The Ultimate Guide To Washing Your Duffle Coat

Duffle coats are an investment piece that can be passed down through generations, so it's important to know how to care for them properly. While some people opt for dry cleaning their duffle coats, it is possible to wash them at home, as long as you follow some key steps to avoid shrinkage and damage to the fabric.

How to hand-wash a duffle coat

Duffle coats are an investment piece that can be worn for many years and even passed down to future generations. To ensure your duffle coat stands the test of time, it's important to care for it properly.

Before washing your duffle coat, check the care label. If the label says "dry clean only," it's best to take the coat to a professional cleaner. However, if the label says "dry clean" without "only," or includes symbols for hand-wash, gentle cycle or cold water wash only, you can consider washing the coat by hand.

Step 1: Prepare the Coat

• Use a garment brush to brush off any dirt and lint. Start from the collar and brush in a downward motion.
• Pre-treat any stains on your coat. Test any stain removal products on a small, hidden area of the coat first, such as the underside of the hem. If the colour comes off on the swab, take the coat to a professional cleaner.
• Wool coats are prone to pilling, or the formation of little fuzz balls on the surface. If there are only a few pills, try removing them by hand or with a fine-tooth comb.

Step 2: Hand-Washing

• Fill a bathtub or large basin with enough warm (not hot) water to immerse the coat. Add a small amount of a wool-safe hand-washing liquid, as per the product recommendation.
• Immerse the coat in the water and push it down, squeezing gently to ensure all parts of the coat are completely soaked.
• Let the coat soak for at least 30 minutes.
• After soaking, gently rub away any excess dirt with your hands, taking care not to scrub the coat fabric against itself to avoid marring the surface of the wool.
• Drain the dirty water and repeatedly rinse the coat with tepid water until the water runs clear.

Step 3: Drying

• After rinsing, gently squeeze out some of the excess water from the coat. Squeeze from the top down, without twisting or wringing the fabric to avoid shrinkage.
• Lay the coat on a large, thick towel and roll it up, squeezing along the length of the towel to absorb as much water as possible.
• Lay the coat flat over an indoor clothes drying rack. It may take a day or two for the coat to fully dry, so turn it at least once during the drying process to ensure it dries evenly. If you don't have a drying rack, lay the coat flat on a clean towel on top of an impermeable surface.

Tips:

• Avoid putting your duffle coat in the dryer or hanging it up to dry, as the weight of the wet wool can cause the coat to lose its shape.
• If your coat has a "funky" odour, consider airing it out by hanging it outside for a day or two.
• To protect your duffle coat from shrinking and warping in shape, do not tumble dry or hang it over a radiator or heater. If your coat gets soaked, let it drip dry in a warm place.

How to machine-wash a duffle coat

Duffle coats are an investment piece that can be handed down through generations. So, it is important to know how to care for them properly.

Firstly, always check the label. If the label says "dry clean only," then do not machine wash your duffle coat. If the label says "dry clean" without "only," you can choose to follow the manufacturer's recommendation or try washing it at home. If your coat has fur, leather, suede, or feather details, it must be dry-cleaned.

If you decide to machine wash your duffle coat, follow these steps:

Prepare the Coat:

• Brush off any dirt and lint with a garment brush. Start from the collar and brush in a downward motion.
• Pre-treat any stains on your coat. Test any stain removal products on a small, hidden area of the coat first.

Prepare the Washer:

• Let the washer drum fill with lukewarm water. Do not use hot water, as this can weaken the fibers and cause shrinkage.
• Add a wool-safe liquid detergent as the drum is filling. Check the package for the correct amount.

Wash the Coat:

• Turn the coat inside out and place it in a zippered mesh laundry bag. Ensure the coat is closed.
• Let the coat in the mesh bag soak in the wash water for at least 30 minutes. Move the bag around with your hands so that the water penetrates the entire coat. Do not add any other garments to the wash.
• Wash the coat using the wool, delicate, or hand-wash setting. This cycle should be approximately 30 minutes with a temperature between 90 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

Dry the Coat:

• Lift the coat out of the washer and squeeze out some of the excess water. Squeeze from the top down, without twisting or wringing the coat.
• Lay the coat on a large, thick towel and roll it up, squeezing along the length of the towel.
• Lay the coat flat over an indoor drying rack. It will likely take a day or two to dry, so turn it at least once to ensure it dries evenly. If you don't have a drying rack, lay the coat flat on a clean towel on an impermeable surface.

Note: Always check the care instructions and test any cleaning products on a small area first. Machine washing may not be suitable for all duffle coats, and it may cause shrinkage.

How to dry a duffle coat

Drying a duffle coat requires patience and a careful approach to avoid damaging the fabric. Here is a detailed guide on how to dry a duffle coat:

Removing Excess Water

Before drying, it is important to gently remove excess water from the coat. Lift the coat out of the washer or bathtub and squeeze out some of the excess water. It is recommended to squeeze from the top down, without twisting or wringing the fabric, as this can cause shrinkage.

Using Towels

Lay the duffle coat on a large, thick towel. Roll the coat up in the towel and gently squeeze along the length of the towel roll to absorb as much water as possible. This process helps to remove additional water without putting the coat at risk of damage.

Drying Flat

The next step is to lay the duffle coat flat for drying. Place the coat on an indoor clothes drying rack, preferably in a warm area, but away from direct heat sources like radiators or heaters. If a drying rack is unavailable, lay the coat flat on a clean, dry towel, on top of an impermeable surface.

Drying Time

Duffle coats can take a considerable amount of time to dry, usually a full day or two, depending on the coat's thickness. During the drying process, remember to turn the coat at least once to ensure even drying. If needed, replace the towel underneath with a dry one to absorb any residual moisture.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

It is crucial to avoid hanging the wet coat to dry, as the weight of the wet wool can cause the coat to stretch and lose its shape. Also, never put a duffle coat in a dryer, as this will cause the wool to shrink.

By following these steps, you can effectively dry your duffle coat while preserving its shape and quality.

How to remove stains from a duffle coat

Duffle coats are made from wool, which is naturally water-resistant and can repel a certain amount of moisture. However, the core of a wool fibre is highly absorbent, and once the outer layer is penetrated, the coat will absorb water. This can make your duffle coat heavy and cause it to smell faintly of sheep.

To protect your duffle coat from shrinking and changing shape, it is recommended that you do not tumble dry it or hang it over a radiator or heater. Instead, let it drip dry in a warm place, such as over a drying rack in your utility room.

• Before washing your coat, brush off any dirt and lint with a garment brush. Start from the collar and brush in a downward motion.
• Pre-treat any stains on your coat. Test any stain removal products on a small, less visible part of the coat, such as the underside of the hem. If the colour comes off on the swab, take the coat to a professional dry cleaner.
• For mud stains or food spills, let the mark dry and then try brushing it off with a clothes brush.
• Avoid using a stain remover, as this could remove the dye from the wool.
• For more stubborn stains, dry cleaning is recommended.
• If you decide to hand-wash your coat, fill a tub with lukewarm water and add a small amount of wool-safe detergent. Immerse the coat in the water and let it soak for at least 30 minutes. Then, gently rub away any excess dirt without scrubbing the fabric against itself. Rinse the coat with tepid water until the water runs clear.
• If you choose to machine-wash your duffle coat, use a top-loading washing machine. Let the washer drum fill with lukewarm water and add wool-safe liquid detergent.
• Turn the coat inside out and place it in a zippered mesh laundry bag. Soak the coat in the wash water for at least 30 minutes, ensuring that the water penetrates the entire coat.
• Wash the coat on a wool, delicate, or hand-wash setting at a temperature between 90 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
• After washing, gently squeeze out any excess water from the coat, working from the top down. Do not twist or wring the fabric.
• Lay the coat on a thick towel and roll it up, squeezing along the length of the towel to absorb as much water as possible.
• Finally, lay the coat flat over an indoor drying rack or on a clean towel and let it air dry. This process can take up to a few days, so be sure to turn the coat at least once to ensure even drying.

By following these steps, you can effectively remove stains from your duffle coat and maintain its shape and quality.

How to remove odours from a duffle coat

Duffle coats are made from wool, which is naturally water-resistant and can repel a certain amount of moisture. However, when wool gets wet, it releases a faint sheep-like odour. If your duffle coat smells, there are several ways to remove the odour.

Firstly, if the coat is only slightly dirty, you can try to brush off any dirt or stains with a clothes brush. If there are more stubborn stains, you can try spot-cleaning them with a mild soap, stain remover wipes, or other solvents. Be sure to test any products on a small, hidden area of the coat first, as some solvents may cause the dye to run.

If your coat is very dirty or odorous, you can try hand-washing it in lukewarm water with a small amount of mild detergent. Fill a bathtub or large basin with warm water and add detergent, then immerse the coat and let it soak for at least 30 minutes. After soaking, gently rub away any remaining dirt, then drain the tub and rinse the coat with tepid water until the water runs clear. Avoid scrubbing or rubbing the fabric together, as this can damage the surface of the wool.

Once you have washed your coat, gently squeeze out the excess water, then lay the coat on a thick towel and roll it up to absorb more moisture. Finally, lay the coat flat on an indoor drying rack or a clean towel and leave it to air-dry. Do not be tempted to put your coat in the dryer or hang it up to dry, as the weight of the wet wool can cause the coat to lose its shape.

If you want to avoid washing your coat, you can try simply airing it out by hanging it outside for a day or two. Alternatively, you can try using an odour-removing product like 'Renuzit' or baking soda.

Frequently asked questions