Hand wash woolen suit trousers?

[chickene]

Got a few stains on a pair of suit trousers I bought secondhand. Not sure what caused the stains, but I tried to spot treat with dish soap and water. This just left larger marks. I think the water dislodged some ancient dirt and thats why it left marks. Would it be safe for me to soak the trousers in a basin of water, and then let them dry in the sun? I'm hesitant to dry clean.

 

[breakaway01]

it's risky because the waistband likely contains additional material (interlining) that may shrink by a different amount from the wool fabric, leading to distortion and puckering/bunching of the waistband. I would try having them dry cleaned. If they are expensive or precious (probably not since they're secondhand) consider sending to a specialty cleaner like Rave Fabricare.

 

[chickene]

it's risky because the waistband likely contains additional material (interlining) that may shrink by a different amount from the wool fabric, leading to distortion and puckering/bunching of the waistband. I would try having them dry cleaned. If they are expensive or precious (probably not since they're secondhand) consider sending to a specialty cleaner like Rave Fabricare.

What if I just don't get the waistband wet, and soak everything else?

 

[rwtc]

My wife helps me wash a bunch of very expensive wool trousers and no issues at all. I also have an aversion to dry cleaning.

 

[chickene]

My wife helps me wash a bunch of very expensive wool trousers and no issues at all. I also have an aversion to dry cleaning.

Ok I'll give it a shot. With room temperature water it can't hurt.

 

[breakaway01]

Don't just take it from me.
Here is a thread where Chris Despos (one of the best bespoke tailors in the US) says not to do it:

High-end machine-washable cloth for bespoke trousers?

I have been looking for high-end cloth for trousers that would be machine washable, but have not been able to find any through my usual suppliers (Holland & Sherry, Dugdale). I ordered some cotton and linen from Holland & Sherry, and have machine washed them in a hand wash program despite the...

www.styleforum.net

"Problem washing finished garments is all the various cloth and fabrics used to make a garment respond to washing and shrinking in their own way. You will have to have them pressed properly to look right and that is very difficult to learn to do."

 

[chickene]

Don't just take it from me.
Here is a thread where Chris Despos (one of the best bespoke tailors in the US) says not to do it

High-end machine-washable cloth for bespoke trousers?

I have been looking for high-end cloth for trousers that would be machine washable, but have not been able to find any through my usual suppliers (Holland & Sherry, Dugdale). I ordered some cotton and linen from Holland & Sherry, and have machine washed them in a hand wash program despite the...

www.styleforum.net

I went ahead and used a spray bottle to soak them (avoiding spots with interlining) with them laid flat in direct sunlight. I think it'll be alright, these aren't super high end trousers. I'm sure my dry cleaner wouldn't be reintroducing essential oils to the wool fibres either. I'll give you guys an update on how it goes.

 

[willyto]

Next time I'd try also @Despos advice from this thread: https://www.styleforum.net/threads/removing-a-grease-spot.317657/