How to dry clean Wested wool pants ... yourself.

Discuss technique for prolonging the life of your gear or giving it that aged look

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S William
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How to dry clean Wested wool pants ... yourself.

Post by S William »

Hello,

This might have been posted in the past, but if not here it is. Dryel is an excellent at home dry cleaning system. The cost is low, it can be used for up to 16 garments (four for each load),and you can dry clean without the harsh chemicals,which some have an allergic reaction to, that they use at the dry cleaners.

The kit comes with a stain remover, bag, and four steam cloths in clean breeze scent. The first step is the stain remover, I didn't use the stain remover this time because I didn't have a stain to remove. The next step is to put the Wested pants in the dry cleaning bag with the steam cloths. Place the bag in the dryer for 30 minutes on medium to high heat. The heat will cause the cloth to release the steam necessary to clean the pants. When they come out they should have a slight dampness about them, if not put them in a little longer. Hang and let dry, then iron them on the wool setting of your iron, and your good to go for many more adventures.

S William
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Luke Warmwater
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Post by Luke Warmwater »

OK, so my question is: can one wash his Wested pants in a normal laundry cycle? Will that distress them nicely, or ruin them?
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Harrison_Davies
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Post by Harrison_Davies »

The answer is yes you...on the coolest temperature you can. There will be a slight shrinkage...it's your choice.

I did it all the time.
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Luke Warmwater
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Post by Luke Warmwater »

Cool, thanks. This place is awesome.
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Michaelson
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Post by Michaelson »

There shouldn't be much shrinkage if you hang the trousers on a hanger to air/drip dry instead of a dryer. You can also use Woolite in a cold wash cycle.

When I had a pair, mine never shrank either.

The Dryel method is great as well!

Regards! Michaelson
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Luke Warmwater
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Post by Luke Warmwater »

Wore my gear two days ago hiking along the Potomac River and it got a bit warm, so I took off my shoes and bag and jumped in the river wearing the Wested shirt and pants and Akubra hat, and then continued my hike, the clothes and hat drying as I walked. They picked up a lots of fine river dirt along the way and when I was done, they looked perfect. Today I washed the shirt and pants in the regular wash and they came out fine.
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JAN
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Post by JAN »

Today I washed the shirt and pants in the regular wash and they came out fine.
Beware of using a harsh detergent - use wool-lite or similar.
If not the pants might "take it" 2 or 3 times then serious damage could
appear.

What You do using a "regular" detergent is You "degrease" the wool,
and this might take a couple of washes, but when it´s done the shrink-age
sets in - often heavily.

So wool-lite, soft movements in the machine and not to warm water (below 40 degrees to be on the save side).
And NO tumble-drying.

Then You should be fine.

Best regards

JAN
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