Different Types of Coats Washing Guide

Most of the coats are quite expensive and you surely do not want them to get damaged only after a few seasons of use. In order to ensure their longevity, you certainly need to put in some time and effort into their proper maintenance and cleaning/washing. Moreover, if you know the right method to wash and clean the type of coats that you own, it will also avoid you from ending up at the dry cleaner’s doorstep now and then. Below mentioned are the detailed cleaning steps for all the major types of coats that you may own.

Things to keep in mind while washing your Coat:

First and foremost, fasten all the zippers as well as buttons to prevent any kind of damage to the coat while washing.

Use only strong wooden hangers or padded hangers to retain the shape of the coats to hang after washing.

Repair any kind of ripped or loose seems before washing to prevent the fill from coming out.

Washing Different Types of Coats:

1. Woolen Coat
2. Fleece Coats
3. Waterproof Coats
4. Vinyl Coats
5. Leather Coats
6. Suede Coats
7. Down Coats
8. Faux Fur Coats
9. Natural Fur Coats

1. Woolen Coat

To retain the structured feel of a woolen coat, most of the manufacturers use padding and interfacing which is mostly not washable. Moreover, if your coat needs a thorough cleaning, it is recommended for you to get it clean from a professional dry cleaner. However, if you just need to freshen up your coat or need to spot clean, it can be done at home with a home dry cleaning kit.

Equipment Required:

• Home Dry-Cleaning Kit
• Dryer
• Sturdy Hanger
• Pressing Cloth
• Steaming Iron

Steps to follow:

1. Pre-treat the stains: Use the stain-remover pen that comes along the dry-cleaning kit to remove any stains.
2. Put the Coat in Dryer Bag: Load the coat into the dryer bag with a damp cleaning cloth that came with the kit. It is recommended to clean only one woolen coat per bag. Do not forget to refer to the instructions mentioned on the bag.
3. Air Dry: Immediately after removing the coat from the bag, hang it with a sturdy wooden hanger to air dry.
4. Remove Wrinkles: To remove the wrinkles after drying, press the coat carefully at home after reading the label instructions.

2. Fleece Coats

Fleece can actually act as a magnet for dust particles and animal hair. Therefore, it is very important to wash them on a regular basis to keep them fresh and clean.

Equipment Required:

• Laundry Detergent
• Stain Remover
• Washer
• Dryer
• Hanger
• Drying Rack

Steps to follow:

1. Pre-treat the stains: Treat any kind of visible stains by following the steps required for the particular types of stains.
2. Sort it from particular fabrics: Do not wash your fleece coat with any kind of lint-producing fabric. Lint and pet hair can stick to fleece even after washing.
3. Select the Washer Cycle: You can wash fleece coats in cold or warm water with a heavy-duty detergent on a permanent-press cycle with a cold rinse. It will prevent forming any kind of wrinkles
4. Tumble Dry: Never try drying your fleece coat on high heat. Tumble dry the coat for a while and remove it while it is still damp to air dry it completely.

3. Waterproof Coats

To retain the waterproof quality of your coat, it is very important to wash it carefully. Never put your waterproof coats in the dryer or expose them to high heat. To protect the finishing of your waterproof coat, always wash it in cool water with a gentle detergent.

Equipment Required:

• Laundry Detergent
• Stain Remover
• Washer
• Hanger
• Drying Rack

Steps to follow:

1. Pre-treat Stains: Based on the type of stain, use the gentlest procedure to remove it.
2. Select the Washer Cycle: You can use a detergent, formulated for waterproof clothing or a gentle detergent. Wash on permanent-press cycle with cold water. Keep the spin speed low to reduce wrinkling.
3. Air Dry: Do not put your coat in a dryer. Hang it with a wooden hanger to air dry.

4. Vinyl Coats

Vinyl coats are quite easy to clean and wash. Moreover, most of the vinyl coats are machine-washable, however; do not forget to go through the care instructions.

Equipment Required:

• Laundry Detergent
• Washer
• Hanger
• Drying Rack
• White cloth

Steps to Follow:

1. Remove Stains: Use a damp white cloth to wipe off the stains from the surface of vinyl coats.
2. Select the Washer Cycle: Wash your vinyl coat in cold water with regular detergent on the permanent-press cycle. Keep the spin cycle speed low to reduce wrinkling.
3. Air Dry: High heat can melt the vinyl fabric, therefore; never put your vinyl coat in the dryer. Hang the coat to air dry.

5. Leather Coats

Leather Coats can actually last for eternity if regularly proper care is given to them. Leather coats can surely be taken care of at home, however; if you have highly expensive clothing, then consider taking them to a professional dry cleaner.

Equipment Required:

• Leather Conditioner
• Saddle Soap
• Large Tub
• White Cloth
• Sturdy Hanger

Steps to Follow:

1. Test the Colorfastness: Test the colorfastness by using a clean white damp cloth on any hidden spot of your coat. If even the slightest of color gets transferred to the cloth, do not proceed with the cleaning process any further.
2. Remove Stains: Most of the stains can be removed from the leather coat by simply wiping them with a white damp cloth. However, deep stains of ink or mildew might need some extra effort.
3. Prepare for Washing: After emptying all the pockets of your coat, turn it inside out. Fill a large tub with lukewarm water and add a gentle liquid detergent to it, recommended for delicate items. Mix it thoroughly.
4. Soak the Coat in Water: Soak the coat completely in water and swish to ensure that the entire lining is wet. Allow the coat to soak for around 10 minutes and try removing the stains with a soft brush if required.
5. Rinse Thoroughly: Remove the coat from the solution. Squeeze out the moisture without wringing the leather. Refill the tub with clean water and rinse the coat. Repeat it several times until all of the soap and soil gets removed.
6. Hang Dry: Turn the coat on its right side and hang it with a wooden hanger over the tub to dry. Do not expose your coat to direct heat or sunlight. Allow the coat to dry completely over a few days naturally.
7. Condition the Coat: Use a good quality leather conditioner to make the leather supple and soft like a new one.

6. Suede Coats

Most of the suede coats need professional dry cleaning. However, if you want to remove only gentle oil stains or scuffs, it can be done at home. Go through the care instructions carefully before trying anything as different suede coats may act differently.

Equipment Required:

• Baby Powder
• Clean & soft white cloth
• Pencil eraser
• Suede brush

Steps to Follow:

1. Remove Dust from the Surface: Suede easily collects dust and debris. Try using a suede brush to remove surface dust from your coat to keep it clean and long-lasting.
2. Treat Stains: Refer to a stain removal guide for suede to treat mild stains home. After each step of treating the stains, consider brushing the stained area to restore its smoothness. For treating oil stains, sprinkle the affected area with baby powder to get the oil absorbed. Leave the powder to soak oil for a few hours and brush it afterward with a soft brush. Repeat the process till the oil is completely removed.
3. Treat Scuff Marks: Use a soft clean cloth to rub the area with the dried stain. If the stain remains, try rubbing it with a pencil eraser. If the stain still exists, rub it gently with an emery nail.

7. Down Coats

Down coats can actually be really tricky to wash and clean. If proper procedure is not followed, it may even lead to excessive clumping. Also, do not forget to ensure that the outer fabric used for the coat is washable.

Equipment Required:

• Down Wash
• Stain Remover
• Washer
• Dryer
• Wool Dryer Balls
• Sturdy Hanger

Steps to Follow:

1. Treat Stains: Pre-treat any kind of stains from the coat using the typical stain removal guideline.
2. Load the Washer: Load your coat into a front-load or a high-efficiency top-load machine. Avoid using a machine with a central agitator for a gentle wash. Use a detergent formulated specifically for down and wash with warm or cool water.
3. Use low heat for drying: Place the coat in the dryer on low heat and add wool dryer balls to help fluff your coat. In between, stop the dryer and massage the fabric with your hands to prevent forming clumps.
4. Hang Dry: Remove the coat from the dryer before completely drying and hang it on a sturdy hanger to air dry.

8. Faux Fur Coats

Most of the faux fur coats are washable. However, some coats may have an inner lining that may need extra care, therefore; read the care label carefully before proceeding further. It is always recommended to hand wash a fur coat. Also, never dry a faux fur coat in the dryer or expose it to high heat to prevent melting.

Equipment Required:

• Gentle Detergent
• Large Basin
• Indoor drying rack
• Soft brush

Steps to Follow:

1. Soak the Coat in Gentle Detergent: Mix 1-2 teaspoons of gentle detergent in a large tub or a bathtub. Completely, soak your faux fur coat into the solution for 10-15 minutes.
2. Drain & Rinse: Take out the coat and squeeze gently to drain out the soapy water. Refill the tub with clean water and rinse the coat until all soap is drained out.
3. Remove excess water: Squeeze the coat to drain out the excess water and use towels to soak in as much water from the coat as possible.
4. Drip Dry: Use a padded hanger to hang the coat on an indoor drying rack and allow it to drip dry. Allow it to dry naturally and prevent direct sunlight.
5. Smoothen the Fur: Keep repositioning the coat to prevent any kind of marks and smoothen the rough areas with your hands.
6. Brush the Coat: Use a soft brush on drying to pick up and dust particles or orphaned fur fibers.

9. Natural Fur Coats

Avoid treating or washing your expensive natural fur coats at home. Specialized care is needed to maintain a natural fur coat on a regular basis. It may even become highly dry if not maintained properly over time.

Storing the Coats Carefully:

If you do not follow proper storing instructions, all your cleaning and washing efforts may go in vain. Below mentioned are some of the points that you may follow to ensure the longevity of your coats.

1. Coat materials like wool, leather, suede, and down need space to breathe, therefore, try hanging them on sturdy wooden or padded hangers to retain their shape as well as to avoid wrinkling. Maintain some space on either side of the hanger. You can even use fabric bags to cover your coats from dust and mildew.
2. If you do not have ample space to hang all your coats, you can consider storing your fleece coats in plastic storage boxes. Fold them gently and stack one over the other.
3. Place all your coats in a cool, dry, and, dark place. It will prevent moisture build-up as well as mold, retain its original color, and increase the longevity of your expensive coats.

We can assure you without a doubt that the above-mentioned information would surely retain the original charm of your expensive and beloved coats for years to come. Moreover, it will also allow you to save a whole lot of money from spending on dry cleaners. Try washing and/or cleaning your coats at least twice in a season to ensure longevity as well as a fresh look.