Before storing coats for several months, cleaning is necessary. Good news: no need to go to the dry cleaners, it is quite possible to take care of it easily at home.
The temperatures are finally rising and it’s the same scenario at the start of every spring: we find ourselves with a pile of coats, jackets and trench coats on our hands, ready to spend a small fortune at the dry cleaners. We often imagine that these parts are too fragile for our washing machine and that only a professional can clean them. What if we told you that the secret to an impeccable dressing room wasn’t that difficult to achieve at home?
For a long time the “dry clean only” label was seen as an absolute recommendation, a safety barrier protecting the finest fibers from the onslaught of water. Know that the reality is quite different. No need to spend a fortune to restore shine to your essentials. Whether it’s a wool coat or a blazer jacket, absolutely everything can be washed at home, as long as you follow a specific protocol.
First of all, the secret to a successful wash is absolute gentleness. To preserve the shape of your pieces, washing must be done cold, 20 degrees maximum, to never roughen the fiber. Also, opt for a wool or delicate program and be sure to choose a spin limited to 400 revolutions to avoid irreparably damaging or wrinkling the fabric.
Once the machine is finished, drying leaves no room for chance: the piece must be installed on a wide hanger so that the weight of the water finishes smoothing the fibers naturally. Finally, for those who track down bacteria without wanting to do more washing, a tip is essential: using a burst of steam with a steamer. This targeted heat kills germs and neutralizes bad odors, while restoring swelling to the material.
To guarantee an impeccable result, the choice of product is also important. It is better to choose a liquid detergent adapted to the material of your clothing. Unlike classic powders which can leave white marks, the liquid formula rinses off perfectly, even at very low temperatures. A small dose is more than enough: excess foam is the enemy of delicate rinsing.
By adopting these simple little reflexes, maintaining the most sophisticated pieces becomes child’s play, thus extending the life of your wardrobe while making valuable savings.
