Revive And Thrive: A Guide To Refreshing Women's Wool Coats

Wool coats are a timeless classic and a winter staple, but they require proper care to maintain their elegance and keep them looking new. Here are some tips to refresh your wool coat and make it last for years to come:

- Start by gently brushing your coat with a soft-bristle brush to remove surface dust, hair, and debris.

- Treat stains promptly using a gentle detergent or a wool-safe stain remover. Dab the stain gently and avoid rubbing.

- Wool coats should be professionally dry-cleaned at least once a season, especially before storing them away for the warmer months.

- Avoid over-washing your wool coat. Instead, hang it outside to air out after wearing, and spot-clean as necessary.

- Use a handheld garment steamer to remove wrinkles and freshen up your coat between washes.

- Regularly inspect your coat for any loose buttons, threads, or damaged seams, and address these issues promptly.

- When storing your wool coat for an extended period, ensure it is clean and stored in a breathable garment bag with cedar balls or lavender sachets to keep pests away.

- Remove lint and pills using a lint brush or a de-pilling comb, paying close attention to areas that pill heavily, like the sleeves.

- Restore the smoothness of your coat with a suede brush to reintegrate the fibers and give it a smooth, new look.

- Hang your coat on a broad, wooden coat hanger to maintain its shape.

Hand-washing a wool coat

Step 1: Prepare the Coat

Before washing, gently brush your coat with a soft-bristle brush to remove surface dust, lint, hair, and debris. Pay extra attention to areas like the cuffs, collar, and armpits. If there are any stains, pretreat them by gently rubbing a mixture of cool water and a gentle detergent onto the affected areas. Wait for at least 10 minutes before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Fill the Tub

Fill a bathtub, large sink, or plastic storage tub with lukewarm water. Add a mild liquid detergent or a gentle wool wash specifically designed for wool fabrics. Avoid using hot water, as this can damage the wool fibres.

Step 3: Soak the Coat

Fully submerge the coat in the water and detergent mixture. Swish it gently for a couple of minutes and then let it soak for around 30 minutes to an hour. Do not exceed one hour, as prolonged soaking may damage the wool.

Step 4: Agitate and Rinse

After soaking, gently agitate the fabric with your hands. Squeeze each section of the coat gently to help remove any remaining dirt or stains. Avoid twisting or rubbing the coat excessively, as this can cause the fibres to become misshapen or felted together. Lift the coat from the soapy water and drain the tub. Refill the tub with fresh lukewarm water and place the coat back in to rinse. Repeat the rinsing process until no more soap residue appears in the water.

Step 5: Remove Excess Moisture

Once the coat is free of soap, gently lift it from the water and squeeze out the excess water, starting from the top of the coat. Do not wring or twist the fabric. Lay several large, thick towels on a flat surface and place the coat on top, shaping it to lie as smoothly as possible. Roll up the towels with the coat inside to absorb moisture. If necessary, repeat this step with fresh, dry towels.

Step 6: Air Dry

Find a flat surface where you can lay the coat flat to dry. The coat should not be hung to dry, as the weight of the wet wool can cause it to stretch and lose its shape. Allow the coat to air dry completely, which may take up to 48 hours. Turning the coat and replacing wet towels after 24 hours can speed up the drying process. Avoid placing the coat in direct sunlight or near sources of direct heat, as this can damage the fabric.

Machine-washing a wool coat

Brush and Pretreat Stains

Before machine-washing, start by brushing away any loose soil or dirt from the coat. Use a clothes brush and hang the coat on a sturdy hanger. Begin at the shoulders and carefully brush down each section to remove the loose soil. Pretreat any stains in the same way you would before hand-washing. Make sure to empty the pockets and button up or zip the coat to prevent snags. It is recommended to turn the coat inside out before machine-washing.

Set the Washer Cycle and Water Temperature

Set your washing machine to the wool or gentle cycle. If your machine doesn't have a wool cycle, opt for the gentlest cycle available. Set the water temperature to lukewarm or cold. Avoid using hot water, as it can damage the wool fibres. If possible, select the slowest final spin cycle to reduce the risk of stretching the fabric.

Choose a Wool-Safe Detergent

Select a gentle wool wash or a mild liquid detergent. Avoid using regular detergents or harsh chemicals as they can damage the wool fibres. Follow the instructions on the product and add the recommended amount to your washer.

Use a Washing Bag

Place your wool coat inside a large mesh washing bag to provide an extra layer of protection and prevent snags. If you don't have a mesh bag, you can use a white pillowcase and tie the top closed. This will help keep your coat safe from damage and reduce friction with other items in the washer.

Air-Dry the Coat

Once the washing cycle is complete, carefully remove the coat from the washing bag and turn it right side out. Avoid wringing or twisting the coat to remove excess water, as this can cause the fibres to become misshapen. Instead, gently squeeze the coat to remove excess moisture. Lay the coat flat on a mesh drying rack or thick towels, shaping it to ensure it dries smoothly. Allow the coat to air-dry away from direct heat sources.

Frequency of Machine-Washing

It is recommended to machine-wash your wool coat at the end of the season or when it becomes notably soiled. Wool coats don't require frequent washing, as it can lead to shrinkage and damage over time. Between washes, you can hang your coat outside on a breezy day to air it out and remove any odours.

Removing stains from a wool coat

Step 1: Brush the Coat

Use a soft-bristled brush to gently brush the coat. This will help to remove surface dust and lint, preventing them from setting into the fabric. Pay close attention to areas that are more prone to pilling, such as the sides of the sleeves that brush against the torso of the coat. You can also use a clothes brush to remove dust, hair, and debris. Hang the coat on a sturdy hanger and carefully brush down each section, starting at the shoulders.

Step 2: Treat Stains

For small stains and spill marks, spot cleaning is usually sufficient. Mix a small amount of gentle detergent (a gentle wool wash or a mild liquid detergent) with cool water on a cloth. You can also use a small amount of wool wash or detergent mixed with water to moisten and rub at the stain with a clean white cloth. Gently dab the stained area with the cloth, patting rather than rubbing. Avoid using harsh chemicals as these can damage the coat. If you need more stain removal power, try adding a small amount of stain gel directly to the stain and leave for a minute or two before wiping it off with a clean, damp cloth. Alternatively, you can use a solution of half clear white vinegar and half water. Always test any cleaning solution on a small, hidden part of the coat before applying it to visible areas.

Step 3: Soak the Coat (if needed)

If your coat requires a deeper clean, you can hand wash it or use a washing machine. Before soaking or washing the coat, check the care label for instructions. If the label says "Dry Clean Only," it is best to leave it to the professionals. However, if the label does not specify dry cleaning, you can proceed with hand washing or machine washing.

Step 4: Hand Washing (if applicable)

Fill a tub or sink with lukewarm water and add a small amount of mild liquid detergent. Dip the wool coat into the mixture and swish it around for a couple of minutes. Then, let it soak for about an hour. After soaking, rub the coat gently to remove any remaining dirt and stains. Rinse the coat with fresh water until all the detergent is removed. Do not twist or wring the coat, as this can cause the fibers to become misshapen. Instead, gently squeeze the water out of the coat.

Step 5: Machine Washing (if applicable)

Place the coat into a wash bag, or a pillowcase with the top tied closed, to protect it from damage and rubbing. Use lukewarm or cold water and set the washer to a gentle cycle with a low spin speed. Add a mild detergent to the washer, following the product instructions. After about 10 minutes of washing, drain the soapy water and refill the machine with fresh water. Run the cycle again to rinse the coat. Repeat this process until no soap residue remains in the coat.

Step 6: Drying the Coat

Whether you hand wash or machine wash your wool coat, it is important to avoid hanging the coat to dry. The weight of the wet wool can cause the coat to become misshapen. Instead, lay the coat flat on a towel in a well-ventilated area, and allow it to air dry. Avoid direct sunlight, as this may stiffen the fabric. You can also roll the coat up in a towel to help absorb excess moisture before laying it flat to dry.

Drying a wool coat

Removing Excess Moisture

After washing your wool coat, it's crucial to remove excess moisture before proceeding to the drying stage. Gently lift the wet coat from the water, taking care not to wring it out. Instead, squeeze the coat gently, starting from the top, to remove the water. Repeat this process until the coat is no longer dripping wet.

Drying the Coat

Lay out several large, thick terry towels on a flat surface. Place the coat on the towels and shape it as smoothly as possible. Roll up the towels with the coat inside to absorb the remaining moisture. If the coat is still very wet, consider using fresh, dry towels and repeating the process.

It's important to note that you should never hang a wool coat to dry. The weight of the wet wool can cause the coat to stretch and lose its shape. Instead, lay the coat flat on a drying rack or a fresh towel and allow it to air dry. This process can take up to 48 hours, and turning the coat and replacing wet towels after 24 hours can speed up the drying.

Additionally, avoid placing the coat on a direct heat source, such as a radiator or in front of a heater, as this can damage the wool fibres.

Drying with a Dryer

While it is not recommended to put a wool coat in a dryer due to the risk of shrinkage and fabric distortion, there are alternative methods to speed up the drying process:

• Use a hairdryer on a low heat setting to gently blow dry the coat, keeping the dryer at a safe distance to avoid overheating the fabric.
• Place the coat on a sturdy hanger and hang it in a well-ventilated room. This will allow the air to circulate and help evaporate the moisture.

Final Steps

Once the coat is completely dry, it's essential to give it a final touch. Use a steamer or a steam iron on a wool setting to remove any wrinkles and restore the coat's smoothness. Always refer to the care label for specific instructions, as some coats may have special requirements.

Now your wool coat should be fresh, clean, and ready to be stored or worn again!

Storing a wool coat

Before storing your wool coat, it is important to clean it thoroughly. Brush the coat with a soft-bristle brush to remove any surface dust and lint. Pay close attention to areas that are more prone to pilling, such as the sleeves. You can also use a clothes brush to remove hair, dust, and debris. If there are any stains, treat them promptly with a wool-safe stain remover. Blot the stain with a clean cloth, working from the outside in to prevent spreading.

Once your coat is clean, it's time to prepare it for storage. If you're storing the coat for an extended period, consider adding moisture-absorbing silica gel packets to the storage container to prevent mould and mildew. Place the coat in a breathable garment bag to protect it from dust and moths. You can also add cedar balls or lavender sachets to the bag to keep pests away.

Choose a sturdy, broad wooden coat hanger to maintain the shape of the coat. Hanging the coat on a wooden hanger in a well-aerated closet will help the wool fibres breathe and retain their original shape. Avoid folding or stuffing the coat, as this can crush the fibres and cause creases.

Finally, make sure the storage area is cool, dark, and dry. Wool is sensitive to light and heat, so it's best to keep the coat away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

By following these steps, your wool coat will remain in good condition and be ready to wear when you need it again.

Frequently asked questions