How to clean any coat at home

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Detailed instructions on how to freshen and clean coats made from different types of wool, suede, leather, polyester and even neoprene. The dirt just has no chance!

Start by inspecting the product. Determine the scope of work: you just need to brush off the dust and lint, or you have a big wash. Examine the label, find out what material the coat is made of. If the composition is mixed, rely on the presence of natural fibers. Synthetic additives improve the fabric and make it easier to care for, while materials of plant and animal origin are more demanding to clean.

Pay attention to the manufacturer's advice: what temperature should the water be, is it possible to use a washing machine, how to iron and dry the product. Do not neglect this information. Proper care will prolong the life of your coat and keep it looking its original.

When is the best time to go dry cleaning

• When the label clearly states such a need.
• If you are the lucky owner of a snow-white coat: any manipulations can only stain the product or make the color dull.
• If there are stains of engine oil or fuel oil on the coat: it is difficult to remove them, there is a great risk of ruining the clothes.
• If there are greasy stains on a leather coat: solvents will damage the integrity and color of the skin, and degreasers will destroy its protective film.
• If the stains cannot be removed on their own.
• If you are not confident in your abilities or the product is very dear to you.

How to clean a natural fabric coat

Woolen coat

Drap is a heavy, dense woolen fabric that does not fade, wrinkle or fade. Since products made from natural wool are afraid of hot water (they may decrease in size), we will clean the drape coat as dry as possible.

• To remove dust, brush in the direction of the pile.
• Rye bread will also help to cope with dust: spread the coat on the floor and crumble the crumb on top. Then roll the crumbs over the surface of the fabric until balls form. Brush off the rest of the crumbs (do not brush if you want to become a favorite of local pigeons).
• Try to wash stains on outerwear without washing. Dissolve some mild detergent in water and soak the dirt on the drape with this liquid. Wait 5-10 minutes and wipe the coat with a damp sponge to remove any soap particles.
• In extreme cases, you can try washing the coat, but preferably by hand and in lukewarm water (no more than 30 ° C).
• After all the bath procedures, the drape must be properly dried. Hang it on a hanger in a well-ventilated area. Allow the coat to dry completely so that it does not lose its shape.

Tweed coat

Tweed is a lightly piled, elastic woolen fabric. It gets dirty a little, practically does not wrinkle and is worn for a long time.

• Vacuum the coat to remove dust.
• If the tweed is stained, dry the stain and then brush away the dirt. This may be enough.
• If the dirt has eaten into the fabric, do the same as with the drape: moisten the dirt with soapy water, and then comb it with a damp brush.
• It is highly undesirable to wash a tweed coat. If necessary, do not use a washing machine or leave the fabric in water for a long time. Wash and rinse tweed by hand in warm (no more than 30 ° C) water.
• Dry the coat properly: on a horizontal surface between two towels to avoid deformation.
• Iron the tweed from the wrong side by placing a damp cloth between the fabric and the iron.

Cashmere coat

Cashmere is an airy undercoat combed from the barrels of fluffy mountain goats. It is a very soft and delicate material that is sensitive to external influences. Therefore, we will treat him extremely courteously.

• To remove dust from your coat, wipe it off with a damp cloth.
• Soak greasy stains with a little refined gasoline and sprinkle with talcum powder on top. Once dry, brush off any residue. Repeat the procedure again if necessary.
• To remove sweat stains, prepare cotton wool, soap, and ammonia. First wipe the dirt off with a swab soaked in soapy water, then with an ammonia swab, and then with a damp cloth.
• To remove a stain whose origin you cannot identify, mix equal proportions of glycerin and ammonia and wipe the stained area several times with this mixture. Then wipe off the remaining liquid with a damp cloth.
• Read the label carefully: some types of cashmere cannot be machine washed.
• If your coat can be washed (when it is really necessary), choose a delicate mode without spinning, water temperature no higher than 30 ° C and liquid detergents. Remember: cashmere cannot be rubbed or twisted, otherwise it will lose its shape.
• To properly dry cashmere, lightly wring it out with your hands after washing and place it on a towel spread on a horizontal surface away from heating appliances and direct sunlight. Do not dry your coat on a hanger so that it does not stretch.
• If you want to iron cashmere, do it with steam only, without touching the surface of the iron to the fabric.

Coats made from other types of wool

If you understand that your coat is made of the fluff of some animals, but do not understand which ones, follow the general recommendations for the care of woolen products. Before using any cleaning method, test it on a small, inconspicuous area of clothing.

• Remove dust and fine lint with a soft dry brush or a roller with adhesive tape.
• To add shine to a dark colored item, wipe it with a cotton swab dipped in strong black tea.
• Rubbed places on the collar or sleeves can be treated with a mixture of ammonia and salt in a ratio of 1: 4. It is rubbed with problem areas, and the remains are cleaned with a brush.
• Clean any stains from the edges to the center so that streaks will not appear on the coat.
• Remove greasy stains from the inside of the product with a cotton swab moistened with refined gasoline. Place a piece of clean cloth on the outside of the stain. When the dirt has disappeared, wipe everything off with a damp cloth.
• Alcohol stains can be removed with vinegar and alcohol. Mix equal proportions of liquids, moisten a cotton swab with the solution and wipe off the dirt.
• Other stains can be removed with a soapy water solution. Add a tablespoon of liquid soap and ammonia to 100 ml of warm water. Soak a cotton swab with the solution and treat the dirt with it. Then wipe off any soap residue with a damp cloth. For prevention, carry out this procedure regularly.
• If the coat is washable (see the label on it), do it by hand in water no hotter than 30 ° C to prevent the garment from shrinking. Preferably with a special detergent for wool. Do not twist or rub the coat to avoid creases.
• Dry all items horizontally with towels to absorb moisture. If a natural coat is hung on a hanger, it can stretch out due to its own weight, so it's better not to risk it.

Leather coat

Leather is a durable and flexible material. It is versatile and durable. A leather coat is not only a little dirty and comfortable to wear, but also does not go out of fashion.

• To remove dust from the leather, wipe it with a damp cloth.
• Light dirt and plaque will be removed by a solution of ammonia in soapy water (1-2 tablespoons of alcohol and liquid soap are enough for a glass of water). Wipe the coat with a sponge soaked in the resulting liquid, and then with a clean, damp cloth to remove any soap residues. It is useful to carry out such cleaning regularly to improve the appearance of the leather product.
• Greasy places on the collar and sleeves are wiped with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol, then lemon juice, and then a solution of glycerin.
• Wipe salt stains on the coat with table vinegar: it will wash away salt traces and give the skin a shine.
• A leather coat cannot be soaked in water for a long time, but the lining of the product often requires washing. Turn the coat inside out, dampen and lather the lining where necessary. Rub the stains by hand and rinse the fabric using the minimum amount of water. You can simply remove the soap with a damp cloth.
• At the end of the wash, hang the coat on a hanger and leave to dry completely. Do not wear wet leather items, as they can stretch.

Suede coat

Suede is a soft and velvety tanned leather, durable and pleasant to the touch. Despite the seeming difficulty in care, suede can also be cleaned at home.

• Remove dust from the coat with a cotton swab with ammonia. Wipe the product in the direction of the pile.
• To get rid of greasy and shiny spots, dilute a teaspoon of baking soda in 100 ml of milk. Apply the solution to the coat for a few minutes, and then brush it with a brush, preferably special for suede.
• Also, starch will help from oily stains: sprinkle problem areas with them, and after a couple of hours brush them off.
• Erase stains on suede with a crust of bread or a school eraser.
• Creases can be removed by holding the coat over the steam, and then straightening it on a table or hanger.
• Suede can be rinsed in 3 ° C soapy water and then rinsed in clean water. Do not soak the coat, scrub or twist it when washing. To prevent the suede from getting rough, rub it with a solution of glycerin (½ teaspoon per liter of water).
• Dry the garment properly: lay the coat on a flat surface, wipe with a dry towel and leave to dry completely.
• If the coat is wrinkled, you can iron it only from the inside out at the lowest temperature.

By the way, artificial suede differs from natural in that it cannot be washed. To clean such a coat, whisk water with any mild detergent until lather forms and apply it over the stains. Wait a couple of minutes, rub with a sponge if necessary, and then remove the remaining soap with a napkin or cloth.

How to clean a faux fabric coat

Polyester coat

Polyester is a special type of synthetic fabric made from polyester fibers. It crumples a little, retains its shape well and is easy to wash.

• Dust can be removed with a brush or simply by shaking the coat thoroughly.
• Use a stain remover to remove stains (first check the reaction on a small area of the fabric).
• Treat complex stains with table salt: sprinkle on dirt, and after half an hour wash off with soapy water.
• Remove the most stubborn stains with a 10% borax solution: apply it to the coat, then wipe off the stain with lemon juice, and then remove the residue with a damp cloth.
• The coat can be hand washed in water no hotter than 30 ° C, without twisting or crushing the fabric.
• Machine wash polyester with a mild detergent. Choose a delicate or synthetics setting.
• Do not wash polyester in hot water or use bleach; this will damage the fabric.

Neoprene coat

Neoprene is an artificial foam rubber covered with fabric on both sides. Neoprene does not retain water, stains and bacteria. It does not wrinkle or wear out.

• Did you get it dirty? Feel free to throw your coat into the washing machine: delicate mode, temperature no higher than 30 ° C, soft powder. You will have to wash twice: first the outer surface, then the wrong side.
• Dry the coat on both sides as well, avoiding direct sunlight. Turn it inside out and back out periodically.
• That's it, your neoprene coat is ready. Remember: such non-breathing products are not recommended to be worn for more than 2-3 hours a day.

Did you manage to clean your coat with our advice? Share in the comments what compliments your shiny new outerwear received on your last outing.