How to wash a cashmere coat in a washing machine?

Before washing a cashmere coat in the washing machine, it's important to prepare thoroughly. If you just throw it in the drum and add any random detergent, you'll end up with a shapeless, colorless mess instead of the expensive, luxurious-looking cashmere. Therefore, items made from combed mountain goat wool require special care to preserve the material's natural softness and silkiness. This article will explore how to deal with stains, the dangers of machine washing, and the risks involved.

We determine how to wash

Not every cashmere coat can survive machine washing. It all depends on the composition of the material: if, in addition to fine wool, there are synthetic fibers and threads, then the machine can be used. There's no need to conduct an inspection yourself—just look at the inside tag. Machine washing won't hurt if the tag contains one of the following symbols:

• PAN – acrylic;
• PU – polyurethane;
• NY – nylon;
• MA – modified acrylic;
• EL – elastane;
• PA – polyamide;
• LY – lycra;
• PL – polyester.

It's a different matter when the tag only states "WS" or "WS 100%." ​​This means the coat is made of 100% cashmere and won't withstand machine washing. This limitation is explained by the use of a special interlining agent in production, which is impregnated into the material to maintain its shape.

When using a washing machine, interlining is easily washed out of the fibers, which leads to severe deformation and “rolling” of the collar, cuffs and hem.

We also pay attention to other markings on the tag. If the tag shows a schematic image of a basin with a hand dipped in water, the cashmere coat is hand-washable only. If the basin is crossed out, do not wash it yourself – dry clean it.

Preparing the item for washing

If the coat has no contraindications for machine washing, you can begin the cleaning process. However, first, prepare the item for loading into the drum to reduce the risk of damage and spoilage.

1. Remove all fur inserts, accessories, and trims from outerwear, especially if they're made of natural materials. Washing them will damage their appearance, so if this isn't possible, it's best to skip washing.
2. Remove buttons, brooches, and decorative elements from the garment, as they could come off during the spinning process and ruin the coat. It's also not advisable to leave metal items on the garment, as they rust in water and can leave unsightly stains on the cashmere.
3. Check all pockets and lining to prevent small or sharp objects from getting into the tank and drum.
4. Turn inside out, after fastening buttons, rivets and zippers.

Lastly, you should consider a special protective bag. You can purchase one at a hardware store or use a pillowcase or duvet cover. Simply choose a "protector" that's the right size and carefully place the cashmere coat inside.

What are we going to wash with?

It is equally important to choose your cleaning product wisely. Regular washing powder is too harsh, so it's worth looking for a special detergent for washing cashmere items. There are many variations of such gels, but it is best to pay attention to the following brands:

• Wellery "Delicate Wool" is a gel-based detergent designed for wool, cashmere, and silk. It tackles stains of any origin without damaging the fabric's structure. Its advantage is that it doesn't wash out the color of the material even during intensive cleaning.

Wellery is approved for use by hand and in automatic washing machines.

• Emulsio. A versatile gel that can be used for both hand and machine washing. It doesn't foam excessively, rinses completely from fibers, and effectively removes even stubborn stains. It's hypoallergenic and suitable for children's clothing and those sensitive to chemicals and fragrances.
• Almacabio. A product for the most delicate woolen materials – cashmere, silk, and merino. Completely natural, biodegradable, and completely safe. It has an antibacterial effect and is suitable for hand and machine washing.

The products listed are expensive, but experience shows that cheaper alternatives often rinse poorly, leave streaks on the fabric, and fail to remove serious stains. Such cost-cutting can lead to significant financial losses, such as a ruined cashmere coat.

Which program should I choose?

Now let's decide on the washing mode. Ideally, you should select the special "Cashmere" program. However, this isn't always possible, as this button is only found on the latest washing machine models. More common alternatives are similar ones, such as "Delicate Wash" and "Wool." These have the most optimal washing conditions, but it's best to double-check that the settings are correct:

• the water temperature reached 30-40 degrees;
• spinning and drying have been cancelled;
• The rinse has stopped.

Don't forget to calculate the weight of the item. Cashmere is highly absorbent and becomes very heavy when wet. Therefore, it is not recommended to load large coats into drums with a maximum load of 7 kg. Otherwise, the garment will not be washed properly, and exceeding the maximum load will lead to imbalances in the washing machine and mechanical failure.

We'll wash it by hand.

If the manufacturer doesn't recommend washing your coat in a washing machine or you'd prefer to minimize the risk, hand washing is the best option. This will require more time and effort, but it will increase your chances of a clean, undamaged coat. Just be sure to follow a specific procedure:

1. Fill the bath with cold water at a temperature of up to 30-40 degrees.
2. Pour in a small amount of the special gel. Typically, halving the recommended machine dose is sufficient. Exceeding this amount is not recommended, as concentrated solutions can cause streaks and soap stains.
3. Soak the coat for 15 minutes.
4. Lightly wipe the dirty areas with a soft sponge, working from top to bottom.
5. Drain the dirty water from the bathtub and fill it with clean water.
6. Rinse thoroughly.

Vigorous rubbing, twisting, and wringing of cashmere items is prohibited; the maximum impact can be pressing and squeezing.

Even hand washing can damage cashmere. Remember that this material easily loses not only its shape but also its color. This is because the fibers are dyed with weak dyes that quickly leach out of the fabric. Therefore, it's best not to experiment with an expensive, new coat; instead, seek professional dry cleaning.

How to dry a coat properly?

In addition to gentle washing, a cashmere coat also requires special drying. The shape, color, and preservation of the product also depend on the drying technology, as there are many nuances and dangers involved. Thus, the wrong approach will result in unkempt and misshapen outerwear, which will be a major disappointment to its owner. However, drying at home is possible if you follow these guidelines:

• Artificial heating sources cannot be used – only natural air and sunlight.
• The wet item is first dried horizontally and only when semi-damp is it hung on a hanger until completely dry.
• The ideal place to dry a cashmere coat is a balcony or a ventilated room.

Drying horizontally is as follows: carefully place the wet coat on a terry towel or sheet of appropriate size and roll it into a moderately tight roll. Once the fabric has absorbed some of the moisture, replace the roll with a dry one. Then, unroll the roll again and place the cashmere item on a dry cotton cloth or hang it vertically on a hanger until completely dry.

Washing a cashmere coat at home is possible, but only if you pay attention to the condition of the fabric, the label, and the recommendations above. This will ensure that this expensive material is cleaned without any problems or changes.

   

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