Trench coat cleaning question

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Trench coat cleaning question

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Hi Everyone!

I just got my bright red trench back from the dry cleaners and I'm not very happy with it. I think the fluid they used was dingy/dirty, so now my trench looks slightly dull to me. Plus, a few of the dingy areas around the edge of the sleeves and collar look the same as before I took it. Anyway, I won't be taking my coat back to that cleaners.

What I'm wondering is if I could just wash my coat myself, in the washer? It says "dry clean only" on the tag, which is why I took it to the cleaners. But it really seems like it just needs a good wash and I think I would be much more careful with it than they were at the cleaners. It's a medium weight cotton/viscose/elastene blend. What do you all think?

ETA: My trench is completely unlined and has no shoulder pads. : )

14 years ago

General

7 replies

Latest reply was from Ana

bella

(website)

Veteran

I have a bright red trench coat myself that I was planning to take to the cleaners. I will be watching this thread with interest.

14 years ago

Sylvie

Veteran

Hand washing would be safe. I don't think there is any material in that blend that is going to be affected by water.

If it were my coat, I'd machine wash on cold/warm and tumble dry with no heat.

My only concern would be different shrinkage rates in the blend if you apply heat.

14 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the reply, Sylvie! I was thinking of spot treating the collar and dingy areas with detergent (I use 7th generation), washing it on cold and letting it air dry, then ironing it.

I was just wondering if someone had experience doing this and would advise against it because of an adverse outcome. : )

14 years ago

Donna

Active Member

Hi Ana,

I don't think I would try washing the trench coat unless it says it's washable because often times in a tailored item the materials used inside (between the lining and the outer fabric) are not washable. The stiffening or interfacing and the shoulder pads may not be safe to wash and you may end up with lumpiness or worse.

Maybe you could try going to another dry cleaners and talking to them about what happened and see if they can recommend something. Perhaps there are different solutions that can be used.

That's so disappointing to have your trench come back looking dingy. I hope you can find a solution. Let us know what happens.

14 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Donna! I appreciate the response. My trench is actually not lined and has no shoulder pads. I'm sorry, I should have specified that earlier. Do you still think it's not washable then?

I got a damp washcloth and rubbed a little spot on the bottom of the jacket and some of the dingy stuff came off, but I definitely don't want to have to hand rub the whole jacket, lol.

14 years ago

Donna

Active Member

Without a lining, I'm with Sylvie. I'd use cold water with a delicate cycle and maybe use a no heat fluff cycle to work out some of the wrinkles and then hang to dry. I would probably try a steamer before resorting to the iron. If you end up having to iron do it on the inside. I think the only risk is shrinkage, but I would probably take the chance. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will turn out beautifully : )

14 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Donna!

14 years ago

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