Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Textile artist here. You 100% can wash your coat at home! You just need to be careful to avoid completing the "felting triangle". You know the "fire triangle" of heat+fuel+oxygen = fire? Well, moisture+soap+agitation= felt. So you can do as a PP suggested and get some wool-specific wash (Euclan's okay, Unicorn fibre wash is better, SOAK makes one, there are some boutique ones I haven't tried...) and simply soak the coat in a large tub. DO NOT SWISH IT AROUND. This makes felt. Some washes don't even need to be rinsed out, which helps reduce both your labor and your risk of felting.

Check the water temperature (hot water makes dye run, cold water sets stains, most washes call for lukewarm, check instructions). Watch for dye bleed, especially if you have a technicolor dreamcoat or anything that isn't a solid color. If your product requires a rinse, or if you just want to rinse any lingering product/scents away, a splash of white vinegar in the final rinse helps remove any smells.

When the wool is still wet, there's still a chance of felting, so don't rub it dry. Roll it up in an old towel or two, and gentle press the water out (step on it). then put it flat on racks to dry. You may want to take a steamer to it when it's dry to reshape.

Dry cleaning isn't great for fibers. Most of your "dry clean only" can be hand washed. Wool is definitely washable! Just watch out for that "felting triangle" and any loose dye and you should be fine.

Yeah sure, this is fine for a sweater. But depending on the coat and how it’s constructed, you might be f$&ed. The wool will be fine but coats can have interfacing and whatever else inside.

Exactly. Between the structure, the lining, the pockets- no way would I attempt to wash a long wool coat in the bathtub then air dry.

Cool. Don't. Take it to be dry cleaned, if that's a better fit for you.

But it's possible to do, and the arguments against the procedure described above are being made by people who don't do this for a living. I do.

I don’t do this for a living, but also wash my wool at home in tub, bucket, or sink.

thanks for the the Unicorn fibre wash rec; going to look that up!

There is a difference between washing a cashmere sweater and washing a long wool overcoat.

Yes, you'll need a bigger tub and possibly a larger drying rack. :mrgreen:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Textile artist here. You 100% can wash your coat at home! You just need to be careful to avoid completing the "felting triangle". You know the "fire triangle" of heat+fuel+oxygen = fire? Well, moisture+soap+agitation= felt. So you can do as a PP suggested and get some wool-specific wash (Euclan's okay, Unicorn fibre wash is better, SOAK makes one, there are some boutique ones I haven't tried...) and simply soak the coat in a large tub. DO NOT SWISH IT AROUND. This makes felt. Some washes don't even need to be rinsed out, which helps reduce both your labor and your risk of felting.

Check the water temperature (hot water makes dye run, cold water sets stains, most washes call for lukewarm, check instructions). Watch for dye bleed, especially if you have a technicolor dreamcoat or anything that isn't a solid color. If your product requires a rinse, or if you just want to rinse any lingering product/scents away, a splash of white vinegar in the final rinse helps remove any smells.

When the wool is still wet, there's still a chance of felting, so don't rub it dry. Roll it up in an old towel or two, and gentle press the water out (step on it). then put it flat on racks to dry. You may want to take a steamer to it when it's dry to reshape.

Dry cleaning isn't great for fibers. Most of your "dry clean only" can be hand washed. Wool is definitely washable! Just watch out for that "felting triangle" and any loose dye and you should be fine.

Yeah sure, this is fine for a sweater. But depending on the coat and how it’s constructed, you might be f$&ed. The wool will be fine but coats can have interfacing and whatever else inside.

Exactly. Between the structure, the lining, the pockets- no way would I attempt to wash a long wool coat in the bathtub then air dry.

Cool. Don't. Take it to be dry cleaned, if that's a better fit for you.

But it's possible to do, and the arguments against the procedure described above are being made by people who don't do this for a living. I do.

I don’t do this for a living, but also wash my wool at home in tub, bucket, or sink.

thanks for the the Unicorn fibre wash rec; going to look that up!

There is a difference between washing a cashmere sweater and washing a long wool overcoat.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Textile artist here. You 100% can wash your coat at home! You just need to be careful to avoid completing the "felting triangle". You know the "fire triangle" of heat+fuel+oxygen = fire? Well, moisture+soap+agitation= felt. So you can do as a PP suggested and get some wool-specific wash (Euclan's okay, Unicorn fibre wash is better, SOAK makes one, there are some boutique ones I haven't tried...) and simply soak the coat in a large tub. DO NOT SWISH IT AROUND. This makes felt. Some washes don't even need to be rinsed out, which helps reduce both your labor and your risk of felting.

Check the water temperature (hot water makes dye run, cold water sets stains, most washes call for lukewarm, check instructions). Watch for dye bleed, especially if you have a technicolor dreamcoat or anything that isn't a solid color. If your product requires a rinse, or if you just want to rinse any lingering product/scents away, a splash of white vinegar in the final rinse helps remove any smells.

When the wool is still wet, there's still a chance of felting, so don't rub it dry. Roll it up in an old towel or two, and gentle press the water out (step on it). then put it flat on racks to dry. You may want to take a steamer to it when it's dry to reshape.

Dry cleaning isn't great for fibers. Most of your "dry clean only" can be hand washed. Wool is definitely washable! Just watch out for that "felting triangle" and any loose dye and you should be fine.

Yeah sure, this is fine for a sweater. But depending on the coat and how it’s constructed, you might be f$&ed. The wool will be fine but coats can have interfacing and whatever else inside.

Exactly. Between the structure, the lining, the pockets- no way would I attempt to wash a long wool coat in the bathtub then air dry.

Cool. Don't. Take it to be dry cleaned, if that's a better fit for you.

But it's possible to do, and the arguments against the procedure described above are being made by people who don't do this for a living. I do.

I don’t do this for a living, but also wash my wool at home in tub, bucket, or sink.

thanks for the the Unicorn fibre wash rec; going to look that up!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Textile artist here. You 100% can wash your coat at home! You just need to be careful to avoid completing the "felting triangle". You know the "fire triangle" of heat+fuel+oxygen = fire? Well, moisture+soap+agitation= felt. So you can do as a PP suggested and get some wool-specific wash (Euclan's okay, Unicorn fibre wash is better, SOAK makes one, there are some boutique ones I haven't tried...) and simply soak the coat in a large tub. DO NOT SWISH IT AROUND. This makes felt. Some washes don't even need to be rinsed out, which helps reduce both your labor and your risk of felting.

Check the water temperature (hot water makes dye run, cold water sets stains, most washes call for lukewarm, check instructions). Watch for dye bleed, especially if you have a technicolor dreamcoat or anything that isn't a solid color. If your product requires a rinse, or if you just want to rinse any lingering product/scents away, a splash of white vinegar in the final rinse helps remove any smells.

When the wool is still wet, there's still a chance of felting, so don't rub it dry. Roll it up in an old towel or two, and gentle press the water out (step on it). then put it flat on racks to dry. You may want to take a steamer to it when it's dry to reshape.

Dry cleaning isn't great for fibers. Most of your "dry clean only" can be hand washed. Wool is definitely washable! Just watch out for that "felting triangle" and any loose dye and you should be fine.

Yeah sure, this is fine for a sweater. But depending on the coat and how it’s constructed, you might be f$&ed. The wool will be fine but coats can have interfacing and whatever else inside.

Exactly. Between the structure, the lining, the pockets- no way would I attempt to wash a long wool coat in the bathtub then air dry.

Cool. Don't. Take it to be dry cleaned, if that's a better fit for you.

But it's possible to do, and the arguments against the procedure described above are being made by people who don't do this for a living. I do.

Anonymous wrote:The recent thread got me thinking. I don’t want all the chemicals used by dry cleaners. My wool coats are relatively gently used, but I’d still like to clean them this spring. Would it work to thoroughly brush them, and then steam at home? I can’t imagine putting them in the washing machine - these coats cost over $800 each! Worried they would not survive even a wash on my delicate cycle. Very grateful for advice - the more specific the better.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Spray heavily with vodka. The smells disappear.

This is what most burlesque performers do with our corsets and heavy beaded/blinged out/embellished items.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Textile artist here. You 100% can wash your coat at home! You just need to be careful to avoid completing the "felting triangle". You know the "fire triangle" of heat+fuel+oxygen = fire? Well, moisture+soap+agitation= felt. So you can do as a PP suggested and get some wool-specific wash (Euclan's okay, Unicorn fibre wash is better, SOAK makes one, there are some boutique ones I haven't tried...) and simply soak the coat in a large tub. DO NOT SWISH IT AROUND. This makes felt. Some washes don't even need to be rinsed out, which helps reduce both your labor and your risk of felting.

Check the water temperature (hot water makes dye run, cold water sets stains, most washes call for lukewarm, check instructions). Watch for dye bleed, especially if you have a technicolor dreamcoat or anything that isn't a solid color. If your product requires a rinse, or if you just want to rinse any lingering product/scents away, a splash of white vinegar in the final rinse helps remove any smells.

When the wool is still wet, there's still a chance of felting, so don't rub it dry. Roll it up in an old towel or two, and gentle press the water out (step on it). then put it flat on racks to dry. You may want to take a steamer to it when it's dry to reshape.

Dry cleaning isn't great for fibers. Most of your "dry clean only" can be hand washed. Wool is definitely washable! Just watch out for that "felting triangle" and any loose dye and you should be fine.

Yeah sure, this is fine for a sweater. But depending on the coat and how it’s constructed, you might be f$&ed. The wool will be fine but coats can have interfacing and whatever else inside.

Exactly. Between the structure, the lining, the pockets- no way would I attempt to wash a long wool coat in the bathtub then air dry.

Cool. Don't. Take it to be dry cleaned, if that's a better fit for you.

But it's possible to do, and the arguments against the procedure described above are being made by people who don't do this for a living. I do.

Anonymous wrote:Spray heavily with vodka. The smells disappear.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Textile artist here. You 100% can wash your coat at home! You just need to be careful to avoid completing the "felting triangle". You know the "fire triangle" of heat+fuel+oxygen = fire? Well, moisture+soap+agitation= felt. So you can do as a PP suggested and get some wool-specific wash (Euclan's okay, Unicorn fibre wash is better, SOAK makes one, there are some boutique ones I haven't tried...) and simply soak the coat in a large tub. DO NOT SWISH IT AROUND. This makes felt. Some washes don't even need to be rinsed out, which helps reduce both your labor and your risk of felting.

Check the water temperature (hot water makes dye run, cold water sets stains, most washes call for lukewarm, check instructions). Watch for dye bleed, especially if you have a technicolor dreamcoat or anything that isn't a solid color. If your product requires a rinse, or if you just want to rinse any lingering product/scents away, a splash of white vinegar in the final rinse helps remove any smells.

When the wool is still wet, there's still a chance of felting, so don't rub it dry. Roll it up in an old towel or two, and gentle press the water out (step on it). then put it flat on racks to dry. You may want to take a steamer to it when it's dry to reshape.

Dry cleaning isn't great for fibers. Most of your "dry clean only" can be hand washed. Wool is definitely washable! Just watch out for that "felting triangle" and any loose dye and you should be fine.

Yeah sure, this is fine for a sweater. But depending on the coat and how it’s constructed, you might be f$&ed. The wool will be fine but coats can have interfacing and whatever else inside.

Exactly. Between the structure, the lining, the pockets- no way would I attempt to wash a long wool coat in the bathtub then air dry.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These cannot go in washing machine.

Your options:

-brush and steam at home.
-hang out in the bright sunshine for several hours and brush
-take outside on a cold snowy day and cover in snow then shake and brush and let hang outside for a while. Best if sunny too.

If you have an old-style top-loader that you're sure doesn't agitate when the lid is open, you can use that as your wash/rinse bin. Let it fill as usual, put the coat in, let it soak with the lid open, remove the coat, close to finish cycle (skipping agitation, if your machine allows), and press coat dry while machine drains. Just triple check that it's not going to agitate (and make sure no well-meaning family member closes it when you're not looking). This makes draining the wash a lot easier.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Textile artist here. You 100% can wash your coat at home! You just need to be careful to avoid completing the "felting triangle". You know the "fire triangle" of heat+fuel+oxygen = fire? Well, moisture+soap+agitation= felt. So you can do as a PP suggested and get some wool-specific wash (Euclan's okay, Unicorn fibre wash is better, SOAK makes one, there are some boutique ones I haven't tried...) and simply soak the coat in a large tub. DO NOT SWISH IT AROUND. This makes felt. Some washes don't even need to be rinsed out, which helps reduce both your labor and your risk of felting.

Check the water temperature (hot water makes dye run, cold water sets stains, most washes call for lukewarm, check instructions). Watch for dye bleed, especially if you have a technicolor dreamcoat or anything that isn't a solid color. If your product requires a rinse, or if you just want to rinse any lingering product/scents away, a splash of white vinegar in the final rinse helps remove any smells.

When the wool is still wet, there's still a chance of felting, so don't rub it dry. Roll it up in an old towel or two, and gentle press the water out (step on it). then put it flat on racks to dry. You may want to take a steamer to it when it's dry to reshape.

Dry cleaning isn't great for fibers. Most of your "dry clean only" can be hand washed. Wool is definitely washable! Just watch out for that "felting triangle" and any loose dye and you should be fine.

Yeah sure, this is fine for a sweater. But depending on the coat and how it’s constructed, you might be f$&ed. The wool will be fine but coats can have interfacing and whatever else inside.

Exactly. Between the structure, the lining, the pockets- no way would I attempt to wash a long wool coat in the bathtub then air dry.