How to Wash Your Winter Coat

With winter slowly fading and spring on the horizon, your trusty winter coat is probably ready for some much-needed TLC. Since our favorite jackets are often made from more temperamental materials, it’s essential to take care when washing.

In this blog, we’re going to be sharing precisely how to wash a winter coat to keep it looking and feeling its best, all without causing any unnecessary damage.

Get your notepad ready, and let’s dive in!

How to Wash Your Winter Coat

Always Read the Care Label First

Rule number one of any laundry mission: Always read the care label first. Unless you bought your clothes from a vintage store, there should be a handy little tag sewn into the lining with direct instructions on how to wash it. This usually comes in the form of laundry symbols created to prevent you from shrinking or destroying your beloved garments.

Coats are often made from more delicate fabrics, including wool or down-feather filling. For this reason, it’s crucial to wash on the side of caution.

If you’re struggling to figure out what your laundry symbols mean, check out the guide on our blog for a deeper insight!

Get a Head Start on Stain Removal

If you want to avoid having to run your coat through multiple cycles or invest in a professional dry cleaning service, always pre-treat your stains. You can either purchase a pre-made version from the store or make your own at home using a variety of basic household solutions. Before you start searching for a ‘laundry service near me’ to solve the problem for you, give our top tip a try.

To achieve successful stain removal without damaging your fabric, you should:

  1. Mix 2 parts baking soda with 1 part warm water and stir into a paste;

  2. Test on a less visible part of the coat to make sure it's compatible ;

  3. Use the paste to cover the stain and allow it to rest before washing.

Fasten Buttons or Zippers

Hard buttons and metal zippers can cause a whole host of problems when spun at high speed inside a washing machine. Who could have predicted that? To avoid damaging the drum or snagging the fabric of your coat, it’s always best to fasten up your garment before getting started. Plastic zippers can also break easily, so keeping them together adds extra durability in the battle against your washer.

Opt for a Solo Wash

Picture the scene. You’ve thrown your favorite wool coat into the washing machine with your weekly load, including a pair of muddy trainers, some vintage jeans, and a zip-up fleece. When you open the washer, you’re horrified to find your coat is two times smaller than when you last saw it, and the fabric you once loved is coming apart.

That’s the joy of mixed washing—something you should always avoid when washing your winter coat. Instead of risking incompatible temperatures, detergents, or fabric styles, throw your jacket in solo and follow the instructions to a tee.

Once it’s done, hang dry and allow to air dry in its own time.

That’s everything you need to know on how to wash your winter coat. If you’re worried about doing a terrible job and ruining your prized possession, why not leave it to the professionals instead?

At WaveMAX, we offer various convenient and high-quality laundry services, including world-class dry cleaning. Visit our website to find out more and schedule your wash!