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Moleskin shrinkage washing

ManofKent

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I'm needing (okay desiring) more moleskins, and found some in a local shop in a nice shade of dark brown reduced to a silly price. The slight snag is they're labelled dry clean only. Now I've not had shrinkage problems with those I've bought from Hoggs but understand it can be a problem. If I get a size up and wash them at low temperatures inside out should I expect a possible slight shrinkage the first wash then no problems other than gradual colour fade? I can't justify dry cleaning costs.
 

Cary Grant

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Here's what Filson says.

Dry cleaning preferred to preserve the look of the material.
If machine washing, turn inside out. Repeated machine washing will give the fabric a weathered look. Allow for 3 to 5% shrinkage if machine washing. To minimize shrinkage, wash in cold water and line dry.

Maybe you could treat them like denim and keep washings to a minimum.
 

ManofKent

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Originally Posted by Cary Grant
Here's what Filson says.

Dry cleaning preferred to preserve the look of the material.
If machine washing, turn inside out. Repeated machine washing will give the fabric a weathered look. Allow for 3 to 5% shrinkage if machine washing. To minimize shrinkage, wash in cold water and line dry.

Maybe you could treat them like denim and keep washings to a minimum.


Thanks - I'm not sure what the brand was, but at about £20 reduced from £70+ it's probably worth the risk of washing them.
 

kolecho

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I wash my Minnis moleskins. They shrink up to an inch after several washes,even cold washes. I always hang dry them. I like the weathered look a lot.

I had some old ones which went to a hotel laundry and came back an inch shorter. They might have thrown them in the tumble dryer.

I wash heavy linens the same way also. They shrink a little less than moleskins and becomes much softer after some washing.
 

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