Yes, you can dry clean a wool coat at home! Here's how to do it (2024)

Nicole Gibson is the Laundry and Stain Removal Queen at Söka Australia. In her Instagram stories, she takes her followers through a very easy way to wash a dry clean only, woollen blend coat at home.

And it’s a lot easier – and more affordable – than you think.

How to dry clean at home

Before washing anything, you need to check the care label. If the tag says, “dry clean only,” and your garment is made of wool or silk, you can clean it yourself at home using the following steps. If it’s made of leather or fur, you'll need help from a professional.

How to dry clean a wool coat at home

Here's how Nicole recommends cleaning a woollen blend jacket that says dry clean only on the tag.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Spot clean. Spot clean the stains using a chemical-free detergent. Nicole recommends mixing 1 Tbs of detergent with one cup of water in a spray bottle. Look for wool wash, delicate or low sud detergent.” I tried this method at home and successfully used a wool wash to clean a wool blend coat. This delicate laundry wash from Koala Eco also comes highly rated.
2. Hand wash. Give you jacket a wash using your hands in a bucket or tub of cold water.
3. Rinse well.Tip out the dirty water and give your jacket a good rinse to remove the detergent. Allow to drain over your tub.
4. Dry. Roll the jacket up in a towel to remove excess water.
5. Optional. Place in the dryer for10 mins on cool in the dryer.Use a dryer ball to fluff the jacket and remove any excess moisture.

Can I use a washing machine to wash a dry clean only wool jacket at home?

Using a washing machine to wash a dry clean only wool jacket is not recommended. The agitation and heat in the machine can damage the wool fibres, causing the jacket to shrink, lose shape, or become fuzzy.

Can I use hot water to wash a dry clean only wool jacket at home?

No, hot water can cause the wool fibres to shrink, making the jacket unusable. Always use cold water when washing wool at home.

Can I iron a dry clean-only wool jacket?

It is generally not recommended to iron a dry clean-only wool jacket. The heat from the iron can damage the wool fibres and cause the jacket to shrink or become misshapen. If ironing is necessary, use a low heat setting and a pressing cloth to protect the fabric.

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