The most common outerwear for winter is a down jacket, as it is not only warm, but also comfortable for everyday wear. The question arises of how to wash a jacket when it gets dirty; there are several options: take it to the dry cleaner or wash it in the washing machine.
To wash a down jacket in a washing machine, first of all, you need to carefully study the label sewn inside, because it states in detail whether it can be loaded into the machine, how and at what temperature, whether spinning is allowed and at how many revolutions. After all, when washed, the fluff will turn into a lump, and then it will be difficult to fluff it up. Therefore, some things are prohibited from being washed and dried in a washing machine; this fact must also be taken into account; then they are dry-cleaned. Owners of down jackets are afraid to wash them in a machine, and in vain, because if you follow simple rules, washing will not bring any trouble.
In stores there is a large selection of various detergents intended for washing woolen products. They also sell special balls for washing, so that the fluff does not roll off; you can also use large tennis balls. More recently, tourmaline spheres have appeared, they are much more convenient for washing things, they also put them in the washing machine. Then do not use detergents and laundry balls.
If you decide to wash your down jacket, you should not use synthetic washing powders due to the fact that it is difficult to rinse and may leave white streaks after drying.In addition, powders stick down together, which reduces the ability to warm and you can freeze in it in extreme cold.
How to wash a down jacket in a machine
- It is recommended to close all the zippers and turn it inside out, with the lining on top. Unfasten the hood, fur, belt, it is better to wash them by hand. The down jacket can get caught and torn, be sure to take out all items from the pockets.
- Before this, if there are any stains, then pre-rub them with soap, powder or stain remover and clean with a brush. The washing machine may not cope with too strong stains, and the wash will have to be washed again.
- Then put the jacket in the machine together with the balls, they will help not to collect fluff in one place.
- The main rule is to wash down jackets on a delicate mode or for hand washing. There are also washing machines on sale that have a function for washing down products. The temperature should not be higher than 30 degrees, otherwise the quality of the down jacket may deteriorate.
- Add special detergents for washing. On sale are "Laska", "Vorsinka". Be sure to rinse several times, it is necessary to rinse out the remains of the detergent. Set the rinse mode to 2-3 times, the more, the better.
- Spin at the lowest speed, from 600 to 800. If you do not spin the down jacket and leave it to drain, then the fluff inside will dry for a long time and form lumps, and the product will lose its appearance, and will no longer protect from the cold.
- Dry by hanging it on a hanger outside or on the balcony, shaking it occasionally so that the fluff does not get lost, then hang it near heat sources and dry on both sides.You cannot place down items on a heating source, as this will cause the down to become brittle and not warm. Some people dry the inside with a hairdryer.
After the item has dried, knead the fluff by hand so that there are no lumps. If there are stains left on the product, then it is rinsed again several times, or washed again. It is not recommended to squeeze down jackets with your hands. There is another way to knead the fluff using a vacuum cleaner at low power.
Not recommended
- put several items in the washing machine;
- pre-soak the down jacket in water for an hour or a day;
- put other things along with the down jacket;
- wash on intensive wash or stain removal modes;
- wash at temperatures above 30 degrees;
- washing in a semi-automatic machine, the result will not be effective;
- use washing powder;
- add bleaches, fabric softeners;
- wash the product regularly;
- use plastic balls;
- dry on a radiator or heater;
- iron.
Troubleshooting after washing
If the washing instructions are not followed, the item can be damaged, so it is important to follow three basic rules: consider the washing mode, the use of special products and proper drying.
Not all jackets with down fillings tolerate washing well. Basically, after the first wash, failures await in the form of streaks and crumpled fluff. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent this; if it happens, the situation can be corrected. If you load a dried down jacket with balls into the washing machine and put it on the “spin” mode, they will knock down the down in the filler again and the product will take on its previous shape. This procedure is repeated up to three times.
Stains usually appear if the detergent is not suitable for washing down jackets. It is necessary to carefully select them, and it is better to purchase a special liquid product specifically for down products. After finishing washing, put it on the “rinse” mode several times. Then divorces will not spoil the mood.
Another problem you may encounter during the initial wash of the product. The fact is that fluff can release the fat remaining on them, and it can appear on the front side, creating greasy spots. Therefore, it is not recommended to wash a down jacket at high temperatures. This problem should not appear in previous washes.
If stains do appear, the most effective way is to rinse thoroughly.
Stains on products may also appear when they are dried from direct sunlight, that is, some areas fade. They are difficult to get rid of and regular washing will not solve this problem.
Down jackets should be washed in the summer, then they will dry quickly and naturally.
How to choose a detergent
As you know, down jackets are washed with liquid detergents. How to choose the right one. Firstly, it must be indicated in the instructions what is intended for down products. Down contains a component that retains thermal insulation, and other means can be washed, but down may lose it. The product intended for fluff does not bunch it up and does not form lumps.
Washing capsules are also available for sale; they are placed in the drum along with the clothes; you can use them, but they must be designed for washing down.
Experts do not recommend using regular washing powders for down jackets, since it will be very difficult to wash them, and whitish stains may appear on dark clothes.
It is possible to wash your outerwear in a washing machine, but you should be very careful when choosing detergents and if you follow simple recommendations, you will not be able to ruin the item. It is better to purchase an expensive product for down products than to experiment with cheap analogues. Carefully study the washing cycle label on the down jacket.
It is important not only to wash the down jacket correctly, but also to dry it correctly, then the item will last for more than one season.
