Coat season is approaching in full swing – the leaves are falling, the coffee is hot, and the air is crisp with a hint of irony. And at that very moment, you pull out your favorite coat from the depths of your closet… but it doesn’t look as magnificent as your memory made it out to be. A few stains, a suspicious musty smell, and a pile of fibers that moths would happily call a buffet restaurant. It’s time to clean – but do you really need a dry cleaner? Not necessarily.
The truth is that most coats can be cleaned at home without any problems – if you know the right methods. Professional treatments come at a price, often with chemicals that are not very environmentally friendly. And let's face it – who wants to spend money every few weeks on something that you can do yourself with a little knowledge and feeling? In this guide, you will learn how to properly clean your coat – whether it is wool, cashmere, faux fur or flannel – without opening your wallet or doing the fabric a disservice.
How to clean a coat at home
1. Labels are not your enemy – they are your ally.
Every coat has a care label. These tiny pictograms are often ignored as if they were artistic abstractions with no real meaning – which is a mistake. Symbols like a tub with a wavy line (machine wash), a tub with a hand (hand wash), a circle in a square (tumble dry) or an iron with one, two or three dots (ironing temperature) tell you almost everything you need to know to properly care for a garment.
If you have trouble understanding the symbols, there are handy online legends that explain each symbol individually. Important: if it says “dry clean only”, this doesn't mean that hand washing is impossible - it just means that the manufacturer doesn't want to take responsibility if something goes wrong. With the right materials and techniques, you can "trick" many of these labels.
2. Wool coats: gentle but effective
Wool is a natural material known for its insulating properties, elasticity and… sensitivity. Due to the structure of the fibers, it requires a gentle approach, as it can shrink or shrink at high temperatures. But the good news is: unless the label explicitly prohibits it, you can successfully wash your wool coat at home.
Process:
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- Before washing Remove surface particles with a clothes brush or fabric comb.
- Washing Wash by hand in cool to lukewarm water, using a mild wool detergent. Do not rub or wring – just gently dip and move the fabric.
- Drying is key: don't hang your coat! Lay it on a flat towel, wring it out to squeeze out excess water, and then dry it on a flat surface, away from sunlight and heat.
Expert advice: Regularly airing woolen clothes greatly reduces the need for washing. And yes, moths love dirty wool – clean wool is much less attractive to them.
3. Cashmere: a delicate aristocracy among materials
Cashmere is a luxurious fabric obtained from the undercoat of cashmere goats and requires proper care. In addition to the soft exterior, most cashmere coats also have a structured inner lining that helps maintain its shape – and the wrong process can permanently ruin it.
If the label allows hand washing, you can do it yourself:
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- Use lukewarm water and an extremely mild detergent for delicate fabrics (preferably one specialized for cashmere).
- Gently soak the coat for 20–30 minutes, do not rub it.
- Rinse with plenty of clean, cold water.
- Dry as you would wool – on a flat surface, wrapped in a towel, without exposing it to heat.
If the label specifically requires dry cleaning, we recommend that you take this into account. Cashmere is beautiful, but quite unforgiving when it comes to mistakes.
4. Other materials and special features: flannel, velvet, faux fur
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- Flannel (usually cotton or wool): usually withstands hand or machine washing on a gentle cycle, but can wrinkle - air dry.
- Artificial fur: Extremely heat sensitive. Hand wash in cold water and dry naturally. If necessary, brush gently when dry.
- Velvet: never machine wash. Instead, use steam or a professional steam cleaner to freshen it up without damaging the surface.
5. Professional tricks for home use
Among the professional tricks that you can easily use at home is definitely steam cleaner or iron with steam function – this not only refreshes the fabric and kills bacteria, but also smoothes out any wrinkles without coming into direct contact with the coat. It is also indispensable for daily care clothes brush, which removes dust, lint and other fine particles without damaging the material. And if you want to protect your coat from unwanted visitors – moths – reach for moth spray, which acts as an effective preventative measure, especially if you don't wear your coat regularly.
How to clean a coat at home? While dry cleaning may sound like the easiest solution, it’s not always necessary—or even the best. Cleaning your coat at home, done with knowledge and patience, can extend the life of your favorite piece, save money, and even contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. The next time you’re thinking about cleaning your coat, remember: with the right approach, a pair of hands, and a little attention to detail, you can become your own wardrobe master. And your coat? It’ll look so fresh, you’ll smell like winter—not a chemical lab.
