Coat Cleaning Know-How

From woollen to waterproof, we’ve got top tips on taking care of your outer layers this winter.

Save money on dry cleaning and keep your classic wool coat in tiptop condition with steam. It’s the easy way to take care of pesky creases and lingering smells. Wool and cashmere coats can also be machine washed with these careful steps.

Spot clean stains as soon as possible by blotting the area with a clean, white cloth and cleaning with the appropriate detergent for the type of stain. And hang your wool coat on a proper padded hanger to keep it in good shape.

Unless washing instructions tell you otherwise, down-filled coats can go in the washing machine. Use a cleaning liquid specially formulated for down and synthetic filler to preserve it and tumble dry on a low heat with a tennis ball to plump up the filler. Here’s how.

For stains, same goes as for wool coats – deal with them asap and choose the right method depending on the stain.

Waterproof coats have a special finish to keep the water out so the key when cleaning is not to do anything that will damage this. Use a gentle detergent, cool water and go easy.

Pre-treat stains then pop in the machine on a cold cycle (reduce the spin cycle if you can to cut back on creases). Waterproof coats can’t go on in the dryer so hang out and air dry only.

Leather usually only needs a wipe to clean up but it can also be hand washed with a gentle detergent. Tackle stains with a soft-bristled brush and rinse thoroughly before squeezing (not wringing) the water out.

Leave to drip dry inside out away from a heat source. When it’s completely dry, use a leather conditioner to treat the coat to keep it soft and supple.

A suede brush is a good investment to keep the nap looking plush. Tackling stains can be a bit of a nightmare but try spot cleaning with a vinegar solution and check out these other great suede cleaning tips.

Own some faux fur or faux fur trim? Keep it clean at home with careful hand washing and spot cleaning, and brush it up to keep it fluffy. Here’s how. Just remember never to put it in the dryer. Faux fur fibres + high heat = disaster.

• A nifty cleaning trick for dealing with odours is vodka. Pop some in a spray bottle and spritz your coat to kill bacteria and eliminate bad smells – ta da! Or use a Tefal Garment Steamer and kill up to 99% of bacteria!
• Zip, fasten and button everything on your coat before cleaning in the machine. This’ll stop snags and help to keep the coat in shape.
• Always check the care label for specific washing instructions.

With these helpful pointers, we’ve got you covered!