How to wash a drape coat in a washing machine

You can read on various information websites that you can't wash a drape coat in a washing machine. It would seem that this would answer the question that would negate the purpose of this article, but it's not so. Experts say that washing a drape coat in a modern washing machine is indeed possible. However, there are many limitations that must be taken into account, and rules that must be strictly followed. Let's discuss these in more detail.

Preparing the item for washing

If you're determined to machine wash your drape coat, first focus on preparing it. The better you prepare your coat, the less likely it is to be damaged. So, what steps should you take?

Never wash a drape coat unless absolutely necessary.

Machine washable items with bonded elements are not suitable, so first check whether your coat has these elements. If so, you should avoid washing it.
Choose the right detergent. No powders, just wool washing gel or shampoo. If you are washing a black coat, use a gel for black items that rinses well and dissolves in cold water.
Treat all visible dirty areas with a brush and detergent.
Unfasten all detachable elements and turn the pockets inside out, removing small items at the same time.
It's important to limit the coat's contact with the washing machine drum. To do this, we use a special laundry bag and place the carefully folded coat inside.

That's it, the simple preparation is complete. The drape coat is ready to go in the washing machine. We won't be adding any other items; the coat will be washed "in splendid isolation."

We wash in automatic mode

Now, let's get to the question: how to wash a drape coat at home? We've agreed to machine wash the coat, although hand washing is also a safer and gentler option. Incidentally, some users have asked whether it's possible to hand wash a drape coat, and we've pretty much already answered that. Anyway, let's get back to machine washing.

Having placed a bag with a folded drape coat into the drum, we close the hatch.
Open the powder tray and pour in your chosen gel or shampoo. No rinse or conditioner should be added.
Without activating the pre-wash, select the “delicate wash” mode.
If the default washing temperature is 40 degrees, reduce it to 30.
Press the button or set the selector to the “no spin” position.
If your washing machine can also dry clothes, then you need to turn off the drying function as well.
If the machine is equipped with a built-in function Eco Bubble, it should also be turned off. Bubble washing will only do harm here.

Well, that seems to be it. The desired program has been selected and adjusted, and the drape coat can be washed by pressing the "start" button. Now all we have to do is wait impatiently for the wash cycle to finish, after which we should immediately remove the coat and begin drying it. Keep in mind that the longer a drape coat remains wet, the more likely it is to become damaged. However, forcing the drying process by resorting to various powerful heat sources is strictly prohibited, but we will talk about this later.

Drying and ironing

Restoring a drape garment to its proper condition is impossible without proper drying after washing. After washing, find a place to dry it and allow the water to drain completely. For example, place it over the bathtub or on the balcony, but then place a large basin underneath it.

Never wring a drape coat by hand. Firstly, it's difficult. Secondly, it will wrinkle, and the seams and glued areas of the fabric may come undone with physical force.

To remove excess moisture from the fabric, you can also use a large terrycloth sheet. Roll the coat into it and blot away the moisture. Repeat this process several times, changing the sheet. When the water stops dripping from the garment, lay the coat flat, reshaping it. Leave the coat in this position until it becomes slightly damp. Only then can you hang it on a hanger and move it to a well-ventilated area, such as a balcony.

The coat will dry thoroughly and straighten on a hanger. However, do not hang a wet coat vertically, as the weight of the fabric can stretch and cause the coat to lose its shape. Drying such a coat in a dryer is not recommended. Also, avoid drying a drape coat near any heat sources, such as radiators, heaters, electric fireplaces, etc. This can cause the coat to shrink.

As for ironing, a properly dried coat won't require it. A quick steaming pass over the coat while it's hanging on a hanger is enough, and you're ready to wear it again.

Dry and wet cleaning

We've covered how to wash, dry, and iron a drape coat. Now let's talk a little about dry and wet cleaning, as these are essentially the basic methods for caring for this type of clothing.

Particular attention should be paid to dry and wet cleaning, as this item requires infrequent washing. In fact, if you perform dry cleaning regularly, the item won't need to be washed at all, which will definitely prolong its life. Dry cleaning a drape coat involves removing any lint, dust, and lint.

You can knock dust out of the fabric by hand or use a vacuum cleaner with a special attachment. Sticky hairs and lint can be removed using a roller. Do not try to pick the lint off manually. Dry cleaning can remove shiny areas on elbows, cuffs, and collars. Here are a few methods:

Sprinkle the stained areas with starch or talc and leave for a couple of hours. Afterward, brush the coat with a soft-bristled clothes brush.
Some housewives recommend rubbing shiny areas with black bread crumbs. However, we wouldn't use this method if the coat is light-colored.
To remove grease, use a paper towel and iron the greasy areas with a slightly warm iron. The grease should be absorbed, leaving the coat clean.

Sometimes, wet cleaning may be necessary in addition to dry cleaning. If the manufacturer allows it, then if dirt or stains appear on your coat, you can skip the full wash and instead wet clean it. To do this, you'll need:

Prepare a solution of a small amount of wool detergent in water.
Using a soft sponge or cloth, apply the solution to the dirty area and rub.
Once the stain is gone, rinse the foam out of the fabric. Do this carefully, trying to wet the coat as little as possible around the treated area. It is necessary to thoroughly rinse out the remaining product so that no streaks remain.
Then the coat needs to be dried, removing excess water with a terry towel.

If dry cleaning doesn't restore the collar to its original condition, try applying a solution of salt and ammonia in a 1:4 ratio. This mixture works well on greasy areas, but test it on an inconspicuous area first.

So, have we answered the question: how to wash a drape coat? If you have any other questions, please ask them and leave a comment below. We'd be happy to read them and answer any additional questions. Good luck!