How to clean a coat at home - different types of fabrics

Proper care and timely cleaning of the coat increases its service life. The best option is professional dry cleaning. But it is not always possible to use the services of specialists. Read our article on how to clean a coat at home.

Pay attention to the manufacturer's recommendations: water temperature, tips for washing, ironing and drying the product

If the composition of the coat is mixed, rely on the presence of natural fibers. Synthetic fibers improve the fabric and make it easier to care for, while materials of natural origin are more demanding to clean.

General recommendations

Cleaning a coat at home provides general principles. The sequence of actions is observed.

The coat is placed on hangers, and a visual assessment of the condition of the product is carried out.
The label containing information about the type of material is examined. It indicates whether the coat can be washed in a washing machine or whether dry clean only is recommended.
After selecting cleaning products, check their effect on the fabric in an inconspicuous place.
If you need to remove a stain, make all cleaning movements towards the center.
Before cleaning your coat, you should trim the lining. This will allow you to place a cloth inside when processing contaminants.

When to take it to the dry cleaner

Very often, dry cleaning ends up with things that you couldn’t remove stains on yourself, but in some cases you shouldn’t even start trying to remove stains yourself. When should you immediately turn to professionals?

The label says so

First of all, you need to carefully study the label on things with information from the manufacturer. On the label you can find information about whether the item can be washed or not, if so, what temperature should be maintained, and whether machine drying and ironing can be used.

If the product cannot be washed at home, but must be cleaned with professional products, this will be indicated on the label.

White color

If you try to refresh a snow-white coat yourself, there is a risk of giving the item a grayish or yellowish tint. It is better not to try to remove stains from white material using improvised means, but to entrust this task to specialists.

Contamination from fuel oil and machine oil

Fuel oil stains and traces of machine oil are very difficult to remove at home without damaging the fabric and maintaining the original color. But specialized dry cleaning products will help eliminate the problem.

Traces of grease on leather clothing

If grease gets on a leather coat, it is very difficult to remove the stain yourself. When using solvents and degreasers, there is a risk of not only damaging the protective film of the material, but also ruining its color and integrity.

How to clean a drape

Due to its dense structure, a drape coat can be cleaned quite simply. Use a brush to remove dust and debris. Rolled rye bread crumb will remove minor stains. This ball is rolled over the entire surface of the product.

The dry wash method is acceptable. Washing powder is scattered over the coat laid out on the table. After half an hour, brush off the product with a soft brush.

If stains are found on the drapery, moisten them with detergent and leave for 10 minutes. After this, the contaminated area is carefully wiped with a clean, damp sponge and dried on a hanger. Wash your drape coat at home by hand in warm water (≈ 30 °C) only if absolutely necessary.

Getting rid of stains

Most often, 2 types of local contamination appear on the coat: traces of dirt and stains of various origins. The choice of means to combat them depends on the color of the product and the fabric from which it is made.

A clothes brush often works well for removing street dirt. If dirt gets stuck in the pile, you can remove it with soap foam.

It should be remembered that you first need to dry the fabric before proceeding with any processing. Otherwise, the stain will penetrate even further into the matter.

To clean stains of various origins, gentle stain removers are usually used at home. If their use is prohibited, folk remedies will help. Before use, any of them must be tested on an inconspicuous area of the product.

A strong solution of table salt will remove fresh sweat stains from any fabric. After the procedure, the tissue is washed with water.

Entrenched contaminants are removed in different ways:

A coat made of cashmere or other light woolen or wool blend fabric will be renewed with ammonia with glycerin (1:1) or table salt dissolved in water (1 tsp per glass). The mixture is also suitable for cleaning models made of suede, synthetics, and cotton fabrics, for example, moleskin, corduroy, and diagonal.
Yellow stains from colored and dark things can be removed with gasoline, ammonia or acetone.
The newly formed oil stain is covered with starch or baby powder. After two hours, the powder is cleaned off with the rough side of a dishwashing sponge or brush. For those products that are not afraid of ironing, the stain is covered with napkins on top and bottom, and then ironed with a hot iron. The paper that has absorbed grease is changed periodically.

Old stains from light-colored coats are removed with a paste of chalk (talc) and gasoline. The composition is spread in a thick layer on the problem area and shaken off after complete drying. If necessary, the procedure is repeated 2-3 times.

Dark fabrics are cleaned with turpentine, gasoline, acetone in pure form or in combination. The front side of the product is covered with a napkin, and cleaning is carried out from the back. After removing the fat, apply a cotton swab soaked in water to the material.

The choice of means and method of cleaning from traces of rust, paint and ink depends on the color of the item. Suitable for light: 1 tsp. citric acid or hydrosulfite, dissolved in 200 ml of hot water or heated lemon juice.

A coat of any color will not be ruined (unless a trial test shows otherwise):

Acetic essence or denatured alcohol, diluted with water 1:2.
Warm milk or curdled milk.

After any treatment method, the area is washed with water or a weak solution of ammonia.

You can clean coats made of light wool or other fabrics from wine and berry stains by sprinkling them with table salt. Remove old stains with a solution of citric acid (1 teaspoon per glass of hot water).

Stains from dark-colored products are removed with pure glycerin or its mixture with egg yolk. The product is applied to the stain and left for several hours. Then its remains are removed with water.

A solution of table vinegar can deal with salt stains on leather items. Suede should be cleaned with lemon juice diluted with water.

Gasoline and most solvents are incompatible with water, so you can only clean dry things with them, moving from the edges of the dirt to the center.

Cleaning Cashmere Products

You can wash a cashmere coat in a machine if there is no prohibiting symbol on the label. Wash at 30°C using mild detergents. Select the delicate wash mode without spinning.

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Dry the coat on a horizontal plane, spread out, with a terry sheet underneath. You can iron with steam without touching the cashmere with the soleplate of the iron.

Greasy marks can be removed with gasoline. Another option is to sprinkle talc on the stain for 12 hours. Then clean the dirt with a soft bristle brush. To remove contaminants of an unknown nature, soak the mark with a soap solution. After this, wipe the affected area with ammonia. Finally, remove traces of used compounds with a damp cloth.

How to wash a coat at home

Recommendations for washing coats made from different types of fabrics:

Wash draperies at home by hand, at 30–40°C, with detergents for woolen items (Perwoll, Frosch). Then rinse in clean water and dry in the fresh air, hanging on a hanger.
Suede items cannot be washed. If the clothes are very dirty, rinse them in a 30-degree soap solution (2 tbsp soap/1 tbsp liquid), and then again in water with glycerin (1 tsp/1 l liquid). Then blot the product with a dry towel and dry it by laying it on a horizontal plane.
Tweed items cannot be soaked or washed. If the clothes are very dirty, rinse them by hand in warm water (30°C) with the addition of detergent for woolen items ( Royal Powder Delicate ). Iron tweed items only from the inside out, through damp gauze.
Wash polyester items by hand or in a machine on the delicate cycle for synthetic items at 30°C. Use liquid, gel detergents that do not contain bleach ( Ariel, Persil, Tide ). After washing, do not wring out the clothes under any circumstances. Dry the items by laying them out on a horizontal plane and iron them at the lowest temperatures through cheesecloth.
Neoprene items are covered with fabric on both sides, so they do not get wet through. At home, be sure to wash them on both sides: first on the front, then on the back. Do this manually (at 30°C) or in an automatic machine on a delicate mode without spinning. Carry out the procedure using liquid detergents for washing baby clothes ( I was born, Stork, AQA Baby ). Dry the neoprene product also on both sides, so that it is not exposed to direct sunlight.
It is better to dry clean white woolen items. If you wash them with your own hands, they may become dull and gray. At home, you can only wash dark-colored woolen items. To do this, add powder (1 tbsp/1 liter of liquid) to warm water (30°C), place clothes there and remember lightly. Then rinse with fabric softener. Dry woolen items horizontally, placing them on top of a towel.
Cashmere clothing can be washed by hand and in an automatic washing machine, but only if there is a corresponding icon on the label. The procedure is carried out at a water temperature of no more than 30°C, using liquid detergents for woolen items ( Perwoll, Frosch ). When using a washing machine, select the delicate mode without spinning. For hand washing, fill the bathtub with water, dilute detergent in it (2-3 tablespoons/1 liter of liquid) and soak the cashmere coat for 20 minutes. Rub heavily soiled areas (collar, sleeves) with a soft sponge. Then rinse your clothes in cool water. After washing, without wringing out, hang it on a hanger above the bathtub (for 10–15 minutes). When the water has drained, transfer it to a dry towel and change it as it gets wet. Iron a damp cashmere item through gauze folded in 2-3 layers.
Leather clothing cannot be washed. For thorough cleaning, it is better to take things to dry cleaning. At home, you can clean only the lining. Turn the garment inside out and wet the lining fabric. Using a sponge, apply a solution of 2 tbsp to the contaminated areas. l. liquid soap and 1 tbsp. water. Lightly rub problem areas. Remove any remaining solution with a damp cloth. Hang the coat to dry on a hanger. Make sure that there are no heating devices or sudden temperature changes in the room. Otherwise, the material may stretch or shrink.

General Methods for Cleaning a Wool Coat

To restore shiny areas to their former appearance, wipe them with a napkin soaked in tea leaves or a mixture of vinegar and alcohol (1:1).

When deciding how to clean a coat collar or restore worn areas on the sleeves, prepare a solution of salt in ammonia (1:4) for wiping.

If, judging by the label, you can wash the coat in an automatic washing machine, set the temperature to a maximum of 30° C. The product must not be wrung out. This condition is also observed when washing by hand, which is preferable to machine washing. You should also not rub the product. Dry only on a horizontal surface.

How to restore after washing

During washing, a number of problems can arise that lead to damage to the coat. Many of them can be solved at home:

If pellets appear, they are removed using a special device or a regular razor.
Torn buttons can be easily sewn on.
The lining that has come apart along the seam is carefully hemmed.
Stains formed on the material are removed by repeated washing and rinsing in plenty of water.
You can try moistening a coat that has shrunk during the washing process, laying it on a horizontal surface and carefully straightening it to the desired size. Remove excess liquid with a terry towel and wait to dry.

Cleaning a leather coat

Flexible and durable, genuine leather is easy to clean if certain rules are followed.

Wiping with a damp soft cloth will help you get rid of dusty marks. If the contamination is small, dissolve a tablespoon of alcohol in a glass of water and add two tablespoons of liquid soap. Wet the sponge and treat the skin with the resulting composition. Then wash off the traces with clean water. Leather products should be cleaned regularly using this method.

Greasy areas are treated with alcohol, then wiped with lemon juice and additionally soaked in glycerin.

Salt stains remaining on the skin after rain are removed by table vinegar (6%).

You can't wash your coat in a machine, but you can try a gentle hand wash to tidy up the dirty lining. To do this, leather clothing is turned inside out. The lining is soaked and soaped using laundry soap. After washing, rinse, trying not to get the item too wet. Drying a leather coat on hangers.

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Three ways to clean your coat

There are 3 ways to clean outerwear from dirt:

Dry;
Wet;
Wash.

Removing stains from artificial fabric

Popular coats made from synthetic fabrics are easy to clean.

Products made from shape-retaining polyester can be washed by hand without twisting or rubbing in warm water (maximum 30 °C). This item of clothing can be washed automatically using a gentle wash on a synthetics-oriented cycle, without spinning.

If stains appear, sprinkle them with salt for half an hour. Then carefully wipe with soapy water. If the contamination is persistent, apply a borax solution (10%). After 5 minutes, wipe with lemon juice and remove all remaining traces with a damp cloth.

There is no need to doubt whether a neoprene coat can be washed. This fabric-covered foam rubber is wrinkle-resistant and machine washable. Basic conditions – soft powder, warm water (30° C), delicate mode. First wash on one side. The coat is then turned inside out and the process is repeated. When drying, also periodically turn the product inside out. Cannot be hung in the sun.

Removing the pellets

The resulting fabric lint balls are not a defect. They appear on any fabric during friction or abrasive treatment. But the pellets do not look aesthetically pleasing. For a long time, the only way to clean was to cut with a blade, which often led to the formation of holes.

It is safer to return the fabric to a smooth surface using a special electric machine.

This machine has a function to control the cutting height of the pellets, so there is no risk of damage to the material.

You can get rid of pellets by other means:

scotch tape (duct tape);
sanding paper;
dish sponge;
a fine-tooth comb;
toothbrush (better for sensitive gums).

and even dry bread crust

Methods for cleaning suede clothing

Rubbing over the pile with a cotton swab soaked in ammonia will help clean the capricious suede from dust.

To remove greasy marks, sprinkle starch for 2 hours. Then remove with a brush. Or prepare a soda solution in milk (a teaspoon per 100 ml of liquid). Soak the stain and after 5 minutes carefully wipe with a brush.

If creases appear, hold the product over steam and dry it on a horizontal plane. Salt stains can be removed with a soft school eraser or a bread crust.

You cannot wash a suede coat: the fabric cannot be rubbed or twisted. The maximum that is possible is to rinse in warm soapy water and then with clean water. Without squeezing, allow excess water to drain and lay the product on a soft terry mat.

Faux suede cannot be washed either. If dirt appears, apply thick soap foam and remove it with a sponge after two minutes. Remaining marks are removed with a towel.

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Removing the smell

Outerwear, especially wool coats, absorbs a variety of odors, including sweat and cigarette smoke. Ventilation usually helps get rid of them. But there are other effective ways.

From sweat

Eliminates the smell of sweat from a coat:

Universal aerosol for fabric with silver ions. Spray the product onto the armpit area and wait until it dries completely.
Activated carbon. The problem areas of the coat, laid out with the lining up, are sprinkled with powder from several tablets. After 2-3 days, the coal is removed.
A solution of ammonia or vinegar. The product is diluted in water (2 tablespoons per 200 ml) and, after moistening a sponge in the composition, treat unpleasant-smelling areas. Then the coat is aired for 6-8 hours.
Baking soda. It is poured onto areas of the lining that are damp from sweat at night. In the morning, shake off the crystals with a brush.
Lemon juice or citric acid. Rub the liquid onto bad-smelling areas and allow them to dry. To enhance the effect, vinegar is added to the juice.
Salt. Prepare an aqueous solution (1 tablespoon per glass) and apply it liberally to the fabric.
Multicomponent composition. By 4 tbsp. l. water mix 1 tbsp. l. salt and 3 tbsp. l. ammonia. The resulting mixture is used to treat the armpit area from the lining side.

Getting rid of tobacco "aroma"

The smell of tobacco coming from the coat removes:

Steam treatment. It is suitable for items made of wool and cotton. The coat is ironed with a steam iron or a regular iron through a damp cloth. The first option is better, since some materials, such as cashmere or vigoni, cannot be touched with an iron.
Ground coffee. It is placed together with items made of drape, crepe, cashmere or other woolen fabric in a closed case for several days. When the smell of tobacco is replaced by the aroma of coffee, the coat is hung out in the open air for ventilation.
Mint or oregano. The principle of application is the same as in the previous case. Dry leaves are placed in a linen bag and kept next to clothing until the problem is completely eliminated.
Table vinegar. Coats that smell of cigarette smoke are hung on hangers. Place an open container of vinegar mixed with hot water nearby for several hours.

Caring for a tweed coat

Elastic tweed wears well and hardly wrinkles. Remove dust by vigorous shaking or using a vacuum cleaner. If dirty splashes get in, wait until it dries completely and then remove it with a brush.

If contaminants are not detected immediately and have managed to be absorbed into the fibers, they are moistened with a soap solution and carefully brushed. Then wipe the cleaned area with a damp cloth.

A tweed coat cannot be machine washed. If hand washing is required, do it quickly, without allowing the product to get excessively wet. Dry on a towel, carefully straightening it on a horizontal plane. Cover the top with a towel so that the moisture is absorbed faster.

Cleaning stains

Stains on the coat should be removed before the main wash, so that traces of the stain remover are washed off later. The general principle for eliminating contamination: start removing it from the edges towards the center so as not to increase the affected area. You can use both universal professional stain removers suitable for the fabric of the product and folk remedies.

Coffee, tea, food

A solution of alcohol and vinegar mixed in equal parts can help remove tea and coffee stains. A mixture of 2 teaspoons of glycerin and 1 teaspoon of ammonia is also effective. Fresh stains from drinks and food are cleaned with soapy water.

Fat

There are several ways to remove grease stains. The method is chosen depending on the fabric:

Powder or talc. A greasy stain can be easily removed by treating it with baby powder and talcum powder, which will absorb the grease in 10-12 hours, after which they can only be brushed off. For stubborn stains, repeat the procedure.
Processing with gasoline. Traces of grease are removed with a cotton pad soaked in gasoline, wiping the dirt with light circular movements.
Iron and napkin. The stain is covered with a paper napkin and ironed on top at a temperature acceptable for the fabric.

Dirt, dust, splashes

Dried dirt and dust are removed by first shaking the coat and then walking over the surface of the material with a dry brush. If necessary, treat the problem area with a damp sponge and soap solution.

Hair and wool

The sticky roller removes hair and fur well. If you don't have it, you can use bread crumbs.

Tips for cleaning a light coat

Elegant white color is the most difficult to maintain. If you have to resort to washing, then soak the product in a mild soapy solution. Use gentle movements to wipe the contaminated areas.

Pour 50 ml of rinse aid into cool rinse water. There should be a lot of water to ensure complete rinsing of the soap. Without squeezing or twisting, the clothes are lifted above the container. After excess moisture has drained, wrap it in a large terry towel. If the fabric allows, then further drying is carried out on hangers.

By carefully selecting techniques for cleaning your coat yourself, you can completely preserve its original texture and decor. If the contamination is complex or extensive, then to save an expensive item it is better to turn to specialists.

How to prepare for cleaning

To prepare a coat for cleaning, first of all, you need to carefully inspect it and decide what kind of cleaning the product requires: is it enough to just shake off the dust, or will it require deep cleaning to remove stains. It is better to examine the item in a well-lit place, laying it out on a flat surface or hanging it on a hanger. Particular attention is paid to inspecting areas that are especially susceptible to contamination: collars, cuffs, pockets. Before cleaning, remove all contents from pockets.

It is necessary to carefully study the label with information from the manufacturer to understand exactly how to clean the coat so as not to damage the fabric.

Life hack 9 How to remove stains

Regardless of the material from which the coat is made, there are universal cleaning methods, including talc, salt, potato starch, baby powder, one (or more) of which is necessary to scrub the stain and then remove the residue with a brush. When dealing with greasy stains, a soap solution or dishwashing detergent, as well as the aforementioned gasoline (or kerosene), will help. But, in this case, be sure to try all the products on a small piece of the coat and each time place a napkin under the bottom.

Steam treatment is another universal cleaning method, after which the product can be shaken or used with a brush. This method is especially good for cleaning wool coats. Another method is a solution of ammonia (water, soap and ammonia), which will help in the fight against deep stains. But, be careful, you should only treat the affected area, and then wipe it thoroughly with a damp cloth. To remove hair or other foreign hairs and dust, always keep a roller with adhesive tape on hand - it will become an indispensable assistant when caring for your coat.

Polyester coat

You can restore a presentable appearance by washing your clothes by hand or by machine. But first, check for stains on your polyester coat, and if there are any, remove them:

Stain remover (according to instructions).
Soap for washing. Helps against dust and light dirt. Prepare a solution (as for drape), soak a cloth in it, wipe the contaminated areas on a polyester coat.
Difficult stains are removed with a 10% borax solution. Moisten a cotton swab, wipe off the dirt, then rinse.

It is recommended to dry polyester coats away from sunlight to prevent fading.

Neoprene coat

The artificial material is not afraid of water and stains, practically does not wrinkle, and is resistant to abrasion. Dry and wet cleaning of the coat is not used; the only way to refresh the product is delicate machine wash. Moreover, this must be done twice: first from the front side, and then from the wrong side.

Dry horizontally on a towel or terry sheet, periodically turning it inside out and changing the backing as it becomes damp.

It is recommended to wear neoprene clothing for no more than 3 hours a day, since the material is not breathable.

Coats made from other types of wool

Since there are different types of fabrics for sewing outerwear, you need to know how to care for coats made from the following materials:

Alpaca. Dry cleaning 3-4 times a season. Washing the entire product is prohibited; partial processing of individual areas is allowed. The material deforms quickly, so carrying bags on the shoulder is prohibited. To protect against moths, special products are used, lavender, cedar. Naphthalene is contraindicated. Iron through an iron, lifting the pressed lint with your fingers.
Angora. Wash exclusively by hand if absolutely necessary: without soaking, in a delicate mode using special products. Dry the coat in a horizontal position. Straighten the matted lint with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb.

Camel's wool. Washing is allowed only for fabrics containing 20-30% natural material. If over 50% - dry cleaning only. Dry naturally, away from heaters and sunlight.