Washable coats?

[2Below]

I have a EuroFit coat that is supposed to be machine washable. The trouble is, I'm terrifed to simply throw it in the machine! It's the most expensive piece of clothing I own, wedding dress included, and the thought of pulling it out of the machine in a crumpled mess horrifies me. Does anyone else have one and are you braver than I? Do I go for it or just take it to the cleaners. Your advice is appreciated!

[Gestalt]

I don't have one of those jackets, but... I wash most "dry clean only" clothes. Use the 'gentle' cycle and I prefer Woolite, but any detergent that is mild would probably do. I also machine wash my winter coats and for them I use a product called Kookaburro (sp?).

Of course if you do this and it comes out a crumpled mess, forget you've ever heard of me!!!! :lol:

[Gallop~on~Grant]

I have the RTS washable version. I washed mine on the handwash cycle with woolite and hang to dry! It came out looking as good as new. I was going to take it to get it drycleaned and a friend warned me against that and said hers was ruined. Washable coats are wonderful I won't ever go back!

[Pely]

HAND WASH ONLY !!!!!

With only a few drops of soap. You can do this in the machine, or in the bathtub. Just don't run the spin cycle for more than a minute, and only swish the coat around with your hands.

Lay flat to dry. If you hang it soaking wet, it will stretch the fabric.

[mickeydoodle]

I washed mine also in the machine on gentle, hung it to dry. It was fine.

[swgarasu]

I haven't washed my show coat yet but I did a winter wool coat in my machine on delicate with woolite dark, and hung it to dry- came out beautifully.

[IFG]

I have a Pikeur washable coat. I've washed it numerous times, and it comes out great.

[patch work farm]

I have several washable (Cavallo and RTS)and was never brave enough to try it, dry clean all of them and they are fine...

[Dawnd]

What makes something dry-clean only is when there are multiple types of fabrics (things with lining) that act differently when run through a washer/dryer.

If you use little agitation (either hand wash or front load washer) and hang to dry, you should be fine, especially with a coat that was designed to be washed. That means they used fabrics and interface that was meant to get wet together.

If you can figure out the instructions on the fabric care tag and can follow them, you will be successful.

(I have no idea where I learned about washing stuff - i must have fallen a sleep in a laundromat one time.)

[bornfreenowexpensive]

I've washed mine multiple times....and hung to dry. Old top load washer, did nothing special. Comes out great. Fantastic coats. You paid for it to be washable...wash it!

[Bogie]

I love my washable jackets. I've got two and have washed them many times (gentle cycle, cold water) with no problems.

[Classical DQ]

Has anyone tried the Goode Rider coat? It sounds very interesting.

[J-Lu]

My friend has a washable RTS or Cavallo jacket (she purchased it from Dressage Extensions) and washes it with Woolite on the Gentle cycle in cold water. Once, it got thrown in by accident with her regular laundry. It came out great each time!

if you have any concerns, contact the manufacturer about exactly how to wash it. Many will stand behind their products. But if they say it's washable, chances are it is. :)

[2Below]

Thanks for all the responses. I know it is washable, I just wanted to hear from thoses of you who've done it and if there were any horror stories. You have all built up my courage enough that I just might try it! I do have a front load machine, so I'll have to pick up some Woolite and go for it.