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

donglefan

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.

born_again

Cheaper dry cleaner. 
Have a look at the ones in your local area for their costs.

DullGreyGuy

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

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

Dry cleaning will kill any moths that might be lurking... and will put new comers off. Personally I'd get it dry cleaned.

sarah1972

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 

donglefan

when someone on mse tells you to spend some more, you know you've been over-exerting on saving.

Pollycat

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

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 

Emmia

The issue when it's lined is that the fabrics shrink at different rates, pulling the coat out of shape, potentially permanently. 

Clowance

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.