Bonfire Night and winter coats: the stains and smells to watch for

The start of November brings fireworks, sparklers and candles in the window, usually in the rain. It is also when the winter coats come out of the wardrobe after months in storage. Put those together and you get a short season of very particular laundry problems.

Here is how to handle the four we see most at this time of year, and when it is worth handing a coat to a professional instead.

1. Candle wax: let it set first

Wax from candles, lanterns and pumpkins is tempting to wipe off straight away, but warm wax just spreads further into the fabric.

Leave it to harden, or put the item in the freezer for an hour. Then lift off as much as you can with the back of a blunt knife.

Lay brown paper or kitchen roll over what is left and press with a warm iron, moving the paper as it soaks up the wax. Check the care label first, and use a low setting on synthetics.

Coloured wax can leave a dye mark behind, so treat that with a stain remover before the item goes in the wash.

2. Mud: wait until it is dry

A damp evening on a field means muddy jeans, coats and trainers. Scrubbing wet mud pushes it deeper into the fibres.

Let it dry fully, then brush off as much as you can outside. Rub a little liquid detergent into the mark and leave it for a few minutes before washing as the label suggests.

3. Bonfire smoke: air it before you wash it

Smoke smell clings to wool, fleece and padded jackets, and it rarely goes away on its own in a wardrobe.

Hang the item outside or by an open window for a day. Steam from a hot shower helps lift the smell too. Then wash or clean it as the care label says.

Avoid covering the smell with perfume or fabric spray. It only mixes with the smoke and makes it harder to remove later.

4. Winter coats: a quick check before the first cold day

Coats that spent the summer in a wardrobe can come out creased, dusty or with damage you have not spotted yet.

Empty the pockets and look closely at the collar, cuffs and lining for small holes, which can be a sign of moths. Give wool coats a firm brush with a clothes brush to lift dust and bring back the nap.

Follow the care label. Coats marked dry clean only should not go in the washing machine, and padded or down coats need a gentle cycle and a low, slow dry if the label allows washing at all.