How to wash a wool coat (including camel hair) in an automatic washing machine at home, is it possible by hand?

A wool coat is an expensive wardrobe item. During seasonal wear it gets dirty. Contamination is especially visible on a light-colored coat.

It would be natural to take the item to the dry cleaner, where it will be cleaned by professionals. But dry cleaning is an expensive pleasure, and clients are not always happy with the results, since sometimes stains remain.

You can wash your wool coat at home yourself. Read the article on how to properly wash a wool coat.

Is it washable?

To answer this question, you need to look at the coat tag and pay attention to the icons shown :

If the label has a drawing of a basin with two crossed out lines, this means that this product cannot be washed either by hand or in a machine.
Only dry cleaning is allowed. If there is no image, washing is possible.
Read also: Ways and means to remove grease stains from paper at home
It is necessary to familiarize yourself with the composition of the material from which the coat is made. If the wool content is no more than 80%, then you can wash it by hand and in a washing machine.
If, after studying the tag, you still have doubts, you can conduct an experiment with a piece of fabric, which is always attached to the label by the manufacturer.
Many people believe that a small portion of the material is sewn on in case a patch needs to be made. In fact, the manufacturer offers a sample of the material to see how this or that effect will affect the fabric.

Before washing a sample, it is necessary to measure a piece of material so that after washing you can see whether the fabric will shrink or not, or whether the color will change.

A little about detergents

Before you start washing, you need to look at the label. It indicates which substances contact should be avoided. Only after this can you go to the store and buy special cleaning products.

In large stores you can find cleaning products for every type of fabric. But if there is no specific product, then you can choose a liquid detergent for delicate washing and check its composition. If it does not contain substances that can harm the coat, then such a product is considered acceptable.

It is also worth looking for products for woolen items that require careful care. Here it is better to spend your time and find a special product that washes the material as carefully as possible.

In addition, you should pay attention to whether the cleaner is a universal one or whether it is intended for a specific color scheme. If the second option, then it can only be used with recommended fabric shades. On other colors, the detergent may leave streaks or change the original color.

How to prepare the product?

If the composition of the material and the tag on the coat indicate that the product can be washed in a machine, precautions must be taken.

So that the item does not become deformed, does not “shrink”, or the color fades:

remove all attached additional parts (fur collars, scarves, belts, jewelry);
empty their pockets;
button the coat with all the buttons;
turn a thing inside out;
Particularly dirty areas and stains are cleaned with a soap solution and a soft brush or sponge, using laundry soap or stain remover.

Some housewives on the forums share their experience of pre-cleaning stains on a woolen coat using Vanish for carpets . Apply the product to contaminated areas, leave for an hour, then wash in the machine. They note that the result is excellent.

How to properly wash items made from drape fabric?

Drape is a well-known fabric for sewing coats, because it has important properties - wear resistance, wrinkle resistance and the ability to keep the shape of a sewn product. Drape fabric is multi-layered; for its production, different manufacturers use different technologies, grades and types of wool yarn, so before washing a drape coat at home, you need to carefully study the information labels on the clothes.

Is it possible to wash a wool coat yourself? Yes, if there are appropriate recommendations from the clothing manufacturer. If you don’t know for sure, then you should carefully consider the outerwear. If there are glued areas on the drape coat, then washing is excluded. If they are not there, washing is done by hand, as is the case with cashmere items.

How to remove dirt from a drape coat with glued inserts? Clean it with a soft brush:

We prepare a soap solution from cold water and a small amount of special powder or gel for woolen products. The solution should be weak to avoid streaks on the fabric.
Using a small sponge, apply soapy water to the stains on the drape and leave for 15-20 minutes.
Next, brush the dirt with a soft bristle brush.
Using a clean rag, remove any remaining soap suds from the coat.
Dry your clothes naturally on hangers.

As you can see, all the ways to wash a woolen coat at home are simple, budget-friendly and effective, but there is always a possibility that the item may get damaged after washing at home. It all depends on the additives and dyes that make up wool fabrics. You cannot plan for everything, so it is better to use the services of a good professional dry cleaner. Good luck!

Washing in an automatic washing machine

After preliminary preparation, the wool coat:

Load into an automatic washing machine.
Set the temperature no higher than 30°C, maybe even 20°.
A special detergent for washing wool products (Laska, Nordland Eco gel, Frosch balm, Royal Powder Delicate washing powder concentrate) is poured or poured into the powder cuvette.
Turn on hand wash mode. If this is not available, use the mode for woolen items or delicate.
It is advisable to add rinse conditioner. It is gentle on the fabric, making the coat softer, fluffier, and smelling clean and fresh.
The spin is set to minimum (no more than 600 rpm). If it is impossible to independently set the push-up mode, it is turned off completely.

This video will show you how to wash a coat in a washing machine:

Preparing the item for washing

Preparing outerwear should begin by carefully reading the label. Having received all the available information, you can decide whether it is advisable to use an automatic machine or whether it is better not to take risks. If you can wash it, then the next steps are:

Buy a special detergent (preferably liquid).
Buy a washing bag (necessary for all types, except synthetics and holofiber).
Remove all fur elements - otherwise they will turn into a continuous roller.
Remove metal inserts.
Carefully inspect the integrity of the seams - if there are holes, then when washed in the machine the fabric will “sag” and the item will lose its shape. Therefore, it is necessary to fix all the threads, and then carefully sew up the broken seam.
There is a recommendation for delicate fabrics, which it is advisable to follow for all items - before washing in the machine, the item must be turned inside out. In this position, there is less chance of stretch marks appearing on the front side.
Select the operating mode of the washing machine that is most suitable for a particular material.
Decide on the type of drying (machine spin for synthetics and no spin for delicate fabrics).
Determine whether it is possible to use double rinsing in the machine, whether it will be necessary to clean the material in a suspended state with a shower with cold water.
If the material allows ironing, it should be done at the lowest possible temperature and placing the fabric between the iron and the coat.
All fasteners must be closed. Some recommend fixing them with scraps of fabric.
Some synthetic fabrics can pill, so they need to be washed with special balls that will prevent the formation of clumps.

These are general recommendations that must be followed when washing any outerwear. But it is important to know how to machine wash a coat, depending on the material used and the manufacturer's recommendations.

Manual

If you are concerned about the safety of an expensive woolen item from being washed in a machine, you can wash it by hand. Hand washing is more gentle.

to wash your coat by hand in the bathtub, where you can lay it out:

Fill the bath with lukewarm (20-30°C) water so that it covers the product, no more than 15 cm.
Pour in a little hair shampoo. Just as shampoo cleanses hair of impurities, it also has a gentle effect on fabric fibers.
They put on rubber gloves (or without them), carefully move their hands over the coat (with their hands on the material, not fabric against fabric), and press effortlessly. The water is drained.
Take clean water and rinse the coat with light movements. You can use running water, pouring from a shower head.
Squeeze slightly, but do not twist. Lay it out on a towel or first leave it in the bathtub or sink for a while so that the water completely drains, and then spread it out on a flat surface.

When washing by hand, not only shampoo is used. Use washing powder for wool, Laska, and gels for washing woolen items.

If the coat is very dirty, you can immerse it in soapy water and leave it to soak for 2-3 hours. And then wash it.

What to do if your coat shrinks after washing

The coat has shrunk - no problem. There are ways to return fabric to its original appearance:

Mix soda and warm water in a ratio of 1 tablespoon per 2.5 liters of liquid. Immerse the coat in water for a short time, remove it and dry it horizontally, pulling out the damp fabric. Don't allow any distortions! At the end, the coat needs to be hung on hangers and steamed.
The second method is suitable for delicate wool or cashmere. Mix hair conditioner in cold water and leave the product on for 20 minutes. Rinse, lay out on the surface and carefully pull out the fabric. Repeat periodically until the coat is completely dry.
The third option is to take the coat to the dry cleaner, where they will return the product to its original form using a steamer and an inflatable mannequin.

If the coat shrinks slightly, steaming in a vertical position will help, you need to move from top to bottom.

How to prevent fabric shrinkage:

take into account the characteristics of the material and carefully read the label with recommendations;
Do not wash the product in hot water, optimally 30-40 degrees;
do not use sudden temperature changes; the water for washing and rinsing should be the same;
do not use an aggressive washing method, use the mode for delicate fabrics;
do not violate the drying rules: first horizontal position, then vertical, then steaming.

If you follow all the manufacturer's recommendations for washing on the product label, choose the right detergent and temperature, a good result is guaranteed!

How to dry?

After washing, the coat is laid out on a flat surface on a large terry towel or sheet and carefully straightened. When the towel becomes very wet from the moisture received, it is replaced with a dry one.

It is necessary to ensure that water does not accumulate at the ends of the sleeves or at the cuffs . Gentle stroking removes moisture. Otherwise, smudges may remain, which are then difficult to get rid of.

Dry the woolen coat on hangers indoors with good air circulation or outside. It is unacceptable to dry the product near heating devices or use additional items, such as a hair dryer.

Drying

We managed to wash the product correctly at home - now all that remains is to dry it properly.

After washing, place the coat over the bathtub on a wooden mesh tray and allow the water to drain as much as possible.
Next step: remove excess moisture with terry towels. Spread one on the table, put a coat on top, smooth out folds and creases. Cover with another towel, roll everything up and leave for 10 minutes to allow the wool to release as much moisture as possible.
Cover the table with a dry blanket and spread the item on it. Using your palms, carefully smooth out any creases and folds and give the product the desired shape. Leave it to dry in this position.

Do not dry a delicate item at home on a hanger: wet natural wool is very heavy and can stretch and become deformed under its own weight. Synthetic and wool blend fabrics can be dried on hangers.

Partial washout

Sometimes it is enough to partially wash the clothes. Typically the most contaminated are:

coat hem,
sleeves,
pockets,
collar,
places where the item is fastened.

In such cases, only the contaminated areas are washed.

The instructions are as follows:

Take a bowl of water, the temperature of which is not higher than 30°C, and dissolve detergent for wool in it. The solution is foamed.
Use a soft brush or sponge (preferably with natural bristles).
Rub particularly dirty areas with a brush dipped in soapy water.
Rinse the product under running water, then dry it, as after washing in any other way.

When the coat is completely dry, iron the washed areas with an iron through gauze.

How not to ruin a wool coat when cleaning

To clean outerwear correctly and not spoil the product, you must follow the following rules:

Before you start cleaning your coat, you need to read the information on the label. It indicates whether the product can be washed, whether hand or machine washing is recommended, as well as other useful information.
When washing by hand, you should not wring out the item using the “twisting” method; a gentle spin is recommended.
After washing, the product must dry naturally; the use of heating devices is strictly prohibited.
You can hang woolen and drape items to dry only on hangers.
If you decide to iron your coat, you can only do this from the wrong side and through a napkin, at a temperature of no more than 180-200 degrees.

By following these rules for care and cleaning, you will keep your outerwear neat for a long time, and it will serve you for more than one season.

Dry cleaning

To take care of your coat without washing, special devices will help:

Sticky rollers.
Special brushes that have a coarse velvet attachment instead of hairs. She combs the fabric, removing dirt.
Device for removing pellets. Pills appear at the sleeve seams and along the hem, giving the coat an unkempt appearance.

Often, to prevent an item from looking worn, it is enough to clean individual stains. There are several ways to get rid of them:

Talc will help remove grease stains.
They sprinkle it on the contaminated area. After 10 hours, the fat is absorbed by talcum powder. After which the residues are removed with a stiff brush. If the stain does not disappear after the first procedure, it is repeated. On the front side of the product, apply a paper napkin to the stain. From the wrong side this place is wiped with gasoline.
The greasy fabric on the wrists (sleeves) is cleaned with a mixture of salt and ammonia (1:4).
Tea and coffee are removed using glycerin or ammonia. To remove beer stains, use hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, and vinegar. To prevent wine stains, sprinkle the stain with salt, but only if the dirt is not old.
Bread crumb rolled from black bread will clean the coat from dust. The crumb is rolled over the fabric, all the dirt remains on it.

How to clean and care for a coat, video tips:

Basic washing recommendations

If the desire to deal with stains on a woolen product is great, then it is better to act without deviating from the tactics specified by the manufacturer. But in addition to the designations on the coat label, it is necessary to take into account several universal rules, the observance of which will allow outerwear to become clean without shrinkage, deformation and damage.

Evaluate the naturalness of the item. Everyone knows that the more natural fibers a coat contains, the higher the likelihood that machine washing will negatively affect the material. The same applies to natural fur - if the clothing has a fur collar or inserts, it is better to unfasten them, wrap them with film or clean the dirt manually.
Don't skimp on detergent. Using the first powder you come across, you can put an end to your favorite coat. It is necessary to select special gels designed for delicate cleaning of woolen items. We also look separately at the colors – colored, white or dark. The more nuances you take into account, the lower the risk and the more effective the result.
Prepare the item for loading into the drum. Be sure to check all pockets and lining so that forgotten pieces of paper, keys or coins do not fall into the tank, cause a blockage and damage the coat itself. We also make sure to turn clothes inside out, fasten buttons, zippers and rivets. It is better to place the coat in a special protective bag.

You can select the “Delicate” or “Wool” program.

Take care of taped areas. If water, especially hot water, gets on the glue, it will definitely cause delamination and softening, which will lead to a loss of viscosity. The result is simple, but unpleasant - the coat will fall apart into several parts.
Focus on the quality of the item. Remember that woolen materials are often dyed with low-quality dyes to reduce the cost of production, which are easily washed out during prolonged contact with water. Machine washing will easily cause color loss, and the coat will look much worse.

If you forget the basic recommendations, you can end up with a colorless and shapeless thing instead of a stylish coat. So we advise you to weigh the pros and cons several times and only then place the wool in the drum. Most often, it is better to go to a dry cleaner or hand wash instead of a machine. This will require more time and effort, but the risks will be reduced to a minimum.

Dry cleaning at home

This method of cleaning a coat is suitable for those housewives who, in addition to a washing machine, have a clothes dryer.

The store sells special kits for washing wool coats. The kits are cheaper than dry cleaning services.

This includes:

1 bottle of liquid (spray) to remove dirt;
2 moistened laundry wipes;
1 ziplock bag;
instructions for use.

The tool is easy to use:

Heavily soiled areas are sprayed with a spray.
They put the item in a laundry bag, put in napkins, and lock it.
Place in the clothes dryer for half an hour at medium temperature.

After 30 minutes things are unloaded . The coat took on the appearance of being washed, it even became fluffier, the pile straightened out. The smell is amazing, fresh.

Machine

Machine washable

An automated method for cleaning a coat includes the following steps:

We are carrying out preparatory activities. If volumes allow, place the clothes in a fabric or mesh laundry bag. We load it into the drum of the machine so that it is evenly distributed inside throughout the entire volume.
We select a cleaning agent and fill the appropriate compartment of the machine.
Set the mode: “Delicate”, “Wool, silk”, “Washing blankets and pillows”, “Hand”, “Washing curtains”. Different models of washing machines offer a different list of modes. We choose the most gentle and delicate without soaking and intensive cycle.
We set the heating temperature: no more than 40 degrees.
We reduce the spin speed to 600, or remove them completely.
When washing a coat with padding polyester filler, put a couple of massage or tennis balls into the drum. They will not allow the material to roll.
Fill the rinse aid compartment with hair conditioner. It will soften the fabric and eliminate static electricity.
After completing the cycle, immediately remove the product from the machine drum and place it on a hanger or horizontal surface to dry.

Important! We wipe off stains and greasy areas before the main stage of machine washing. We carefully rinse out traces of stain remover; there should be no traces of them when loading clothes into the drum.

How to wash a camel wool item at home?

Bactrian wool can be partly part of the material from which the coat is made, or it can be used as insulation.

Camel wool is special, so caring for clothes made from it is also different. As with a wool coat, information on how to care for the item is on a tag sewn to the side seam.

Clothing containing no more than 20% camel wool can be washed, but only by hand:

The water temperature should not exceed 30°C.
It is necessary to use special detergents for wool, liquid ones containing lanolin extract.
It makes woolen items stronger and silkier.
Before washing, foam the water, lower the coat and leave for 2-3 hours.
Twisting or squeezing is not allowed. Dry on a smooth surface, placing a terry towel or sheet, away from heating appliances.
Pre-soaking for 2 hours in water not hotter than 20°C is acceptable.

Items containing more than 20% camel hair should not be wetted at all . Manufacturers do not recommend washing coats with camel wool insulation, but only dry clean them.

Removing stains

Partial dry cleaning is the best option for outerwear. If you know how to deal with stains, you don’t have to wash the entire item; it’s enough to air it periodically and store it properly. We present the simplest methods for removing stains and remind you that they need to be eliminated immediately after they appear, without waiting for them to penetrate deep into the fabric.

Treat individual contaminated areas at home with a soap solution: drop a little detergent or shampoo onto a damp cloth and wipe off the stain. Collect the remaining foam with a rag moistened with clean water.
You can sprinkle talcum powder on the problem area, shaking out the residue after an hour. If you don't have talc at home, replace it with potato starch. Talc is especially good at removing greasy and greasy marks.
Treat a white woolen coat to remove stains with a special solution: dilute a teaspoon of salt in 4 teaspoons of ammonia. Moisten the cosmetic disc in the resulting mixture and wipe the contaminated surface with it, and finally wipe with a damp, clean cloth.

Proper care of your outerwear will always make you look good. And this is important, because traditionally you meet a person by his clothes. Remember this.

How do you like the article?