[215339]

I ordered a vintage wool overcoat coat that billed itself from the '40s or '50s.

Should I get it dry cleaned right away when it arrives?

My other idea was to chuck it in the washing machine and use some Eucalan wool wash. It has a 3/4 lining as well.

I know @Peak and Pine has washed wool before with no bad results, so I'm highly tempted to do the latter when it arrives.

 

[Matt S]

I'd say dry clean it in case any bugs have infested it, as that's common with vintage wool coats.

 

[215339]

I'd say dry clean it in case any bugs have infested it, as that's common with vintage wool coats.

Yikes, ok, so my assumption was correct.

Thanks for the tip Matt.

 

[Peak and Pine]

I know @Peak and Pine has washed wool before with no bad results, so I'm highly tempted to do the latter when it arrives.

Yes, I do wash wool. In warm sudsy water at 90°. And by hand, the hand holding a toilet plunger and agitating for ten minutes, like so below in November, my last outside wash, Polo suit pants.

I like clean pants and would not own a wool pair that I couldn't water wash this way.

However, I would not recommend doing this on a full length overcoat, or on any item containing guts. So yes, dry clean.

 

[215339]

Alright, thank you both for the tips.

Sounds like I'll dry clean just to be safe and skip tossing it in the wash.

 

[smmrfld]

I would clean anything you get secondhand.

 

[215339]

I would clean anything you get secondhand.

Hmm, interesting.

I've picked up some sports coats secondhand and never bothered cleaning them, no issues yet from them. They looked barely used. I wonder how quickly I'd know if they had moth eggs in them.

Also picked up a denim jacket last winter and haven't washed it yet either.

 

[Matt S]

Hmm, interesting.

I've picked up some sports coats secondhand and never bothered cleaning them, no issues yet from them. They looked barely used. I wonder how quickly I'd know if they had moth eggs in them.

Also picked up a denim jacket last winter and haven't washed it yet either.

How soon you know depends on weather. Moths eggs hatch soon after they've been laid, but larvae can feed for a few weeks to a year or two (until they turn into moths). They feed longer when weather is dryer and colder and shorter in hot and humid weather. There's also carpet beetles to be concerned about. I don't know as much about their life cycle.

 

[215339]

How soon you know depends on weather. Moths eggs hatch soon after they've been laid, but larvae can feed for a few weeks to a year or two (until they turn into moths). They feed longer when weather is dryer and colder and shorter in hot and humid weather. There's also carpet beetles to be concerned about. I don't know as much about their life cycle.

Wow, this is the first time I've heard of this.

I don't see any holes in anything, so I'll assume my SCs are safe.

 

[drpeter]

If you do find holes, they can be fixed very well by re-weaving companies like Without a Trace in Chicago. You will not be able to tell there was a hole. It's bloody expensive, though!