Clean your wool coat at home with this helpful guide.
But wool coats can often be washed at home, if done properly.
The three essential elements are a gentle wool wash ordetergent, low water temperatures, and gentle agitation.
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Here’s how to do it right.
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Wait at least 10 minutes before washing the coat to give the wool wash time to break apart stains.
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Allow the coat to soak for around 30 minutes, no more than one hour.
Swirl the Coat
Come back after the soaking period and gently agitate the fabric with your hands.
Squeeze each section gently to help remove the soil.
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Rinse With Fresh Water
Lift the wet coat from the soapy water.
Drain the soapy water and rinse out the sink or tub and refill with fresh lukewarm water.
Place the coat in the clean water and swish to rinse.
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Repeat these steps until no more soapy residue appears in the water.
Again,do not wring it out.
Repeat the squeezing motion until the coat is no longer dripping wet.
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Lay several large, thick towels on a flat surface.
Place the coat on the towels, shaping it so that it is as smooth as possible.
Roll the towels up with the coat inside to help absorb the moisture.
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Repeat this step with fresh, dry towels if the coat is still excessively wet.
Warning
Never place a wool coat in a clothes dryer.
The high heat will cause it to shrink.
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The coat will need to remain flat for up to 48 hours as it dries.
Turning the coat and replacing wet towels after 24 hours will speed up the drying process.
But be wary of this if the coat has a delicate lining or embellishments.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
If you decide to machine-wash, here’s how to proceed.
Be sure to empty pockets and button up or zip the coat to prevent snags.
Turn the coat inside out.
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If possible, pick the slowest final spin cycle to reduce stretching.
Load the Washer
Add the wool wash to the washer, following product instructions.
Place the coat in a largemesh washing bagto prevent snags, remembering to turn the coat inside-out.
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If you don’t have a mesh bag, use a white pillowcase and tie the top closed.
It’s best to clean the coat immediately before hanging it away for the season.
After washing and drying, inspect again, as buttons and other features may loosen during the washing process.
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When using aclothes steamer, hang the coat from a study hanger and follow the steamer’s instructions.
Allow both pressed and steamed coats to dry completely before wearing or storing, to prevent set-in wrinkles.
Hang the coat on a wooden or padded hanger.
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A cedar ball or lavender-scented pouch placed in the garment bag can also help discourage moths.
Getting these features wet is likely to cause damage.
But dry clean only coats shouldnever be machine washed.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
No, do not hang a wool coat to dry.
It is not a good idea to air-tumble a wool coat in the dryer.
Even at a no-heat setting, adryeris likely to ruin a wool coat.
