Wool coats require special care when washing because of their delicate material. When washing your coat yourself, you can take the following steps to protect your garment:
1. Check the care label
Before you start washing, check the care label of your coat. Most wool coats are recommended to be dry cleaned, but if the care label says it can be washed in water, follow the steps below.
2. Hand or machine wash choice
Hand washing is the safest option, especially for high-quality wool coats. Even if you can machine wash it, it is best to use cold water and a delicate cycle.
3. Prepare warm water
Use cold or warm water (about 30°C) to wash your wool coat. Too hot water can cause wool to shrink or lose its shape.
4. Use a wool-specific detergent
Choose a detergent designed for wool, and avoid using regular laundry detergent. Wool detergents are gentle and will not damage wool fibers.
5. Gentle scrubbing
Dissolve the detergent in water and gently soak the coat, avoiding rubbing or pulling to avoid damaging the wool fibers.
6. Avoid over-washing
Wool coats do not need to be washed every time unless they are very dirty or have odors. Proper care can make the coat last longer.
7. Rinse it clean
Rinse the coat with clean water to avoid residual detergent.
8. Remove excess water
After washing, do not wring the wool coat hard. You can press the coat gently to squeeze out the excess water, then wrap the coat with a clean towel and press gently to absorb the excess water.
9. Drying
Lay the wool coat flat on a clean towel, avoid hanging it to prevent deformation. It is best to dry the coat in a well-ventilated area, but avoid direct sunlight. Avoid using a dryer or heat source to speed up drying.
10. Reshape
While the coat is drying, you can gently adjust the shape of the garment to ensure that the outline of the garment remains the same. You can gently iron it with a steam iron (low temperature) to help restore the softness and sheen of the wool.
Precautions
Avoid bleach: Bleach can damage wool fibers, causing discoloration and brittleness.
Avoid rubbing: Excessive rubbing can cause a wool coat to lose its shape or pill.
Regular care: Wool coats require regular brushing to maintain the fiber's fluff and appearance.