It's not recommended to wash your wool winter coat in the washing machine, but you can try to clean it by hand using a basin filled with lukewarm water. To do this, you'll need a wool detergent and at least a quarter to a half cup of water. If you're washing it in a small basin, you may need less.
Dry Cleaning
Wool coats are typically made from sheep's or goat's hair. The outer fabric of these coats can be machine washed, but the inner fabric must be dry cleaned. A special wool safe cleaner can remove stains. The winter season is a great time to take your wool coats to the dry cleaner.
Ideally, you should dry clean your wool winter coats twice a year. Professional dry cleaners will use special detergents to avoid damaging the fabric. Once the weather warms up, store the coat in a garment bag to prevent the development of moths or other insects. It is also a good idea to repair rips and holes in the fabric.
To clean stains from wool winter coats, use a wool-friendly stain remover and a damp rag. After using the cleaner, turn the coat inside out and place it in a mesh laundry bag. Use a cold water cycle on woolen or delicate cycle. Be sure to dry the coat flat and avoid direct sunlight. Avoid using biological detergents as they may shrink the coat.
Spot Cleaning
Wool coats are not suited for washing in the washing machine, but there are ways to clean them thoroughly without the help of a washing machine. You can soak the coat in water that is lukewarm, but make sure it is not overly full. Pour some wool-safe hand-washing liquid into the water and swish it around the coat to create suds. Once the coat is fully submerged, squeeze it out to remove excess water and dirt. It will then be ready to wear without much hassle.
If you are worried about the stains on your wool winter coat, you can use a mild detergent for spot cleaning. Mix it with a few drops of water and a small amount of stain-remover solution. Then, use a soft cloth to rub the stain. Rinse off any excess water with a clean rag. Dry your coat before storing it.
If you have a wool winter coat with a fur collar, make sure you brush it gently. You can even wash the fur separately to prevent it from rubbing on the clothes. Some classic style wool coats have collar bands or stand-up collars. The collars can become stained from body oils and perspiration. One way to prevent this from happening is to wear a shawl or an oversized blanket scarf. It is difficult to avoid direct contact, but it helps to make sure the collar is clean. Learn in one of our articles how to clean natural fur coat.
Washing Machine
Using the correct detergent is essential to cleaning wool. You should not wring or squeeze the wool when washing it. You should let it soak for about 10 minutes before rinsing it in cold water twice. This will remove any remaining detergent. It is also a good idea to check the wool garment's condition before washing it. Then, you can use the appropriate washing machine program.
Wool garments are often labeled with care instructions. These will tell you what type of detergent to use and how to wash it. You should also wash wool garments in cold water. This will prevent pilling and snags. It is also important to remember that the washing machine should be on the gentle cycle, and not the normal wash cycle. The temperature should be cool, but not too cold. If suds remain on the fabric, you may have to run the washing machine a second time.
Pretreating wool garments before washing is crucial for removing stains and odors. You can buy specialized stain removal solutions for wool, or make your own homemade solution. Pretreating wool garments will help prevent stains from setting in and prolonging. But how often should you wash your winter coats? Read more from us to find out!
Vinegar
To clean a wool winter coat without ruining it, you can use distilled white vinegar. This solution will remove the residue left behind by detergents, which can make woolens feel stiff and attract soil faster. It will also break down acid-based stains and freshen the coat. It is best to use a distilled vinegar that does not have a strong smell, but you can use a flavored one if you want to avoid the smell.
When using vinegar to clean wool winter coat, you should dilute it with warm water, since vinegar is acidic. Mixing the solution with warm water will help it to clean the wool and leave it soft and supple. Be sure to rinse the coat thoroughly after you have used the solution.
If you are washing the wool coat by hand, you should use cold water and lukewarm soap. Make sure that the water is not overly hot, otherwise it will make the wool lose its shape. Use a gentle cycle in the washer and follow the instructions on the label. After the washing cycle, you should place your coat in a dryer on the lowest setting to prevent stretching.