How to Clean Wool Jackets

Wool was once used for its ability to maintain warmth even when soaking wet. Wool is a very resilient fiber and it resists wrinkles as well as tearing making it very desirable for garments, such as jackets, that see a lot of use. However, wool requires some careful handling when cleaning and you have several options to keep your jacket in perfect shape for years to come.

Things You'll Need

• Garment brush
• Sponge
• Wool specific spot remover
• Mild detergent
• Dryel

Instructions

1. Brush your jacket lengthwise briskly with a garment brush to remove dust and soil. If your jacket is made of a finer weave of wool, use a clean, damp sponge instead of a garment brush.

2. Remove spot stains from your wool coat by blotting (no rubbing) with a clean, dry cloth. Treat the spot with a stain remover specifically meant for wool. Stains that are dye based, such as paint, nail polish or ink should be seen as soon as possible by a professional dry cleaner.

3. Hand wash your wool jacket by immersing it in lukewarm water and mild detergent and allowing it to soak for five to ten minutes. Lift the jacket out and gently squeeze the excess water out of it. Do not wring it or you risk pulling it out of shape. Lay the jacket flat to dry (do not hang). Allow it to dry completely before wearing it.

4. Use an at-home dry cleaning system, such as Dryel, to wash your jacket. Make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions explicitly.

5. Check the label of your jacket. If the manufacturer's washing instructions allow machine washing, turn the jacket inside out and wash the coat with mild detergent (or a wool specific detergent) on the gentle cycle in lukewarm water. If the label is unclear, err on the side of taking the jacket to a professional. Lay the jacket flat to dry it.

Tips & Warnings

• Regardless of the method you use to clean your jacket, you should take it to be professionally cleaned at the end of each season before you store it.

• Never use heat on your wool jacket before removing a stain as it will cause it to set permanently. Never use hot water or the dryer when treating your wool jacket or the heat will cause the fibers to shrink. Always use mild detergent or a detergent made specifically for wool.