Think Your Coat is Clean? Think Again!

• Almost half of the nation clean their coats once a year or less.
• Just one in ten people dry clean their winter outerwear the recommended once a month.
• 13% would rather buy a new coat altogether than take theirs to be cleaned.

As the country braces itself for the winter, LEVINGERS DRY CLEANERS has revealed that almost half of the nation clean their coats once a year or less and more than one in ten of us prefer to buy a new coat than have a weathered one cleaned. Prem Bhaktawer, a Cleanologist at LEVINGERS DRY CLEANERS, gives us his top tips for keeping your outerwear in best condition come rain…or snow:

1. Macs and trench coats are the most versatile of coats, but with frequent wear comes marks and stains. Over time, the classic light, cream bonded cotton can become dull. If you spot a mark, blot it immediately with a damp sponge to lift dirt from the surface. Never rub or scratch the mark as this will ingrain it into the fabric weave.

2. Not only should a wool coat be kept clean, but much like your hair natural fibres need to be well groomed too. Brush your coat with a soft-bristle brush every other wear to keep the fibres in shape. This will also help dirt from bonding to the fabric.

3. Treat water marks with steam. If you’re caught in a downpour and your coat is splattered with rain marks, use the steam setting on your iron to gently evaporate any signs of residue. You can double up by taking creases out of the fabric as well.

4. Leather is robust, but needs to be looked after. The common mistake is to leave leather outerwear to dry by a radiator or other heat sources, but this can dry out the natural oils, which are crucial for keeping the surface supple and water repellent.