Is it possible to wash a raincoat in a washing machine and how to do it correctly?

Whether a raincoat can be washed in a washing machine depends on the material from which it is made. The product can be made of cotton, leather, polyester, bologna. To understand how to properly wash an item, you need to pay attention to the label sewn on the reverse side. It will depict symbols, the decoding of which we will give below.

Is it possible or not - the label will answer

Each textile product, whether clothing or bedding, is marked with symbols indicating care recommendations. They define washing and usage guidelines for consumers to prevent damage and premature wear.

The symbols are located on a label sewn to the product. It can usually be found on the wrong side on the left side near the side seam.

You cannot wash an item in a washing machine if the following icons are found on the label:

1. Pelvis with hand. It means that the item can only be hand washed.
2. Crossed out basin with water. This raincoat can only be cleaned dry. It would be better to take it to the dry cleaner.

If no such symbols are found, then machine wash is allowed.

It is very important to pay attention to other icons. They make it clear at what temperature to wash the raincoat, what program to choose, and whether the product can be wrung out.

How to properly wash a raincoat in a machine?

All outerwear is subject to deformation to one degree or another. Therefore, you need to wash your raincoat delicately, at low temperatures and without spinning (or at minimum speed).It is better to choose a liquid detergent (Persil, Perwoll, Laska gel). This will help avoid the fabric becoming coarser and streaks appearing on it. Particular attention should be paid to drying the raincoat, because wet fabric is especially vulnerable.

Instructions for washing a raincoat in an automatic machine:

1. Check the pockets and remove dirt and dust that accumulates in the corners. Fasten the product with all buttons.
2. Use liquid laundry detergent.
3. Select the “Delicate Wash” or “Hand Wash” program. If the manufacturer allows washing at high temperatures and automatic spinning, you can choose a more intense mode. Study the label and decipher the meaning of the symbols.
4. Remove the raincoat immediately after finishing washing. Shake it lightly to remove excess water and hang it on hangers to dry in a well-ventilated place.

If necessary, iron the raincoat after it has dried (if the manufacturer allows ironing). It is better to do this with steam.

Raincoats are ironed only on the reverse side. It is dangerous to place the iron on the front side - marks may remain.

Useful tips

In trying to figure out whether a raincoat can be washed in a washing machine, many people forget about the basic rules for caring for textiles.

6 tips to help clean your outerwear while keeping it in its original condition:

1. It is better to wash the raincoat separately from other things. Ideally, in a delicates bag or an old pillowcase.
2. If there is damage to the product, you must first repair it.
3. To make the raincoat dry faster, after washing, straighten it and place it between two terry towels. Then roll into a roller and squeeze lightly.
4. If there is minor dirt or stains, it will be correct to wash the raincoat only partially. Dip the smeared edge into a bowl of warm water.Use a soft brush and liquid detergent (or shampoo). If the raincoat is made of polyester, the dirt will come off very quickly.
5. If you doubt whether you can use a wringer, wet the sleeve of the product and squeeze firmly. Did the fabric straighten out quickly, without any creases left? This means that it can be pressed in the machine at 400–500 rpm.
6. Products made of silk, wool, nylon are washed only by hand and dried on towels in a horizontal position. If the raincoat is made of leather, then wash only the lining, first removing it.

Most modern outerwear tolerates machine washing very well. Manufacturers are working to make caring for it easy and low-cost. For example, not so long ago, a business suit that can be washed in a washing machine was released by Hugo Boss. The men's suit is sold with the mark “The Washable suit”, and in terms of quality it is not inferior to other items of the brand.

So, if you have any doubts about caring for your raincoat, you should refer to the information on the label. But basically, raincoats are made of polyester, which can be washed in a washing machine by selecting a temperature of 40 degrees and turning off the spin cycle.