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Safe to dry clean a wool overcoat?

neato

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I have had my black wool overcoat for 3 years now and have never dry cleaned it. I generally try to stay away from dry cleaners, partly because they can be expensive but mostly because I'm always afraid they will ruin my clothes. Not too long ago, while wearing my wool overcoat during one of my drunken adventures, I got sick and vomited on it. I was able to spot clean the vomit stain and can't see it anymore..........but I feel like it might be a good idea to have the coat dry cleaned......I just feel like it's "dirty."

The coat's care label says "Dry Clean Only," but can this be trusted? Are wool coats like suits in that they should never (or very rarely) be dry cleaned?
 

Mr. Mystery

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I've had my black overcoat for going on two winters now, first wear out I spilled beer all over it about half a bottle and it didn't seem to do any harm.. It's been threw a lot by now, I've decided not to dry clean it unless it actually smells, but I'm also curious of this.
 

neato

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Thing is it doesn't really smell.......or at least I don't think it does. I just sense that I've gotten to the point where it is no longer clean. I've read online guides on how to hand wash "dry clean only" wool coats delicately with woolite (or similar products) and I imagine that would be safer.......but I'm wondering if dry cleaning would be appropriate at my stage (3 years without ever cleaning the coat, have thrown up on it, no stains)?
 

Harold falcon

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I wouldn't dry clean unless an item was actually stained. If you've removed the offending vomit and there is no stain and no odour then the coat is fine. I have used Dryel, the at home dry cleaning method, to refresh my wool overcoat and remove some smoke smell from it. Perhaps this would help your perceptions. EDIT - here is a coupon for $2 off the Dryel. http://www.dryel.com/get-free-coupons/
 

viator

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I know the forum has a general aversion to dry cleaning, but this seems extreme.

fight[1].gif


If you barfed on your overcoat send it to the cleaners.
 

Achilles_

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Originally Posted by viator
I know the forum has a general aversion to dry cleaning, but this seems extreme.

fight[1].gif


If you barfed on your overcoat send it to the cleaners.


x2
 

alliswell

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^2.

The aversion to dry cleaners has less to do with cleaning and more to do with pressing. Your coat does not sound like it has a special shape to it, especially since you're vomiting on it.
 

a tailor

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Originally Posted by neato
Thing is it doesn't really smell.......or at least I don't think it does. I just sense that I've gotten to the point where it is no longer clean. I've read online guides on how to hand wash "dry clean only" wool coats delicately with woolite (or similar products) and I imagine that would be safer.......but I'm wondering if dry cleaning would be appropriate at my stage (3 years without ever cleaning the coat, have thrown up on it, no stains)?

if the label says dry clean only, then why would you wash it?
what do you know better than the manufacture?
 

mr monty

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Originally Posted by a tailor
if the label says dry clean only, then why would you wash it?
what do you know better than the manufacture?


+1



puzzled.gif
 

Crane's

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Originally Posted by a tailor
if the label says dry clean only, then why would you wash it?
what do you know better than the manufacture?


That the chemicals used in dry cleaning are harsh and tend to be destructive to natural fabrics. That dry cleaning removes the naturally occurring lanolin which provides a level of waterproofing among other things. That most manufacturers aren't interested in having you maintain a garment in a way that substantially increases it's life expectancy.

If the coat is unlined it can be hand washed or machine washed on a gentle cycle in woolite and then allowed to air dry without any problems.
 

a tailor

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Originally Posted by neato
I have had my black wool overcoat for 3 years now and have never dry cleaned it. I generally try to stay away from dry cleaners, partly because they can be expensive but mostly because I'm always afraid they will ruin my clothes. Not too long ago, while wearing my wool overcoat during one of my drunken adventures, I got sick and vomited on it. I was able to spot clean the vomit stain and can't see it anymore..........but I feel like it might be a good idea to have the coat dry cleaned......I just feel like it's "dirty." The coat's care label says "Dry Clean Only," but can this be trusted? Are wool coats like suits in that they should never (or very rarely) be dry cleaned?
if you had a sports car and was told to use premium gas, then why would use regular? because think the manufacture is a liar, and you "cant trust them". are you smarter than them? why do you feel that it is dirty? because it is! in fact its probably filthy. three years i cant believe it. how many times do you wear a shirt without washing it? think of this, you spot clean with water or cleaning fluid. the liquid holds the dirt in suspension and you wipe off the liquid. but the cloth is still wet , and what is in that wet. the same dirt that you thought that you had wiped away. its right there in that wet cloth. so it drys in there dirt and all. isnt that logical? just my opinion. if an overcoat cant stand cleaning once a year it cant be much of a coat.
 

razl

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Originally Posted by Crane's
That the chemicals used in dry cleaning are harsh and tend to be destructive to natural fabrics. That dry cleaning removes the naturally occurring lanolin which provides a level of waterproofing among other things.

I think the OP's stomach acid + god-knows-what-else-was-in-there has already trumped these two excellent points.
 

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