Wool is a warm and durable material. Wool coats will last a long time if cared for properly. It is important to wash wool coats every few months. However, you need to wash your wool coat properly so that the fibers don't break, shrink, or change. Some wool coats may be machine washable, but it's best to wash them by hand to be on the safe side. Also, don't dry your wool coat in a tumble dryer, as the coat can shrink.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Preparing the Wool Coat
Step 1. Read the coat care label
You need to read the wool coat care label before washing it. This label contains instructions for properly washing and caring for the coat. Read the label for the information below:
- Determining whether the coat can be washed in the washing machine or not
- Which wash cycle is recommended (if you can use a washing machine)
- What kind of detergent or soap to use
- Coat washing and care instructions
- Instructions for drying the coat
- Determine whether the coat should only be dry cleaned or not.
Step 2. Brush the coat
Use a special clothing brush and then wipe the entire surface of the coat to remove dust, dirt, food debris, mud, and other small adhering objects. So that the coat does not become too smooth, brush from the collar down.
You can use a damp cloth to clean your coat if you don't have a clothes brush
Step 3. Clean the stain
Examine the coat for dirt, food debris, and other adhering stains. To clean the stain, apply a small amount of mild detergent to the stained area. Rub the detergent gently with your fingers until the dirt or stain is gone.
- Even if there are no stains, clean the collar, cuffs, and armpits of the wool coat.
- You can also use a stain-only soap, cashmere, or wool shampoo to remove stains from your wool coat.
Part 2 of 4: Hand Washing Coats
Step 1. Clean the tub to wash the coat
Clean the tub with soapy water and a sponge. After that, rinse with clean water. This is done so that the place to wash the wool coat is really clean. In addition, this is also done so that the tub dirt does not stick to the coat.
If you don't have a tub for washing your coats, you can wash them in a sink or basin
Step 2. Fill the tub with water and detergent
After the tub is cleaned, fill it with lukewarm water. While filling the tub with water, add 30 ml of liquid mild detergent or baby shampoo to the tub. Fill the tub full enough to allow the wool coat to be completely submerged when washed.
Use lukewarm water, not hot water. Hot water can make the wool coat shrink
Step 3. Soak the wool coat
Put the wool coat in the water. Push the coat down until it is completely submerged in the water. Let the coat soak for 30 minutes. Squeeze the entire coat by hand to make sure the detergent water absorbs well.
Soaking the coat will keep it from shrinking
Step 4. Scrub the coat to remove any adhering dirt
After soaking for 1-2 hours, rub the soiled area of the coat with your hands to remove any stains and dirt. After that, shake the coat submerged in water to remove the dirt.
Do not rub the coat as this will damage the fibers
Step 5. Rinse the coat
Remove the detergent water from the tub. Transfer the wool coat to a large bucket. Rinse the tub, then fill it with clean lukewarm water. Put the coat back in the tub filled with clean water. Move the coat through the water to remove dirt and adhering detergent.
Repeat this process if there is still a lot of detergent on the coat
Part 3 of 4: Washing a Wool Coat Using a Washing Machine
Step 1. Place the coat into the wash bag
Wool coats may be machine washable. Before washing the coat, turn it over and put it in the wash bag. This is done to protect the coat from getting damaged or snagged when washed in the washing machine.
- You can use a large pillowcase if you don't have a washing bag. Tuck the coat into the pillowcase, then tie it.
- If the pillowcase doesn't hold the coat, wrap it in a sheet and tie it up.
Step 2. Add water and detergent
Fill the washing machine with lukewarm water. While the washing machine is filling with water, add 30 ml of special wool detergent or wool shampoo. Leave the washing machine filled with water and detergent.
Soaking a wool coat is the most important step when washing a coat. If the washing machine is unable to completely soak the coat, wash the coat by hand or soak it before placing it in the washing machine
Step 3. Soak the coat
Place the coat in a washing machine filled with detergent water. Press the coat down so that it is completely submerged in the detergent water. Leave the washing machine lid open. After that, let the coat soak for 30 minutes.
Soaking the coat will remove the dirt and won't shrink it
Step 4. Wash the coat
After the coat has soaked for 30 minutes, close the washer. Choose a gentle wash, hand wash, or wool option. Turn on the washing machine and start washing the coat.
- It is important to choose a gentle or wool-only wash cycle as this minimizes friction that can damage the wool.
- Make sure the washing machine temperature is on the lukewarm setting. If the temperature is too hot, the coat may shrink.
- After the wash cycle is complete, remove the coat from the washing machine, remove it from the wash bag, and return it to normal.
Part 4 of 4: Drying the Wool Coat
Step 1. Squeeze out excess water
Hold the coat over the sink or tub. Gently squeeze the coat from top to bottom to remove excess water. Do not squeeze or twist the coat so that it does not stretch or deform.
When squeezing the bottom of the coat, squeeze the top of the coat again and repeat the process
Step 2. Roll up using a towel
Lay the towel on the table. Place the coat flat on the towel. Roll up the towel and coat at the same time, just like rolling spring rolls. After rolling up the towel and coat, squeeze the towel to absorb excess water from the coat.
- Do not twist the coat while it is being rolled up in a towel.
- Unroll the towel and take the coat.
Step 3. Lay the coat flat and let it dry
Replace wet towels with clean, dry ones. Lay the coat on a towel and let it dry on its own. The next day, turn the coat over so the other side can dry. The coat will dry completely after 2-3 days.
- Never hang a coat that is still wet as the fibers can stretch and deform.
- Never dry a wool coat in a tumble dryer as it can shrink in size.
