Start by inspecting the product. Determine the scope of work: you just need to brush off the dust and lint, or you will have to do a big wash. Read the label and find out what material the coat is made of. If the composition is mixed, rely on the presence of natural fibers. Synthetic additives improve the fabric and make it easier to care for, while plant and animal materials are more demanding to clean.
Pay attention to the manufacturer’s advice: what temperature should the water be, is it possible to use a washing machine, how to iron and dry the product. Don’t neglect this information. Proper care will extend the life of your coat and preserve its original appearance.
When is the best time to go to dry cleaning
When the label directly states that this is necessary.
If you are the lucky owner of a snow-white coat: any manipulation can only stain the product or make the color dull.
If there are stains on the coat of engine oil or fuel oil: they are difficult to remove, there is a high risk of ruining clothes.
If there are grease stains on the leather coat: solvents will damage the integrity and color of the skin, and degreasers will break its protective film.
If you can not remove the stains yourself.
If you are not confident in your abilities or the product is very expensive for you.
How to clean a natural fabric coat
Drape coat
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Drape is a heavy, dense woolen fabric that does not fade, wrinkle or fade. Since natural wool products are afraid of hot water (they can shrink in size), we will clean the drape coat as dry as possible.
To remove dust, use a rough brush in the direction of the hair.
Rye bread will also help to cope with dust: spread the coat on the floor and crumble the crumb on top. Then roll the crumbs over the surface of the fabric until balls form. Brush off the rest of the crumbs with a brush (don’t brush it off if you want to become a favorite of local pigeons).
Try to wash stains on outerwear without washing. Dissolve some mild detergent in water and moisten the dirt on the drape with this liquid. Wait 5-10 minutes and wipe the coat with a damp sponge to remove soap particles.
As a last resort, you can try to wash the coat, but preferably by hand and in slightly warm water (no more than 30°C).
After all the bath procedures, the drape must be dried properly. Hang it on your shoulders in a well-ventilated area. Allow time for the coat to dry completely so that it does not lose its shape.
Tweed coat
Tweed is an elastic woolen fabric with a small pile. It gets dirty a little, practically does not wrinkle and lasts a long time.
To remove dust, vacuum your coat.
If the tweed is dirty, dry the stain, and then brush off the dirt with a brush. That might be enough.
If dirt gets into the fabric, do the same as with the drape: moisten the dirt with soapy water, and then comb it with a damp brush.
It is highly undesirable to wash a tweed coat. If necessary, do not use a washing machine and do not leave the fabric in water for a long time. Wash and rinse tweed by hand in warm (no more than 30°C) water.
Dry your coat properly: on a horizontal surface between two towels to avoid deformation.
You need to iron the tweed from the wrong side, laying a damp cloth between the fabric and the iron.
Cashmere coat
Photo: ozero1504/Depositphotos
Cashmere is an airy undercoat combed from the barrels of fluffy mountain goats. It is a very soft and gentle material that is sensitive to external influences. Therefore, we will treat him very courteously.
To remove dust from the coat, wipe it off with a damp cloth.
Soak grease stains with a small amount of refined gasoline, and sprinkle talcum powder on top. After drying, brush off the residue with a brush. Repeat the procedure again if necessary.
To remove sweat stains, prepare cotton wool, soap, and ammonia. First, wipe the contamination with a swab soaked in soapy water, then with an ammonia swab, and then with a damp cloth.
To remove a stain whose origin you cannot identify, mix glycerin and ammonia in equal proportions and wipe the stained area several times with this mixture. Then remove any remaining liquid with a damp cloth.
Read the label carefully: some types of cashmere are not machine washable.
If your coat can be washed (when you really need it), choose a gentle mode without spinning, a water temperature of no higher than 30°C and liquid detergents. Remember: cashmere cannot be rubbed or twisted, otherwise it will lose its shape.
To properly dry cashmere, squeeze it lightly with your hands after washing and place it on a horizontal towel away from heaters and direct sunlight. Do not dry the coat on your shoulders so that it does not stretch.
If you want to iron cashmere, do it only with steam, without touching the surface of the iron with the fabric.
Coats made from other types of wool
If you understand that your coat is made from the fluff of some animals, but do not understand which ones, follow the general guidelines for caring for woolen products. Before using any cleaning method, test it on a small, inconspicuous area of clothing.
Clean off dust and fine lint with a soft, dry brush or a roller with adhesive tape.
To add shine to a dark-colored product, wipe it with a cotton swab dipped in strong black tea.
The worn areas on the collar or sleeves can be treated with a mixture of ammonia and salt in a ratio of 1:4. It rubs problem areas with it, and the residue is cleaned with a brush.
Clean any stains from the edges to the center: this way no stains will appear on the coat.
Remove grease stains from the inside of the product with a cotton swab moistened with purified gasoline. On the outside, place the stain with a piece of clean cloth. When the dirt disappears, wipe everything with a damp cloth.
Alcohol stains are removed with vinegar and alcohol. Mix liquids in equal proportions, moisten a cotton swab with the solution and wipe off the dirt.
Other stains can be removed with a soap solution with ammonia. To 100 ml of warm water, add a tablespoon of liquid soap and ammonia. Soak a cotton swab with the solution and treat the dirt with it. Then remove the soap residue with a damp cloth. For prevention, perform this procedure regularly.
If the coat can be washed (there is an inscription about this on the label), do it by hand in water not hotter than 30° C so that the product does not shrink. Preferably with a special wool detergent. Do not twist or rub the coat so that creases do not appear.
Dry all items horizontally with towels to absorb moisture. If you hang a natural coat on your shoulders, it can stretch out due to its own weight, so it’s better not to take risks.
Leather coat
Leather is a durable and flexible material. It is versatile and durable. The leather coat not only stains a little and is comfortable to wear, but also does not go out of style.
To clean the skin from dust, wipe it with a damp cloth.
Light dirt and plaque will be removed by a solution of ammonia in soapy water (1-2 tablespoons of alcohol and liquid soap per glass of water are enough). Wipe the coat with a sponge soaked in the resulting liquid, and then with a clean, damp cloth to remove soap residue. It is useful to carry out such cleaning regularly to improve the appearance of the leather product.
The greasy areas on the collar and sleeves are wiped with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol, then with lemon juice, and then with glycerin solution.
Wipe the salt stains on the coat with table vinegar: it will wash off salt marks and make the skin shine.
A leather coat cannot be soaked in water for a long time, but the product lining often requires washing. Turn the coat inside out, wet it and soap the lining in the required places. Wash stains by hand and rinse the fabric using a minimum amount of water. You can simply remove the soap with a damp cloth.
After washing, hang the coat on a hanger and leave it to dry completely. Do not wear wet leather items: they may stretch.
Suede coat
Suede is a soft and velvety tanned leather that is durable and pleasant to the touch. Despite the seeming difficulty in care, suede can also be cleaned at home.
Remove the dust from the coat with a cotton swab with ammonia. Wipe the product in the direction of the hair.
To get rid of greasy stains and shiny areas, dilute a teaspoon of soda in 100 ml of milk. Apply the solution to the coat for a few minutes, and then treat it with a brush, preferably a special one for suede.
Starch will also help with greasy stains: sprinkle problem areas with them, and after a couple of hours, brush them off.
Wipe off stains on suede with a bread crust or a school eraser.
The creases can be removed by holding the coat over the steam, and then straightening it on a table or shoulders.
Suede can be rinsed in 3-degree soapy water and then washed in clean water. Do not soak the coat, rub it or unscrew it when washing. To prevent the suede from becoming rough, rub it with glycerin solution (½ teaspoon per liter of water).
Dry the product properly: spread the coat on a flat surface, wipe it with a dry towel and leave it to dry completely.
If the coat is wrinkled, it can only be ironed from the inside out at a minimum temperature.
By the way, artificial suede differs from natural suede in that it cannot be washed. To clean this coat, whisk the water with any mild detergent until foam forms and apply it to the stains. Wait a couple of minutes, rub with a sponge if necessary, and then remove the soap residue with a napkin or cloth.
How to clean an artificial fabric coat
Polyester coat
Polyester is a special type of synthetic fabric made from polyester fibers. It does not wrinkle much, retains its shape well and is easy to wash.
Dust can be removed with a brush or simply by shaking the coat thoroughly.
Use a stain remover to remove stains (first check the reaction on a small area of the fabric).
Treat complex stains with table salt: sprinkle with dirt, and after half an hour, rinse with soap and water.
Remove the most stubborn stains with a 10% borax solution: apply it to the coat, then wipe the dirt with lemon juice, and then remove the residue with a damp cloth.
The coat can be washed by hand in water not hotter than 30°C without twisting or crushing the fabric.
In a washing machine, wash polyester with a mild detergent. Choose a delicate mode or a synthetic mode.
Do not wash polyester in hot water or use bleach: this will damage the fabric.
Neoprene coat
Neoprene is an artificial foam rubber coated on both sides with fabric. Neither water nor stains stay on neoprene, and bacteria do not grow. It doesn’t wrinkle or wear off.
Did you manage to get it dirty? Feel free to throw your coat into the washing machine: delicate mode, temperature not higher than 30°C, soft powder. You will have to wash it twice: first the outer surface, then the inside.
Dry the coat on both sides as well, avoiding direct sunlight. Turn it inside out and back periodically.
That’s it, your neoprene coat is ready. Remember: these non-breathable products are not recommended to be worn for more than 2-3 hours a day.
Source: https://lifehacker.ru/kak-pochistit-palto/
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