Cleaning a washable coat...

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 10-22-2008, 03:25 AM

I have a coat that I've had for about 6 years... It's not in perfect shape, but I'd like to try to wear it through another rough winter.

One thing that bothers me is I can't get the "grimy" look off of the cuffs. It's a two-piece Columbia jacket (fleece liner and a shell). I've tried soaking, tried spray-on stain removers/treatments...just doesn't help.

I'm hoping someone will have some "magic formula" to get the "grimy" look off (it's just from general wear).

TIA

**BlessedMomof2** · 10-22-2008, 10:01 AM

I would like to know myself. We all have Columbia coats, and have that same normal wear grim on the cuffs. I have tried just about every thing I have and can think of to get these cuffs looking better with no such luck.

**joyofsix** · 10-22-2008, 10:50 AM

I would soak it in the Tightwad Gazette stain remover. Calgon 2, Cascade and hot water. It saves lots of my kid's clothes. Ir it won't come out is there some decorative fabric you could use to cover it?

**Darlene** · 10-22-2008, 01:15 PM

I use babywash or spray & wash kind of stuff and a scrub brush, then wash as usual. Let the stuff sit a bit before you scrub.

**tbs727** · 10-22-2008, 01:50 PM

There is a product at the dollar store called Awesome. I have successfully used it to get rid of similar gunk, particularly the stuff on a collar. I highly recommend it. And, if it doesn't work, it's only a dollar and it's good to use on a variety of different items.

**YankeeMom** · 10-22-2008, 01:53 PM

Thanks for starting this thread. We have the exact same issue with every one of our Columbia coats. And mine is powder blue so it really shows!! You'd think, as much as those coats cost, they could make it so they actually come clean!

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 10-22-2008, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by YankeeMom

Thanks for starting this thread. We have the exact same issue with every one of our Columbia coats. And mine is powder blue so it really shows!! You'd think, as much as those coats cost, they could make it so they actually come clean!

Mine is light, light purple...so, I'm right there with ya...it SHOWS.

Originally Posted by tbs727

There is a product at the dollar store called Awesome. I have successfully used it to get rid of similar gunk, particularly the stuff on a collar. I highly recommend it. And, if it doesn't work, it's only a dollar and it's good to use on a variety of different items.

No dollar stores here.

Do you know what's in it? Maybe there's something similar I can find??

Originally Posted by joyofsix

I would soak it in the Tightwad Gazette stain remover. Calgon 2, Cascade and hot water. It saves lots of my kid's clothes. Ir it won't come out is there some decorative fabric you could use to cover it?

What's Calgon 2? If it's from the TWG, it must work!!

hehe
The grime is on the cuffs...so, any changes would be really obvious.

**SaucyCranberry** · 10-26-2008, 02:34 AM

Maybe try Oxyclean or Borax dissolved in some warm water and soak each dirtied area in that and wash again. HTH.

**DaisySue** · 10-28-2008, 11:02 AM

My remedy is very simple and usually works on most grime or stains I come across. I just pour a generous amount of liquid laundry detergent on the dirty spots and rubbed real well and then this is the key........let it sit. I will roll up the item so the soap stays moist and let it sit a day or two. I have never ruined anything with this method. Only thing I would be concerned about would be maybe a white coat that the coloring in the detergent might stain or something.

**Jerseygirl** · 10-28-2008, 01:46 PM

I'd try shampoo or good bar soap and a toothbrush, shampoo and bar soap is made for hair oil and body grime, it really gets rid of almost anything. If all else fails, oxy, soak the cuffs for an hour in hot water and oxy clean. If you have any chem dry in the house, I keep some for furniture stains, that I have had good luck getting dirt and grass stains stuff out of dh ski pants.