While washing most basic items is not difficult, not every housewife knows how to clean a jacket. A jacket has a complex cut and is made from fabrics that require delicate handling. If you do not know how to wash a jacket correctly, the item can be irreparably damaged. Most manufacturers recommend dry cleaning. However, if you follow certain rules, you can “refresh” a jacket at home.
Selecting a method depending on the type of fabric
When deciding how to wash a jacket, you need to consider what material was used to make it. Depending on the type and structure of the fabric, the temperature regime should be changed. You also need to know in advance how best to iron a jacket. Recommendations depending on the type of fabric:
- Velvet, velveteen, wool – these delicate fabrics require special handling. Dry cleaning or brushing are more suitable for them.
- Linen, cotton – fabrics are easy to care for. They can be machine or hand washed.
- Satin, silk, suit crepe – items made from these fabrics are hand washed.
- Wool with the addition of synthetic fibers - such fabric is best cleaned with a brush, but can also be washed by hand.
- Leather – only treatment with a damp soft cloth is permitted.
- Stretch, polyester – machine wash is allowed. The main condition is that the temperature should not be higher than 30 degrees.
The icons on the label will help you figure out how best to clean the item. For example, "basin" indicates the optimal temperature, "iron" helps determine the ironing mode. The "circle" icon means that dry cleaning is recommended, "triangle" means that the item can be bleached.
Basic cleaning methods
Washing a jacket at home can be done manually or using a washing machine. For some blazers, it is better to use a brush or sponge soaked in soapy water. Items made of delicate fabrics are subject to dry cleaning only. Before starting the procedure, the jacket must be prepared - make sure that its pockets are empty.
Dry
Not every jacket from a men's suit can be washed in a washing machine. Products made of tweed, corduroy, and velvet require careful handling, otherwise they will quickly lose their attractiveness. The best option for them is cleaning with a dry brush with soft bristles. This treatment will help get rid of small and large dirt. Before the procedure, the jacket should be shaken sharply, then brush the surface in different directions, removing dust and lint.
The effect can be fixed with a special roller equipped with adhesive tape. Additional cleaning with a roller will help remove the remaining fluff that was not cleaned with a brush, thanks to which the blazer will look like new. For products that are contraindicated for hand and machine washing, this option will be optimal. The main condition is that the jacket should be treated with a dry method at least once every 2 weeks, otherwise it may start to shine, and subsequent cleaning will be difficult.
Wet
In order not to rack your brains over how to wash a men's jacket at home every time, you need to periodically clean it with a medium-hard brush. This treatment will remove dust and dirt accumulated on the product, and also prevent the appearance of gloss. If the jacket does get dirty, follow the following algorithm:
- You need to hang the jacket on a hanger and inspect it for stains. If there are any heavy stains, they need to be removed.
- Next, place the product on a table, previously covered with a sheet, and carefully clean it with a brush with soft bristles. It is recommended to moisten the latter in water with the addition of vinegar (1 tbsp. per glass of water). The surface is wiped in the direction of the bristles.
When the cleaning is finished, you need to hang the men's jacket on a hanger to dry. After a couple of hours, iron the product and brush it again, but against the nap. Heavily soiled areas are removed by ironing through a cotton cloth soaked in ammonia.
For collars or sleeves where the dirt is heavy, you can use gasoline. Just make sure that the fabric is resistant to these substances.
Under the shower
If you still haven't figured out whether it's possible to wash a suit jacket in a washing machine, and the item has gotten dirty, it's better to use a gentle method. To keep the jacket from losing its shape and the fabric from becoming soft and pilling, the item is washed in the shower. The method is suitable for items made from wrinkle-prone fabrics, as well as those equipped with glued elements. Algorithm of actions:
- hang the jacket on a hanger and knock out the dust;
- then wet it with slightly warm water using a shower head;
- dilute liquid washing powder, wet the brush and clean the most problematic areas and the surface of the entire product;
- then turn on the shower again and wash off the powder.
Finally, the suit is left to dry on hangers, carefully removing excess moisture. It is important to remember that you cannot use hot water for rinsing or wring out the jacket. If drying is done correctly, you will not even have to iron the jacket or use a steamer.
Hand wash
Before washing a jacket by hand, you need to pay attention to the label and find out if this method is available. This method is suitable for items made from inexpensive materials. First, an adult or school jacket needs to be soaked (this step can be skipped). To do this, you need to prepare a soap solution in a basin and immerse the item in it, trying not to wrinkle or fold it. After 40-50 minutes, gently rub the item with a brush with soft bristles. It is not recommended to act on the jacket with your hands, as it can stretch out and lose its original appearance. Next, you need to drain the water and pour in new water. Rinse the jacket until the liquid becomes transparent.
Finally, the jacket should be carefully laid out in the bathroom for a few hours to drain the water. Do not wring the item out with your hands. After that, the jacket should be taken out, shaken and hung on a hanger. It is recommended to store the item in a well-ventilated room. Alternatively, the item can be taken out onto a balcony facing the shady side.
In an automatic car
Most often, washing a jacket at home is done using a washing machine. This procedure is simple and does not take much time. Before throwing the item into the compartment, you need to make sure that the jacket can be washed in this way. To do this, you need to read the information on the label. If the item is made of polyester and has glued parts, cleaning it in an automatic washing machine can negatively affect its appearance, so it is better to refuse this method. If you decide to use this method, follow these rules:
- washing is carried out on a delicate cycle at a temperature of no more than 30 degrees;
- the spin cycle is set to the slowest setting;
- Liquid concentrate is used as a detergent, not powder, as it rinses out better.
In a similar way, you can wash both linen jackets and items made of cotton. When the machine has finished working, the item should be immediately taken out of the drum and hung to dry on a hanger. Finally, ironing is carried out.
How to choose a detergent
If you decide to wash your jacket in a washing machine, you need to use specialized products. Powders for hand cleaning are slightly different in composition, so they act differently. They contain gentle components, form a lot of foam, but at the same time cope worse with removing stains. Powders for the machine contain more aggressive components, so they remove ingrained dirt better.
You can wash your jacket in the washing machine using liquid household products. Gels are not only easy to use, but are also suitable for delicate fabrics. In addition, they contain fewer harmful components, so they do not cause an allergic reaction. Another advantage is that the products are quickly washed out. As for the disadvantages, the gel is not the most economical option. Also, such compositions may not cope with the removal of liquid and oily stains. If the item is heavily soiled, problem areas should be pre-washed.
How to dry and iron correctly
In order for the product to remain attractive and serve for many years, it must not only be washed correctly, but also dried and ironed. Only jackets made of cotton can be subjected to strong wringing in an automatic machine. The procedure is carried out at minimum speed. It is also not worth wringing jackets strongly by hand, as this can cause deformation. The best way to dry the product is to hang it on a hanger and put it away in a dry, well-ventilated room. It is strictly forbidden to hang a damp jacket in direct sunlight, as this can lead to deformation and fading of the fabric.
The product should be ironed according to the temperature conditions indicated on the label. It is recommended to put gauze or thin cotton fabric on top. If the jacket is completely dry, you need to use steam, so ironing will go much faster. After the procedure, you can go to work or go for a walk in a washed jacket.
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