Every end of the season comes the fateful moment: what do I do with the coat? Do I take it to the dry cleaner and spend between 10 and 30 euros, or do I risk washing it at home? The good news is that in most cases washing your wool coat at home is absolutely possible, you just need to know how to do it. And the results, with a little attention, can be truly surprising.
Furthermore, today we know that washing clothes at low temperatures and reducing dry cleaning also has a positive environmental impact: fewer chemical solvents, fewer emissions, more conscious care of your wardrobe. A small gesture that is good for your wallet and the planet.
When to wash your coat and how to prevent soiling
It is advisable to wash the coat at the end of the season, or when needed, to prevent it from absorbing odors or from forming persistent stains on the neck and armpits.
To protect it better, wear a scarf or scarf: it helps prevent streaks caused by sebum or make-up, reducing the need for frequent washing.
In case of occasional stains, you can use a stain-resistant spray specific for wool: it is useful for localized cleaning without having to wash the entire coat every time. Among the most popular products today are those based on natural enzymes, effective even when cold and less aggressive on delicate fibres.
For ordinary maintenance, however, just vacuum with the upholstery nozzle and then sanitize with a steamer or vertical steam iron: it eliminates bacteria and odors without wetting the fabric.
How to know if your wool coat can be hand washed
The first thing to do is check whether the coat can be hand washed or dry only. You can find the answer on the label: here’s how to read the washing symbols.
If the label says “dry clean only”, it is better not to risk it. Not only wool, but also details such as structured straps, synthetic fur or padding could suffer irreversible damage.
If instead you find “dry clean recommended” or simply “dry cleaning” written, you can proceed with hand washing with complete peace of mind.
How to remove lint from a wool coat
Lint is the number one enemy of the well-groomed appearance of a coat. Before washing, run it through with a clothes brush or lint roller. Alternatively, a specific electric razor for fabrics (the so-called fabric shaver), now easily available online for a few euros. Repeat the operation even after drying for a flawless result.
How to remove stains from a wool coat
The golden rule always applies to stains: the sooner you act, the better. Old stains are much more difficult to remove.
For everyday stains – collar, wrists, armpits – the most effective method is this: dissolve a teaspoon of wool detergent in a little warm water, apply the emulsion to the affected area and massage delicately with your fingertips or with a soft cloth. Leave it to act for 10 minutes, then proceed with a complete wash.
For the most stubborn stains (grease, wine, coffee), the new enzymatic detergents for delicate fibers are giving excellent results even at very low temperatures, without attacking the wool.
How to wash wool coats at home without ruining them: hand wash
The safest method remains hand washing, that of grandmother so to speak. You need a large tub or bathtub.
Fill with cold or at most lukewarm water (never hot!) and add the specific detergent for wool – about 1/4 of the bottle for a tub – pouring it directly under the tap to dissolve it well and form a little foam.
Dip the coat and move it gently to wet the fabric evenly. Leave to soak for about 30 minutes, shaking occasionally. Do not soak for more than one hour: the risk of felting or shrinkage is real.
To rinse, empty the water (you can reuse some of it for flushing the bathroom!) and refill the tub. Gently shake the coat and repeat until the water is no longer soapy.
To wring out the coat, start from the top, squeezing and pressing the fabric without ever twisting it. Progressively move downwards. Twisting wool is the quickest way to irreversibly deform it.
How to dry your wool coat
Fundamental rule: never hang wool vertically, neither on the drying rack nor on the hanger. The weight of the water would irremediably deform the garment.
Spread the coat horizontally, on a table or bench covered with clean towels, away from direct sunlight and heat sources (including radiators). Turn it periodically and change the towels when they get soaked. Drying times can vary from 12 to 24 hours depending on the thickness of the fabric.
The finishing touch for a like-new wool coat
Once dry, if new lint has formed, brush or fabric shaver again. Then, if necessary, iron the coat using a steam iron or a vertical iron, always respecting the temperature indicated on the label and using a protective cloth between the iron and the fabric to avoid shining it.
How to wash your wool coat in the washing machine
For the more daring – or simply for those with little time – the washing machine is a viable option, as long as you follow some precautions.
Place the coat (turned inside out) in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase that can be closed. Select the wool program, cold or maximum 30°C, with the spin cycle at minimum or even deactivated. Use the specific detergent for wool in the doses indicated. Some latest generation washing machines have programs dedicated to delicate items with steam cycles: if you have it, take advantage of it.
Drying and ironing follow the same rules as hand washing: horizontal, away from the sun, no hangers.
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