To wash a wool dry clean only coat?

[Tealady1983]

I mean is this possible? Anyone done it and on what kinda setting ax

[ThatBloodyWoman]

If it was pricey I wouldn't tbh.

If its not worth the cost of dry cleaning, I'd at the least handwash with a specialist gentle wool wash, and dry naturally.

[Tealady1983]

Well it's a m and s coat it very good condition but I bought it from ebay! Just needs a freshen

[camtt]

I have (accidentally) washed wool items in the machine before (30 degrees) - they shrink horribly, so I wouldn't unless your machine has a wool cycle perhaps

[chocolatespiders]

Fabreeze and hang on line!

[Hattifattiner]

Some wool items will be fine. Others won't. Unless you know how the fabric was produced you have no idea.
Dry clean it.

[Tealady1983]

Ok thanks guys think I'll just stop being tight and get it done x

[ThatBloodyWoman]

Air it on the line, and see if that works.
I currently have a £4 ,second hand ,chunky River Island cardigan, thats dry clean only,airing.
If it still smells fusty, I like it enough to get it dry cleaned.

[Kiffykaffycoffee]

Is it lined? I only ask because lined garments tend to be dry cleanable. This is because the main fabric might shrink whereas the lining won't, thus pulling it out of shape. If it's not lined then you could wash on the woollens setting and dry flat like you would a jumper.

[UnrelatedToElephants]

I did, on a wool cycle with no detergent. Turned out fine. I wouldn't if my machine had no wool cycle though. And definitely air dry - no tumbling!

[Tealady1983]

Yes it's fully lined x

[Oakmaiden]

Well, I always look at it like this.

(Format fail, so I have pasted my wonderful flowchart, to assist your decision making).

Most dry cleaning clothes otherwise get worn once in my house and then reside at the bottom of the washing pile until they are outgrown/deeply unfashionable.

[hamptoncourt]

I washed a lined dry clean only boden dress ( I know, I am such a MN archetype!) and it ended up with the dress shorter than the lining - utterly ruined.

Then I did exactly the same thing with a Monsoon skirt that I loved.

Writing this down I can see just how dim I am actually....don't do it OP!

[Kiffykaffycoffee]

Tealady if you really like this coat and intend to wear it a lot I would get it dry cleaned. It will probably pull out of shape if you wash it.
However I have successfully washed an unlined duffle coat. I only dared risk it because I was half intending to chuck it out, but it came out looking like new .

[Kiffykaffycoffee]

Oakmaiden Your flow chart rings so true - I never get round to dry cleaning, let alone the expense - so now I don't buy anything that can't be washed.

[BlueBrightBlue]

Never ever wash a woollen coat. It will have interfacing that will shrink and it it's felted ( 99% are) it definitely will shrink.
Spot clean by all means, but get it cleaned professionally.

[mausmaus]

yanbu
anything that won't mashine wash is not worth keeping imo.

wool cycle
no spin
wool detergent or shampoo.
lie flat to dry

good luck!

[blanklook]

"and it ended up with the dress shorter than the lining - utterly ruined."

Just hem the lining, I've had a few lined silk tops where that happened.

[hamptoncourt]

blank I cannot even sew on a button

[CanISlytherin]

I hand washed my wool dry clean only school blazer, and it turned out okay every time

[PhaedraIsMyName]

Probably not advisable. Many dry clean only items can be handwashed if done very gently in cool water and lux type soap. Silk or cashmere for example.

Tweed/ gaberdine/ suit type wool definitely not washable.

[gentlehoney]

If your machine does a stone cold wash, you can do almost anything with those eco wash ball things from Lakeland or Qvc.

[ouryve]

If you're prepared to lose it, then select a cold water or 20C wool cycle, using detergent for wool or delicates. Remove any fragile looking, wooden or dubious metal buttons first. Hang to dry and hope it doesn't crease. If it feels stretchy, lay flat on towels, instead, so it doesn't lose shape.

[BlueBrightBlue]

Never wash tailored outer wear, the glue in the buckram/interfacing will disintegrate. Ok school blazers as they are made to withstand all sorts of wear and tear. A quality coat or jacket will shrink or become distorted.
It's about the construction of the fibres. Please don't risk it.

[DorisIsALittleBitPartial]

I wouldn't either if it's wool. Tried it once with a Next jumper and it shrunk and the texture was like cardboard. Some dry clean things you can wash but I wouldn't with wool.

[BlueBrightBlue]

It is felted and sculpted to fit. If you wash it ,it alters the structure of the fibres and distorts it's shape. Would you put lead crystal in the dishwasher? No! because it doesn't expand and contract to its original form unlike soda glass,.
It's not about manufactures being precious, it's a fact that you cannot launder a woollen or wool mix coat.