This kind of product is always in fashion, both for women and men. Practicality and sophistication make the image attractive and stylish, so the coat does not give up its leading position for many decades. No novelties like bomber, wig and dutik can displace this item from the closet of fashionistas.
But this outerwear, like any other, gets dirty and loses its presentable appearance, so it needs care. Not everyone knows how to properly clean such a product, especially if for some reason you can not bring the thing to the dry cleaners, who work professionals.
The editorial staff of Expertology has prepared a material with detailed instructions explaining how to bring your favorite thing, no matter what material it is made of, by yourself, using improvised means.
Where to begin?
First, examine the garment to determine what needs to be done. Sometimes it’s enough just to sweep away the dust and sticking lint, hair, but in some cases you can’t do without a big wash.
Then read the information on the label. This will allow you to find out what material the thing is made of. With a mixed composition should be based on natural fibers, choosing the method of cleaning. They are the ones that require more gentle care, while synthetic ones, designed to improve the look of the product and extend the wear period, are easy to care for.
It is also worth considering the manufacturer’s recommendations about the temperature, the possibility of using a washing machine, drying and ironing a coat.
Maybe a dry cleaning is better?
Refuse to clean your coat yourself in the following cases:
there is a corresponding indication on the label;
White item. In such a case, there is a risk of failing, spoiling the thing, for example, make the color duller or leave streaks;
When oil or machine oil stains are on the garment. These types of stains are hard to clean on your own;
If the garment is made of leather and oily streaks are present. The situation requires the use of solvents and degreasers, which can damage the color, the integrity of the material and the protective film;
You are not sure if you can manage it yourself, and the coat is in the premium segment;
You can’t get rid of the stains with your own hands.
Prepare the garment for cleaning
Before cleaning, empty the pockets, taking out all items. Then put the product on a table or other flat surface or hang it on a hanger and inspect. Do it in a room with bright, preferably daylight. Brush your garment with a special roller to remove lint and dust.
Vinyl or leather coats should be pre-washed with a damp sponge or cloth and then carefully inspected to understand the nature of the dirt. Pay particular attention to hems, necklines, cuffs and lapels, if any, as these are the areas most likely to become dirty.
After examining the label, decide on the cleaning method. This small piece usually indicates the material used in the manufacture, as well as what products are allowed to use, whether you can resort to washing and how to do it.
Cleaning a coat made of natural fabric
Leather
The material is versatile, elastic, durable and resistant to wear and tear. The material is less prone to becoming dirty than other fabrics.
The first step.Wet treatment of the entire surface.
The second step.Prepare the product by mixing ammonia with soapy water (about one to two tablespoons per two hundred milliliters of soap and water).
Step Three.Moisten a sponge and wipe the surface. Afterwards use a damp cloth to remove the soapy residue. Vinegar will help get rid of salt stains.
Step four.Clean the collar, cuffs and bottom edge using first a cotton pad and alcohol, then lemon juice and finish by wiping with glycerin. This will remove the grease.
Step Five.To clean the lining, turn the garment inside out and soap the fabric thoroughly. After rinsing, wash with soap or powder residue. Remove excess moisture can help any dry rag: pass it over the entire lining. Repeat the process until all the water is gone.
Step Six.Leave the coat to dry on a wire rack in a ventilated area and gently pat it down.
Suede
The material is soft and velvety, and durable. Special care required.
Step One.Clean small dirt and dust traces, armed with absorbent cotton soaked in ammonia. Work in the direction of the nap only.
Second step.Remove grease and clean shiny areas by making a solution: add a teaspoon of baking soda to a hundred milliliters of milk. Allow the mixture to dry for five to ten minutes. Finish with a special kneading brush. You can also use starch. It is enough to sprinkle it on the desired area and wipe off the remains after two hours. An ordinary eraser, i.e. an eraser or a breadcrumb will help get rid of the streaks.
Step Three.If your coat needs washing then rinse it in thirty degree soapy water, then rinse in clean. Please note that suede should not be rubbed or twisted. To avoid soiling, sprinkle the surface with a solution of water and glycerin (one teaspoon per liter).
Step four.Wipe the product with a towel and hang it on a hanger or straighten it on a flat surface.
Step Five.Remove creases by steaming the coat, then hang it on a hanger and straighten it.If you must iron your suede fabric, turn the iron to the minimum setting and go over it gently on the wrong side.
Important!Artificial material can not be washed. Therefore add any detergent to the water and whisk the foam, then apply it to the spots concerned. After a few minutes, go over them with a sponge and wipe off the remains with a dry rag.
Cashmere
The material is airy and soft. Sensitive to external influences, so requires careful attitude and special care.
Step One.Remove dust from the product, wipe the surface with a damp rag.
Second step.Remove grease will help cleaned gasoline and talcum powder: soak the soiled areas with the substance and pour a small amount of talcum powder. After it is dry, brush off any residue. A mixture of soap and ammonia works great on sweat stains: use a cotton pad soaked in water and soap and then another pad treated with ammonia. Finish by wiping the material with a damp rag.For stains that you can’t figure out, a special solution of glycerin and ammonia (about one for one) can help. Work the mixture into the dirt a few times, and then remove the remains with a damp cloth.
Step three.If the label of your coat has a sign permitting washing, select a delicate mode without spinning, where the temperature does not exceed thirty degrees. Use only liquid detergents.
Step Four.Gently squeeze the material with your hands, do not twist it. Spread it on a flat surface, on which you will place a towel beforehand. Leave it to dry completely, avoiding direct sunlight and heaters. Do not use a clothes rack to prevent the garment from stretching or deforming.
Step Five.Iron the garment with the steam without touching the surface with the iron.
Tweed
The material is characterized by elasticity. Virtually indestructible, it doesn’t crumple and keeps its presentable look for a long time.
First step.Vacuum the surface of the coat with a handheld vacuum cleaner or a roller-brush with masking tape.
Step Two.Remove stains from street dirt only after they have dried by scrubbing with a stiff brush. Soaking in soapy water will help get rid of stubborn stains. After that it is enough to go over the material with a slightly damp brush.
Step Three.Tweed should not be washed, so avoid prolonged contact with water and washing machine. Rinse the garment by hand in a basin where the water is no more than thirty degrees.
Step four.Avoid deformation during drying will allow the following method: spread the thing on a flat surface, creating layers of two volumetric towels for absorption. To do this, put one down and the other on top.
Step Five.To iron, turn the garment inside out and cover it with gauze, then carefully iron it.
Drap
The material is characterized by the absence of shedding, also it does not wrinkle and is not subject to burn. Always gently care for your wool. Afraid of hot water because it can deform and shrink.
First step.Brush in the direction of the nap, using a coarse bristle brush to get rid of dust and lint.You can also use brown bread, crumble the crumbs over the surface and roll the crumbs until they become balls. Shake off the remains.
Second step.Make a solution by adding a mild detergent to the water. Moisten a rag and then apply to the areas you want to treat. Wait five to ten minutes and wipe the surface with a damp sponge, removing any crumbs.
Step Three.If you can not do without washing do it by hand and in water not exceeding thirty degrees.
Step Four.Hang the coat on a coat rack and leave it to dry in a well ventilated place.
Other wools
If the material of the garment cannot be identified, follow the general recommendations. To reduce the risk, pre-test your chosen method by doing a test on a small area.
First Step.Remove lint and dust with a roller brush with sticky tape or a special velour brush.
Step Two.Treat the scuffs with a solution: mix salt and ammonia in the ratio four to one. After that, apply the mixture to the desired areas, and at the end, simply wipe off the remnants.Moving from the periphery to the center will help avoid streaks.For grease removal use a cotton pad soaked in purified gasoline. Soak the area on the inside, and then place a clean piece of cloth over the area on the outside. Finish off by wiping the surface with a damp cloth.Alcohol stains can be removed by mixing the alcohol and vinegar in equal proportions, then soaking a cotton pad with the solution and wiping the spot.Other stains will help remove a mixture of ammonia and soapy water: pour a tablespoon of liquid soap and the same amount of ammonia into a hundred milliliters of water. Wipe the dirty area with a cotton pad soaked in water. Remove soap residue with a damp rag at the end.
Step Three.If washing is allowed, do it by hand and in water that does not exceed thirty degrees. Use a special detergent for woolen garments. When wringing the coat, do not twist it to keep it from warping.
Step Four.To dry, lay the garment out on a flat, horizontal surface with a towel underneath to absorb the moisture.Do not hang the garment, otherwise it will stretch under its own weight, which will increase after the material absorbs a lot of water.
Step Five.Moisten a cotton pad in strong black tea and go over the entire surface. This will bring back the coat’s dark shade of shine.
Cleaning a coat made of synthetic fabric
Neoprene
The material is durable and resistant. No creases or stains, because it is a double-sided fabric-covered foam rubber. Stains and water can not harm a product made of this material.
Step One.In peace, place the garment in the washing machine, but choose a gentle cycle with a temperature not exceeding thirty degrees Celsius. Use soft powders. It is advisable to carry out the procedure twice: first to clean the outside, then the reverse side.
Second step.Begin drying also on both sides, periodically turning the garment inside out. Do not place in direct sunlight.
Polyester
The material is strong and resistant to wear and tear. Not susceptible to warping, soiling. Keeps its shape and is easy to care for.
Step One.Give the garment a good shake several times to remove dust and lint, or use a brush.
Step Two.Take the stain remover and, following the instructions, apply it on the spots you want. You can test the product beforehand, using it on a small area.Remove more difficult dirt by sprinkling it with table salt, then rinse it off with soapy water.10% borax will help to get rid of stubborn dirt: moisten the area to be treated, then use a cotton pad dipped in lemon juice to wipe the same spot. Finish by wiping the surface with a damp cloth.
Step Three.Wash the product by hand in thirty-degree water. Do not twist the material when wringing it out.Washing in a washing machine is also allowed, but a special mode should be chosen for synthetic fabrics. Use only mild detergents.Important!Do not use bleach and do not wash the garment in hot water.
Step Four.Dry on a coat rack or spread on a flat surface. Choose a well-ventilated room.
