TO CLEAN A RAINCOAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22211, 11 September 1935, Page 6

TO CLEAN A RAINCOAT

How to clean mackintoshes and proofed leather coats is a problem that usually calls for attention about this time of the year, when the winter is well advanced and raincoats have seen generous service. It is a problem, by the way, that is often overlooked, for many women seem to think, with resignation, that waterproofs cannot be cleaned successful!}*, and most certainly not by an amateur at home. Consequently they continue to wear their mackintoshes until they are too shabby and soiled for any effective sprucing up. Actually, however, waterproofed coats can be quite easily and quite effectively cleaned at home. The important point to remember is that different methods must be applied for tho proofed fabric coats and the rubber proofed mackintoshes, or there will be danger of damaging the fabric or the dye. For example, mackintoshes must not be touched with anything that will dissolve the rubber, such as grease solvents. Grease marks on a coat of this kind are best removed with French chalk. Spread the chalk thickly over the stain and leave for a while so that the grease is absorbed, then brush off the chalk. Or, if you are going to wash the mackintosh eucalyptus oil can bo used to remove the grease stains. Washing afterwards is essential in this case, though, for the eucalyptus will almost certainly leave a mark. To clean a mackintosh all over, and to freshen it up generally, it is best to wash it over with warm water and soap. Make a fairly strong concentrated solution of any good cleaning soap and, using a cloth or a brush, lightly scrub the coat, working evenly over tho whole surface. After cleaning in this way the coat will need very thorough rinsing, for if any trace of the soap is left you will have ugly white sti'eaks appearing as the coat dries. To make sure of a thorough rinsing it is best to put the coat in a sink and to rinse it in strongly running water. To dry, set the coat on a coat hanger and hang it in a draught of air, but not in the sunshine. Straighten out any folds or creases as the coat dries, for the mackintosh cannot be pressed, of course. It is important, too, to keep the coat as uncreasod as possible during the cleaning and washing processes. So much for the rubber coats, lhe rain-proofed fabric coats can be sponged over in tho same way, but it is important not to make tho material too wot, for the proofing may be impaired if the water is allowed to penetrate the fabric too thoroughly. Any greaso solvents, such as benzine, petrol or carbon tetrachloride can be used with perfect safety on proofed fabric. When the coat has been washed and dried in a current or air it is as well to get it steam-pressed, for it cannot be ironed in the ordinary way and yet will need some finishing-off of this kind.