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

donglefan
Posts: 403 Forumite


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.
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.
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Comments
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Cheaper dry cleaner.
Have a look at the ones in your local area for their costs.Life in the slow lane1 -
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.
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 machine1 -
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.1 -
Dry cleaning will kill any moths that might be lurking... and will put new comers off. Personally I'd get it dry cleaned.2
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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.
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 dollI’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.2 -
when someone on mse tells you to spend some more, you know you've been over-exerting on saving.
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I've washed all sorts of items that say 'dry clean only.
But I've never washed a lined wool coat.
And never would.2 -
donglefan said:when someone on mse tells you to spend some more, you know you've been over-exerting on saving.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.1
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The issue when it's lined is that the fabrics shrink at different rates, pulling the coat out of shape, potentially permanently.2
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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.1
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