Washing a jacket that says "dry clean only"?

[Deleted]

I have an old jacket that I like (bought at Century 21 across from the WTC in New York), quite heavy duty, quilted inside. I really want to put it in the washing machine instead of taking it to the dry cleaners. Has anybody tried this?

Frankly, the jacket is old enough now that if washing ruins it and makes me throw it away, that probably would not be such a bad thing. But I'd like to get at least one last winter out of it with a clean fresh smell. Actually, the principal danger that I see is the fact that the outside of the jacket is water repellant, and that might disappear in the wash. But I generally am not out in the pouring rain anyway.

Suggestions?

[htmb]

I'd recommend washing it very gently, by hand, then roll up in a towel to get as much water out as possible before laying flat or, possibly, hanging to dry. Much will depend on the outer part, but the insides, as well.

[htmb]

I'd also recommend just a little mild liquid soap, rather powdered laundry detergent.

[bjd]

I agree that you would probably lose the water repellent, but there are sprays you can buy to put on the jacket.

I'm not sure that I would wash it with mild, liquid soap -- that doesn't usually get much dirt out. If you don't care much about it, I would just put it in the washing machine at about 30° on synthetics. You have nothing to lose.

[onlyMark]

Wash on a cool setting in the machine with a slow tumble dry. Hang it on a normal clothes hanger to dry slowly, i.e. not by the fire or over a radiator, and as it is quilted, shake it from time to time. You'll get another 20 years out of it.

[bixaorellana]

What Mark said, and put it in the sun to dry, if possible. Keep turning it inside out and rightside out again to help the thick places such as seams to dry completely.

A person at a clothing store told me years ago that many things carry the "dry clean only" tag to absolve the manufacturer of any responsibility if their poorly made garment falls apart with normal, logical washing.

Dry cleaning is a filthy and weird process.

[Deleted]

I wasn't planning on putting it in a clothes dryer. It will take as long as it needs to dry.

[bixaorellana]

I don't have a clothes dryer and, even when I did, I only used it when absolutely necessary, i.e., rain several days in a row.

Still, you'll want to dry it as quickly as you can since it's thick, to avoid mildew. I think you have an upper story in your place, right? It might be warmer up there.

[Deleted]

I was talking about the laundromat. The dryers there are fierce, but they do have a low setting, so I might try that.

[htmb]

I stand by my handwash and "towel dry" suggestion.

[Deleted]

I understand completely. But I do want a more energetic wash and am willing to take the risk. Christmas is coming and Père Noël might authorise me a new jacket if I have ruined one of my other ones.

[bixaorellana]

Any jacket that has stood up to years of wear and is still wearable will stand up to machine washing.

If you hand wash a quilted jacket & roll it in a towel to dry it, you might be able to wear it next winter, as it will take that long to dry, won't be as clean, and will probably be speckled with black mildew spots.

You can try the low setting on the dryer and stand over it to take the jacket out at intervals & make sure it's not getting baked. No need to dry it completely in the dryer if you think the heat is too fierce.

[htmb]

Oh, pooh!
You roll the thing in a heavy towel. Soak out as much water as you can, then hang to drg.

Anyway, it sounds like you want a new jacket. Best toss it into a laundry mat washer and dryer at high heat. You'll get your wish.

Is Century 21 still around?

[fumobici]

I refuse to buy anything that has a "Dry Clean Only" tag. I've been gifted a few items that did over the years and they generally hold up to a gentle cycle machine wash and low heat tumble dry, and if they didn't I figure it just wasn't meant to be. I'll even machine wash my down comforters and pillows using a little dish soap which is supposed to be a huge no-no, and been plenty pleased with the results. Wool stuff gets the machine wash but hang dry treatment unless it says it's OK to machine dry. I've found it pretty easy to find quality wool items that allow for machine wash/dry.

[bjd]

I wouldn't put it in a dryer. The heat might make it shrink. Besides being horribly wrinkled. Just hang it on a hanger near a radiator and it will dry.

htmb -- I think Century 21 disappeared on September 11, 2001. It was right across the street.

[htmb]

Yes, that's what I was thinking, too, Bjd. I have found other locations, but not the one Kerouac mentioned (which would also have been near my daughter's office).

[onlyMark]

Is 'gifted' a verb?
I suppose it must be.

K2, you don't have a washing machine in your apartment then?
Can you swing a cat in there?

[bixaorellana]

He wants to wash a jacket, not a cat. Please stay on target.

Fumobici, why do you use dish soap on the down items? I wash my down comforter in the machine, but use regular clothes detergent. A no-no?

[Deleted]

Dec 14, 2015 19:46:27 GMT onlyMark said:

K2, you don't have a washing machine in your apartment then?

Yes, I do. It just stopped working about 8 years ago. Since then, I have fallen in love with the efficiency of the local laundromats.

However, I do have the intention of replacing my machine... one of these days.

[fumobici]

Bixa- I read somewhere that a mild dish soap would hold the loft of the down better than powdered detergent. They make (or made) special soap for down, but it seemed to work the same as dish soap to me.

[Deleted]

Verdict tomorrow.

[onlyMark]

As you get older you need more exercise so you are best replacing your machine with a hand washer. Something like this -



In my overlanding days we used to partially fill an empty plastic drum with water and a bit of detergent, stick some clothes in and carry it around over all the bumpy roads for a day. Used to be really effective.
You could even put a cat in there bixa.

[breeze]

Mark, we saw water bottles being used for that purpose by a long-distance biker.

Small water bottles. I'm glad we didn't look closely enough to see exactly what was in each bottle.

[bjd]

Dec 14, 2015 19:45:34 GMT htmb said:

Yes, that's what I was thinking, too, Bjd. I have found other locations, but not the one Kerouac mentioned (which would also have been near my daughter's office).

I went to the Century 21 Kerouac mentioned when I was in NYC in 1998. I remember getting lost in the subway station under the World Trade Center -- the signs were hopelessly confusing to me. That store was most certainly damaged in the explosions.

[bixaorellana]

How's that washing project coming, Kerouac?

          

[Deleted]

Dec 15, 2015 7:04:44 GMT bjd said:

Dec 14, 2015 19:45:34 GMT htmb said:

Yes, that's what I was thinking, too, Bjd. I have found other locations, but not the one Kerouac mentioned (which would also have been near my daughter's office).

I went to the Century 21 Kerouac mentioned when I was in NYC in 1998. I remember getting lost in the subway station under the World Trade Center -- the signs were hopelessly confusing to me. That store was most certainly damaged in the explosions.

The last time I shopped there was after 2001 because the store faced the bottomless pit.

Meanwhile their website helpfully informs me that: Your nearest store is 3605.59 miles away.

[Deleted]

The jacket has now been machine washed and gently tumble dried and it is perfect.

As for Century 21, I was able to determine that my last visit there dates from January 2009. It was just before Anyport began, and I also happened to be there for Obama's inauguration.

[htmb]

S says the store has moved up near her office on Broadway.

[Deleted]

I suspect that real estate prices right across from the bright shiny new WTC forced them out, but in the 10 years of the "hole" I'm sure it was an address that nobody else wanted. It was such a delightful messy place.

yulbaba.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/century.jpg

[htmb]

THAT would drive me nuts. Actually, any large store drives me nuts. You and Bixa have no idea the trauma I experienced when you lost me in Galeries Lafayette.

Perhaps, after all the thoughtful advice you've received here, you will post a photo of the jacket one day.