Can my coat be machine washed?

In the harsh Russian climate, warm outerwear is indispensable in the autumn-winter period. And in spring, the return of cold weather is not uncommon. In every wardrobe or pantry, for the time being, a demi-season coat is hidden, which will then be replaced by a winter coat, warmed with filler and fur details. The very outerwear that will not only warm in bad weather, but also represent our image in the cold season of autumn and winter. And like any clothing, it needs periodic cleaning (or washing). Dry cleaning services, which have grown considerably in price since the immemorial Soviet times, increasingly make the consumer wonder whether it is possible to wash a coat in a washing machine and not spoil the thing, while saving a lot.

You can wash your coat at home in such a way so that it does not shrink, deform, fade, become covered with pellets and at the same time freshen up, get rid of dirt and stains in the collar, cuffs or sleeve edges, in the area of ​​carrying bags and pockets. To do this, you just need to follow the immutable rules of preparing a coat for washing in a washing machine, so as not to regret the results.

First, you need to determine whether the product can be subjected to water treatments by carefully studying the information indicated on the coat label. They will help to establish the composition of the material (natural or artificial) from which it is made: top of the product, lining, decoration.In addition, the pictograms on the tag can be used to determine whether washing is permitted in this particular case: manual or automated, using a washing machine. If the icon is not crossed out (a basin or square with a circle inscribed in it, representing a washing machine), the coat can be washed at home.

Having decided to wash in a washing machine, you need to pay attention to the peculiarities of the behavior of various coat materials in the process: natural, artificial (synthetic), blended.

A demi-season coat made of natural materials, made of cotton, wool, drape, cashmere, suede, can be washed in an automatic machine with the permission of the manufacturer indicated on the label, carefully observing the delicate washing cycle without spinning so as not to deform the product.

Suede leather will also require special means for leather products. A corduroy short coat is unlikely to withstand a machine wash, as well as a product with leather sleeves, let alone a leather coat. Any leather - natural or artificial - will not survive an encounter with a basin or a typewriter. It is quite possible to try bouclé wash gently using the delicate mode without spinning.

A winter coat, as a rule, is insulated with a filler, natural (for example, down-feather) or artificial (synthetic winterizer, holofiber). It is better to take a product with camel filler to a dry cleaner. Sometimes the manufacturer allows it to be washed by hand. Down can be washed in a special mode in an automatic machine, if it is quilted together with the top of the product... You can also wash a synthetic winterizer or a coat with holofiber: the stitch will prevent the filler from sliding down and will keep the shape of the product.

Outerwear on padding polyester or with holofiber is not difficult to put in order at home using an automatic machine, besides, it can be squeezed out using a centrifuge. It is undesirable to wring out a downy product in this way. It is necessary to allow the water to drain and then gently straighten, break up the lumps of fluff, distribute it evenly between the top and the lining.

The color of outerwear that is machine washed at home should not suffer in the process: shedding, acquire unusual shades and stains, whitish spots. Much depends not only on the selected mode, but also on the detergents used.

It is enough to try washing a small piece of cloth in warm water and detergent. If the water does not stain, then the damaged appearance from the water procedure does not threaten the product.

A white coat cannot always be subjected to additional bleaching, it depends on the composition of its material. It can be good for a cotton product; viscose or polyester fabric can easily turn yellow and lose the strength of the fibers.

A light-colored product also quickly becomes dirty, but you cannot use bleach.The fashionable black color of outerwear can lose its intensity, depth with frequent washing, the appearance of an extraneous shade is possible. Should pick up special detergent for black laundry, which will keep the color of the product longer. Bright colors also have their own detergents that extend the life of the product.

All washing powders and liquid products, gels are differentiated by purpose. It is enough to familiarize yourself with the manufacturer's instructions on the packaging and clarify for clothes from which material and what colors the product is intended for, whether it is suitable for machine washing or only for hand washing. Usually, the word "Automatic" on a box or bottle immediately warns of the intended use of the contents for a machine process. When washing outerwear, it is preferable to use liquid products, gels or fine powders, traces of which do not remain on the fabric at the end of the process.

You should first familiarize yourself with the capabilities of the home unit when washing delicate items such as coats. Modern models have a large number of all kinds of functions designed to facilitate home washing. It will not be difficult to choose the right option for a particular case on your own. The most modest automatic washing machines have a mode in their repertoire. "Handwash", providing a gentle process for delicate fabrics.

For natural and artificial materials of a coat, a filler with a sufficiently low water temperature (maximum 30-40C.) In accordance with the composition of the product, you can choose the modes "Synthetics 40", "Cotton 40", quick wash "Mini 30", for mixed fabrics "Mix 30" , "ECO Cotton 40", "Wool 40". Higher temperatures can lead to shrinkage and deformation of the product, discoloration, and the appearance of pellets. There are models that provide washing in cold water. This is the best setting for camel-filled wool. There are special programs for washing woolen and downy items, they are indicated by the corresponding icons - pictograms: "Roll of wool" and "Feather".

It is important to program an additional or repeated rinse during the washing process in order to completely free the product from residual detergents and to avoid subsequent stains on the fabric after drying.

Correctly washing your coat in a washing machine at home and getting a good result will help adherence to a certain sequence of steps:

• We study the label on the coat, determine the possibility and the proposed washing conditions; compare with the previously studied capabilities of the home washing machine.
• We empty the coat pockets, remove (unfasten or carefully strip off) fur and large metal parts, fasten all existing zippers (and on the pockets too), turning the product inside out.
• We carefully load the thing into the car.
• We close the drum, measure and load the pre-selected detergent in the required amount.
• We turn on the automatic machine in the network, turn the water regulator to the working position.

• We set the washing program selected in advance on the machine control panel (“Hand wash” or material + temperature mode, “Additional rinse”, centrifuge speed).
• Press the button that launches the program.
• At the end of the specified program, open the drum; Carefully taking out the coat, we immediately place it on a “coat hanger” or on a place prepared in the bathroom for the outflow of excess water.
• When the excess water drains, the coat can be lightly squeezed without twisting to remove excess water and gently straightened so that there are no creases.
• The coat is placed to dry in a well-ventilated place.

Improper drying after washing can negatively affect the appearance of the coat, deform it. In places of creases and folds of the fabric of the product, dye streaks may form. For vertical drying, you can use a hanger ("coat hanger") of a suitable size so that the shoulders and back of the clothes do not stretch out. Can be dried horizontallyby spreading and straightening the coat according to the shape of the product. You will have to monitor the process and turn it over for even drying. In both cases, the place should be well ventilated so that the item does not absorb foreign odors or acquire a musty, musty aroma.

It is advisable to try to remove stains on outerwear before starting the general wash. Ideally, you can do this at home if you have patience. The main thing is not to delay the moment of removal: the fresher the stain, the easier it is to remove it. It would be nice to know the nature of the spot. If blood accidentally gets on your clothes from an accidental wound, you just need to first wash it off with plenty of water, never using soap... Then, during the subsequent wash, there will be no traces of blood protein left with the detergent.

For this, treatment with a tampon or cotton pad (or cotton swab) is carried out from the periphery to the center of the spot, having previously moistened the area around it with water. A good result is obtained by using regular hairspray.

Relatively fresh greasy stains are removed with a solvent (for example, gasoline), it is good if you can first remove excess grease by sprinkling with salt or starch or blotting it with a napkin and a heated iron. Modern means - stain removers, specialized (for certain stains) and universal (for any type of Vanish), will help to cope with the task no worse than home life hacks from grandmother's advice. You can also try to solve the problem with fuel oil with the help of home chemistry, if you do not mind the coat at all. Still, dry cleaning with the help of professionals is safer.

If the manufacturer of your thing is categorically against water procedures in any mode (both manual and automated), it remains to rely on dry cleaning. You can try to freshen the coat by hand, using a brush or sponge slightly moistened with foam of a detergent solution, or simply take it to the nearest dry cleaner and entrust your favorite thing to specialists.

If dry cleaning is not affordable at all, and the coat is not too new, you can still try to take a risk and wash it carefully, despite the manufacturer's prohibitions. But this is completely your decision and all the risks are yours. Be prepared for a new purchase.

Strict adherence to the recommendations of a whole army of specialists: manufacturers of outerwear, washing machines, cleaning products, will save property and finances.

For information on how to properly care for your coat, see the next video.