Reviving A Rigid Wool Coat: Secrets To Softening A Stiff Garment

There are several ways to soften a stiff wool coat. One method is to wear it regularly, as wool softens with wear and washing. Another is to soak the coat in cold water, then rinse and gently press out the water (without wringing the fabric). While the coat is still damp, apply a generous amount of hair conditioner and work it through the fibres. Leave the coat to sit for 30 minutes, then rinse out the conditioner, press out the water, and lay the coat flat on a towel to dry. It's important to avoid placing the coat near heaters or other sources of direct heat, as these can dry out the fibres.

Characteristics of softening a stiff wool coat

Soak in cold water

Soaking a stiff wool coat in cold water is an effective way to soften the fabric. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Firstly, fill a basin or container with cold water. It is important to use cold water to prevent the wool from shrinking. You will need enough water to fully submerge the coat.

Turn the coat inside out and then place it in the water, ensuring that it is completely saturated. You can gently push the coat into the water if any parts are floating. Soaking the coat in cold water will help to relax the fibres, making them softer and less itchy.

Let the coat soak for a couple of hours. Be careful not to leave it for too long, as this could cause the fibres to relax too much and the coat could stretch when you remove it from the water. A couple of hours should be enough time to effectively soften the coat without causing any damage.

After soaking, carefully remove the coat from the water, being gentle to avoid stretching the fibres. Do not wring or squeeze the coat to remove excess water, but instead, gently press the water out. You can also roll the coat in a towel to help remove excess moisture.

Once the coat is damp, you can apply a liberal amount of hair conditioner to it. Work the conditioner through the fibres, ensuring that it is distributed evenly. It is recommended to use a higher-quality conditioner, and avoid 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner products.

Let the coat sit for about 30 minutes to an hour, allowing the conditioner to work through the fibres. After this, rinse the conditioner out, gently press out the water, and lay the coat flat on a towel to air dry. Avoid placing it near heaters or other heat sources, as this can dry out the fibres.

By following these steps, you should be able to effectively soften a stiff wool coat using cold water and conditioner. It is important to note that this method works best on very dry wools, and the results may vary depending on the type of wool and the initial condition of the coat.

Use hair conditioner

To soften a stiff wool coat with hair conditioner, start by filling a basin with cold water and thoroughly soaking the coat. Drain the basin and gently press the water out—be careful not to wring the coat, as this can damage the wool fibres. While the coat is still damp, apply a liberal amount of hair conditioner and work it through the fibres. It is recommended to use a higher-quality hair conditioner, and to avoid 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner mixes.

Once you have worked the conditioner through the coat, leave it to sit in the basin for around 30 minutes to an hour. After this, rinse the conditioner out, press the coat dry, and lay it flat on a towel, away from any sources of heat, for around 24 hours. The coat should now be considerably softer.

It is worth noting that this method will only work on very dry wools, and it has its limits. It is also recommended to clean the coat before attempting to soften it.

Lanolize

Lanolizing is a process that involves applying lanolin to the inside of a wool coat to make it waterproof. Lanolin is a naturally occurring oily secretion from sheep's skin that coats the wool and protects the sheep's skin from moisture.

To lanolize your wool coat, start by filling a glass jar about one-third to half full of hot water. Add 1/2 a teaspoon of lanolin for each coat you'll be treating—this can be purchased online or from a health food store. If you're lanolizing just one coat, use 1/2 a teaspoon of lanolin; if you're doing three, use 1.5 teaspoons. Add a few drops of wool wash (a detergent specifically made for washing wool) and stir until the lanolin is completely dissolved and the mixture becomes cloudy.

Next, fill your sink with lukewarm water and pour the lanolin mixture into it, giving it a stir. Turn your wool coat inside out and submerge it in the sink, gently swishing it back and forth to ensure that both sides are treated. Leave the coat in the mixture for at least 15 minutes, but you can leave it for up to two hours for best results.

After the coat has soaked, remove it from the water and let it drip dry—do not wring or twist the fabric as this can cause it to become misshapen. Place the coat flat on a towel and roll it up to absorb excess moisture, then unroll and lay the coat flat to air dry for 2 to 3 days.

Your coat is now lanolized and ready to wear! The process will make your coat waterproof and self-cleaning, with natural odour-fighting properties.

Vinegar

Once the vinegar and water are mixed, fully submerge your coat in the solution and let it soak for around 15-20 minutes. Do not scrub or wash the coat as it soaks, but gently push it back under the water if any part of it starts to float. After it has finished soaking, remove the coat from the water and rinse it thoroughly with cold water for about 5 minutes. Gently pat out any excess water, being careful not to wring or squeeze the coat, as this could stretch the fibres.

Finally, lay the coat flat on a towel and allow it to air-dry. Depending on the thickness of the coat, this could take up to a full day. Do not hang the coat to dry, as this could stretch the fibres.

As an alternative to vinegar, you can also use hair conditioner to soften a stiff wool coat.

Wear regularly

Regular wear is one of the most effective ways to soften a stiff wool coat. Wool softens with wearing and washing, so the more you wear your coat, the softer it will become.

Before you start wearing your coat, it is recommended to have it cleaned first, as heavy wool coats can hold dirt. When you do start wearing it, you may find it helpful to wear something underneath. For example, if you're wearing a wool jumper, try wearing a thin, fitted long-sleeve shirt underneath. For wool trousers or skirts, try wearing thin, knit silk or cotton undergarments or liners.

If you want to speed up the softening process, you can try washing your coat. Fill a basin with cold water and thoroughly soak the coat. Then, drain the basin and gently press the water out (woollens should never be wrung). While the coat is still damp, apply a liberal amount of hair conditioner and work it through the fibres. Once you've worked it through the entire coat, let it sit in the basin for about 30 minutes to an hour. When you come back, rinse the conditioner out, press it dry, and lay it flat on a towel for about 24 hours. Make sure it's not placed next to any heaters, which can dry out the fibres.

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