How to wash my sack coat?

[maillemaker]

Hi guys, I picked up a nice unlined Union sack coat from a seller on facebook. I'm pretty sure it's been around cats, as it sets off my allergies something fierce when I wear it.

So, I would like to wash it without it shrinking too bad as it fits me perfectly. Am I pretty safe if I hand wash it in a tub with some Woolite and air dry?

Steve

[maillemaker]

Re: How to wash my sack coat?

My smart wife suggested I just get it dry cleaned. What do you think about that?

Steve

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: How to wash my sack coat?

My smart wife suggested I just get it dry cleaned. What do you think about that?

Yes... do that! I had a County Cloth jacket once that got poison ivy on it. I caught it in the same place after every event from the jacket. A local dry cleaner was able to "dip" it in solvent (or whatever they use) to remove the poison ivy oils. Solved the problem and I didn't have to fully "clean" the jacket.

My first suggestion would be to have someone not allergic to cats give it a thorough brushing out, then vacuum it. You just want to lift out any cat dander.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: How to wash my sack coat?

Hallo!

The wool in wool-flannel shrinks by exposure to heat and/or agitation.
You could take your chances by a Woolite soaking. Or go the dry-cleaning route, and just not tell anyone. ;)

Curt

[DougCooper]

Re: How to wash my sack coat?

Dry clean - just make sure they cover the buttons. this is what I should have done after the skirmish line I was in crawled through the cow pasture. Oops. We boiled our uniforms in a big vat trying to be authentic I guess. Somebody else of shorter stature now owns the sack coat.

[Pennvolunteer]

Re: How to wash my sack coat?

I have dry cleaned sack coats, but now usually I brush it, use some sort of baking soda based deodorizer and just leave out on the porch for several days....

[maillemaker]

Re: How to wash my sack coat?

I took it to the dry cleaners. But I did not mention covering the buttons. Hopefully they survive. I get it back today. We'll see.

Steve

[Pritchett Ball]

Re: How to wash my sack coat?

OK, many times I have read accounts of Federal soldiers washing their uniforms. I have not read any of those accounts talking about shrinkage of any consequence. Is shrinkage after an initial washing, a serious problem today with quality repro Federal sack coats?
I know that when I got mine years ago, it was pretty roomy inside, a friend told me to soak it in a bucket of water, set out to dry in the hot sun. Worked like a charm, fit better than before. Will washing it again like that cause MORE shrinkage?

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: How to wash my sack coat?

Hallo!

Wool behaves like wool, the more of it (read as less nylon blend).. the more it does. :)

What you do not know is how "far" the wool fibers have shrunk (fulled) from the bucket dipping/sun drying.

If, by chance" they have already reached the point or degree of fulling based on the amount and duration of the sun's heat .. then no, there will not be much more or at all.

If you did not reach that point, then more of the same will take fulling farther.

Of course we do not know context, in these Period images (whether size was poor luck of the random size issuance system, or caused by say "boiling")....





Curt

[Pritchett Ball]

Re: How to wash my sack coat?

Thanks Curt...great response!

We shall find out, as I just washed my Sack coat and trousers in a bucket, before posting here.
I have rinsed out both, hung them up outside in the hot Texas sun, though I now moved them inside a shed with plenty of hot air, but no direct sunlight.

[Pritchett Ball]

Re: How to wash my sack coat?

Well, uniform sackcoat and trousers are dry, no noticeable shrinkage can be detected in either.

[maillemaker]

Re: How to wash my sack coat?

Dry cleaning worked fine with my federal sack coat. No damage to the buttons, either. I do not know exactly how they cleaned it, but now the cat issue is done.

Steve