Bulky winter coats are one of the most difficult items of clothing to wash so they’re often neglected during your laundry routine. Cleaning your winter coats every season can help extend the longevity of your coats and keep them fresh and clean! Here’s The Laundry Basket’s Guide on how to wash your winter coats.

1. Check the tag for instructions

Regardless of what you’re washing, you should always check the care tag on clothing items for specific instructions on how to wash your winter coats. On the care tag it will tell you whether the coat is machine-washable, the wash cycle you should use, and drying instructions.

Typically, nylon and down-filled coats are machine-washable. Wash them on a gentle cycle with cold water and regular detergent. Wool and fleece coats generally need to be hand-washed to preserve the fibers, but if you’re in a bind, you can toss them into the washing machine on the delicate cycle using cold water. Leather, suede and fur jackets should always be professionally washed so bring them into your dry cleaner before attempting to wash them yourself.

2. Zip up zippers and button up buttons

Fastening buttons and securing zippers will reduce the chances of your coat getting caught on other clothing items in the washing machine. Properly zipping and buttoning your coats will also help them retain their shape during the tumble cycle.

3. Treat stains

By the tail-end of the winter, your coat has probably accumulated a fair amount of stains from food, sludge and everything in between. Use a stain remover to pre-treat these stains and let soak for about 10 minutes before washing.

4. Separate by material

Separate your coats based on their material. Wool should be washed with wool, down should be washed with down, and fleece should be washed with fleece. Tossing your coat in with other materials– especially cotton– can cause the fibers to rub together and wear down. Sorting your coats before washing will increase the longevity of your coats so that they last all season long.

Washing your coats can be a tricky business if done improperly. By following these easy steps, you can ensure that your coats are fresh and clean and stay intact for many winters to come. Bring your winter coats into The Laundry Basket today or call (970) 484-4980 to learn about our professional wash, dry and fold services.