Can you wash wool/poly blend gabardine?

[gem]

I mean really wash it. Like when you're covered with muddy pawprints or your FIL dumps his coffee on it.

I'm making new rain garb (huzzah!)--a transitional kirtle for me, and maybe something for Milord if he's lucky, and am starting with muddy colors (brown, rust, olive, etc), but picking the really durable, washable fabrics is tougher. I'm looking at some wool-blend gabardines at the moment, and they SAY to hand wash... but I tend to be a rebel when it comes to fabric care. Still, I'd love to hear anybody's real-life experience before I invest in it.

I also have a big ol' stack of muddy-colored linen on the way, but I like choices.

(And I took a deep breath today and tossed my corded Italian working class dress into the washer for the first time ever. )

[Kate XXXXXX]

Before you do ANYTHING with it, dump it in the washer and wash it the way you want to be able to wash the final garment.  Use something like Nikwax Wool Wash or Eucalan.  If you dare, tumble dry it on cool.  You WILL change the character of the fabric, though.  It will probably end up softer and fluffier.  Once washed, use something like Nikwax TX.Direct wash-in waterproofing or straight liquid lanolin to reproof it.  Press severeyly with lots of steam.  Be sure to PRESS rather than iron!  The washing and drying will do all the shrinking and the  reproofing will restore rain resistant properties.

[gem]

Thanks, Kate--I hadn't even thought about the wool content adding a water-resistant element to the garb; that's a bonus! This stuff is under $5/yard, so I'm really tempted to grab some for my stash.

...I'm also kind of tempted by the rayon/poly gab--which is under $4--if for nothing else than nice dress-weight muslin fabric.

[Kate XXXXXX]

We are about to start making wet weather capes for Empire.  Old fashioned waxed cotton (Barbour Jacket stuff!), with a lining of suit weight tweed in 80% wool 20% poly.  We will never have to wash them!     You just wait for the mud to dry and brush it off, and when they start letting the water in, paint them with the appropriate Nikwax product.  If the lining ever gets really filthy, I suppose we could replace it, but I don't see that happening in a hurry.  We are reasonably careful with our clothes, and these will not be floor length!

[gem]

My wool-blend gabardines are here! Huzzah; I am delighted with them. One of them is a bright coral wool-rayon blend that will be perfect for this, and two of them (dark raisin brown/purple, and a deep olive green) should work well for the mud garb I have envisioned.

I have been reading up on washing wool (and here). What kind of Eucalan do I want? Amazon has a gazillion different kinds! I know I've washed some worsted wools in my stash with Woolite, but it's been a while, and that was really a precautionary pre-treat more than anything.

[Kate XXXXXX]

Personally I'd opt for the original no-rinse, rather than any of the scented sort.  And read more about them all on the Eucalan website: http://www.eucalan.com/

[gem]

Thanks! I placed an order for the original. Looking forward to trying it.

(Also, I discovered that while wool gabardine might be mud-resistant, it's not particularly white-dog-hair resistant. Alas.  )

[Kate XXXXXX]

Amaze Brush! http://www.amazebrush.com/

[gem]

Wow! I looked at the website and watched the video, but couldn't really see what the "pad" was. But with our pack, we go through a ton of lint stickies (sticky lint rollers). Kate, is this something that you actually have & use & swear by?

[Kate XXXXXX]

Yes.  And it does exactly what they say.  Gets rid of bobbles/pilling on clothing, and most of the pet hair and lint things pick up.  We use it tp de-cat stuff, including things they nest in, woollies, chairs...  I got it at the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace last year.  You can replace the pads when they get worn.  They are a bit like sandpaper to feel, but the 'sand' doesn't come off.