advice about a wool coat I bought from ebay for £20.  It smells and needs cleaning, but the only price list I can find for this (waitrose) lists coat cleaning at £19 with 5% off for a waitrose card.  
The coat is lined, but as far as I am aware, wool only shrinks when subject to high temperature, so I wonder if I can wash it in a bag, with wool-wash liquid in the washing machine on cold?
Alternatively, is there a cheaper dry cleaner?
Thank you.
«1

Comments

  • born_again
    born_again Posts: 19,843 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper
    Cheaper dry cleaner. 
    Have a look at the ones in your local area for their costs.
    Life in the slow lane
  • DullGreyGuy
    DullGreyGuy Posts: 17,740 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    donglefan said:
    Hi, I would welcome advice about a wool coat I bought from ebay for £20.  It smells and needs cleaning, but the only price list I can find for this (waitrose) lists coat cleaning at £19 with 5% off for a waitrose card.  
    The coat is lined, but as far as I am aware, wool only shrinks when subject to high temperature, so I wonder if I can wash it in a bag, with wool-wash liquid in the washing machine on cold?
    Alternatively, is there a cheaper dry cleaner?
    Thank you.
    Our local dry cleaner is £12.50 but they're not very good; the good one we use near work is £18 or £22 depending on the length. 

    The type of construction used in overcoats is particularly prone to shrinkage and so only put it in the washing machine if you are happy with it coming out unusable. I paid more than £20 for my coats so never risked putting in the washing machine 
  • maman
    maman Posts: 29,647 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 23 September 2024 at 12:56PM
    Worth checking out a local laundrette, they often have dry cleaning machines 
    😁
    Also, if it just smells rather than being grubby, then hanging out on the line can help. 
  • Emmia
    Emmia Posts: 5,284 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 23 September 2024 at 1:04PM
    Dry cleaning will kill any moths that might be lurking... and will put new comers off. Personally I'd get it dry cleaned.
  • sarah1972
    sarah1972 Posts: 19,388 Senior Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Homepage Hero Photogenic
    donglefan said:
    Hi, I would welcome advice about a wool coat I bought from ebay for £20.  It smells and needs cleaning, but the only price list I can find for this (waitrose) lists coat cleaning at £19 with 5% off for a waitrose card.  
    The coat is lined, but as far as I am aware, wool only shrinks when subject to high temperature, so I wonder if I can wash it in a bag, with wool-wash liquid in the washing machine on cold?
    Alternatively, is there a cheaper dry cleaner?
    Thank you.
    £18.05 is a bargain. 

    You will have a great coat for £38.05 or you could waste £20 and the cost of wool wash and end up with a coat to fit a Barbie doll 
    I’m a Senior Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Competitions Time, Shopping & Freebies boards, Employment, Jobseeking & Training boards If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • when someone on mse tells you to spend some more, you know you've been over-exerting on saving.

  • Pollycat
    Pollycat Posts: 35,652 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Savvy Shopper!
    I've washed all sorts of items that say 'dry clean only.
    But I've never washed a lined wool coat.
    And never would.
  • sarah1972
    sarah1972 Posts: 19,388 Senior Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Homepage Hero Photogenic
    edited 23 September 2024 at 4:48PM
    donglefan said:
    when someone on mse tells you to spend some more, you know you've been over-exerting on saving.

    Not necessarily over exerting on saving but it would be an awful shame to waste the £20 x 
    I’m a Senior Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Competitions Time, Shopping & Freebies boards, Employment, Jobseeking & Training boards If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • Emmia
    Emmia Posts: 5,284 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    The issue when it's lined is that the fabrics shrink at different rates, pulling the coat out of shape, potentially permanently. 
  • Clowance
    Clowance Posts: 1,893 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Cautionary tale: I bought a gorgeous silk jacket for £8 in a charity shop and had the same dilemma, but I washed it in tepid water in delicate detergent and rinsed, drip dried. The silk  shrank and my friend had to do some clever sewing of the lining to hide it. Fortunately its still wearable, but a cautionary tale. I would try hanging the coat on the washing line outdoors for days if possible to get rid of the smell, but ultimately, if you like the coat, pay for the dry cleaning.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.3K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.8K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.2K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.2K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 597.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.6K Life & Family
  • 256.3K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.