Tired of Dry Cleaning? Learn How to Wash Your Wool and Cashmere Coats at Home, Keeping Them Fresh and Fuzz-Free.
## How to Wash and Care for Your Wool and Cashmere Coats:
– How to Clean Wool and Cashmere Coats Without Ruining Their Shape
– Always check the care label on the coat and follow the instructions
– Dry clean your wool/cashmere coat whenever possible
– Hand washing is the best at-home alternative
– You Can Machine Wash Wool and Cashmere Coats, But Be Careful
– Never Use a Dryer for Wool and Cashmere Garments
– How to Get Rid of Odor in Wool Coats
– How to Prevent Wool and Cashmere from Pilling
## How to Clean Wool and Cashmere Coats Without Ruining Their Shape:
Don’t let your winter holiday photos be ruined by a stained and shrunken wool or cashmere coat. Instead, learn how to properly wash these garments and why machine washing shouldn’t be your first choice.
### Always check the care label on the coat and follow the instructions:
A general rule of thumb when washing any new garment is to check the label. These usually have clear care instructions, such as whether the item can be tumble-dried, machine-washed, etc.
### Dry clean your wool/cashmere coat whenever possible:
When it comes to wool coats, most manufacturers recommend dry cleaning. If you’ve purchased a second-hand coat and the label is missing, it’s better to be safe and take it to a dry cleaner. You don’t want to accidentally ruin a perfectly good wool coat by taking unnecessary risks.
### Hand washing is the best at-home alternative:
It only takes one bad dry cleaning experience to put most people off. If you have a lot of dry-clean-only garments or are on a tight budget, you can hand wash wool and cashmere coats at home.
**How to hand wash wool/cashmere at home:**
1. Fill a bathtub or large container with cool to lukewarm water.
2. As the water runs, add a mild detergent or soap that is safe for wool.
3. Soak the coat for 15-30 minutes, ensuring it is fully submerged.
4. Rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear.
5. Lay flat to dry.
## You Can Machine Wash Wool and Cashmere Coats, But Be Careful:
Technically, you can machine wash wool and cashmere coats. However, not all machines are suitable for washing wool or delicate garments. Custom-made coats with multiple linings may not fare well in the tumble, and front-loading machines are not recommended for these items.
However, if you want to try machine washing a wool coat in a top-loading washer, you don’t need to make many adjustments to your regular washing routine.
If your machine has a wool or bulky setting, choose that option. If not, select a gentle cycle. Make sure you are washing in cool water and using a detergent that is safe for wool and cashmere. Give your coat a better chance of coming out clean by placing it inside a mesh laundry bag. This will help prevent the lining and trim from getting tangled or pulled during the wash.
After washing, lay the coat flat to air dry.
## Never Use a Dryer for Wool and Cashmere Garments:
One of the biggest no-nos when it comes to caring for wool and cashmere is putting them in the dryer. The dryer’s heat can cause these fabrics to shrink, and the friction can increase pilling. With wool, you should always air-dry. If you’re concerned about the structure, lay the coat flat to dry. Depending on the thickness of the wool, this may take some time, so don’t lay it in a high-traffic area.
You can also hang the coat until it is damp and then switch to a padded hanger. Padded hangers won’t stretch out wet wool as much as metal or wooden hangers.
## How to Get Rid of Odor in Wool Coats:
As outerwear, coats are exposed to a lot of environmental factors. They can absorb all sorts of odors from the outdoors and our storage areas. To freshen up your coat, you can try the following:
– **Use a steam iron:** Sometimes, all you need is a bit of steam to get rid of odors.
– **Spray with vodka:** It may sound crazy, but vodka can neutralize odors. However, test it first on an inside seam to check for any adverse reactions.
– **Sprinkle with baking soda:** Baking soda is a go-to odor remedy, and it can also work for your wool coat. Try this method along with washing the coat to ensure that all the tiny baking soda particles are rinsed out.
– **Air it out in the sun for a few hours:** The UV rays of the sun can not only give you a sunburn; they can also neutralize odors. While a few hours in the sun won’t fade the color, it’s best not to make this a weekly odor-removing ritual.
## How to Prevent Wool and Cashmere from Pilling:
No matter how careful you are, natural fibers will pill. Win the war against pilling with these handy tools:
– **Fabric shaver:** Professionals use fabric shavers to remove pills at their source. If you’re not familiar with using one, practice on something less delicate than your coat first.
– **Lint roller:** After each wear, give your coat a once-over with a lint roller.
– **Sweater comb:** This is certainly one of the weirdest tools some people use to brush away pills from their wool coats. But if you only notice pilling in certain areas, you can use it to remove them.
– **Double-edged razor:** If you have a steady hand like a surgeon, you can use a double-edged razor to shave away pills.
