Jacket or down jacket

A down jacket, like any thing, gets dirty when worn and needs to be washed. Only it requires a special approach so as not to spoil the appearance and thermal insulation properties.

Washing by hand and in a washing machine is allowed, but the specific method is determined individually.

To do this, just look at the label, which contains the manufacturer’s recommendations. If there are no specific restrictions, then it is recommended to use an automatic machine. Only in this case do they adhere to certain rules - at what function and temperature to wash.

The exception will be the presence of non-detachable natural fur and leather inserts. In this case, it is better to use dry cleaning services.

Can I wash it at home?

Before you start washing the down jacket yourself, study the label, which indicates what the product is made of.

For the upper, synthetic materials are usually taken (nylon, polyester, polyamide, leather and eco-leather), resistant to external factors.

The label also provides recommendations for washing, drying, spinning, ironing (it is possible or impossible to perform certain operations). The explanation of the icons on the clothing label is given below:

Preparatory activities

Before washing, prepare the item accordingly:

• the existing non-removable fittings are tied with a plain (non-fading) fabric, the belt with a metal buckle is removed (washed separately by hand);
• unfasten the hood (if possible);
• take out the contents of the pockets and check them for holes that should be sewn up (otherwise fluff will come out during the washing process);
• fasten all existing fasteners and turn them inside out (helps to avoid deformation of the product);
• the most contaminated places (cuffs, collar, hem) are pre-moistened, soaped with laundry soap and lightly rubbed with hands.

We stock up on balloons or balls

If you plan to wash in an automatic machine, then You can’t do without special balls.

They prevent the filler from clumping and help remove stubborn stains. You can take tennis balls, but only large ones made of fabric, not plastic. 3-4 pieces are enough.

When choosing tennis balls, preference is given to dull coverings. Otherwise, you may encounter molting. To be on the safe side, they are pre-soaked in boiling water with the addition of bleach.

For more information on selecting and preparing balls, see this article, and step-by-step instructions for washing with balls - Here.

Special detergents

Choose your cleaning product carefully. Standard washing powders are not suitable, as they foam a lot and are difficult to wash out. As a result, the down jacket will become covered with unsightly spots and will form a solid lump.

Read more about the rules for choosing a detergent for washing a down jacket. Here And Here.

3 options for cleaning the product

There are several washing methods winter jacket:

• automatic;
• manual;
• dry.

The first option is the fastest, but requires compliance with specific parameters. The manual approach is more labor-intensive.

The third case is acceptable when the item is partially dirty and it is not rational to wash it completely.

In an automatic washing machine: on what mode and at what temperature

When the item is prepared, you can proceed to the washing procedure. At what degrees and in what program should a down jacket be washed?

Universal step-by-step instructions:

1. Place the down jacket in the washing drum.
2. Detergent is poured into a separate compartment (the amount is reduced by a quarter specified in the instructions). You can additionally use fabric conditioner.
3. Set the delicate operating mode and the washing temperature to no higher than 30 °C.
4. After completing the cycle, restart the rinse so that the soap residue is completely washed out of the fabric and filling.
5. For spinning, it is enough to set no more than 600 rpm.
6. Then the product is removed and dried.

How to wash by hand?

The instructions are as follows:

1. Pour warm water into any large container at a temperature of up to 30–35 °C.
2. Add detergent and stir until completely dissolved.
3. The down jacket is completely immersed in the solution and begins to be washed dynamically, but carefully.
4. Finally, lightly wring out and rinse several times under running warm tap water. You cannot twist the item, otherwise the shape will be lost.

Even more information about hand washing Here.

Recommendations depending on the filler

In general, the technology for washing winter jackets is the same, but there are some nuances depending on the type of filler:

Even for such clothes, both machine and hand wash are suitable. In the first case, they adhere to generally accepted technology, but do not put balls in the machine - they can damage the outer fabric.

Find out how to wash a down jacket without balls here.

But the second option implies certain features:

1. The down jacket is hung over the bathtub.
2. Water it from the shower until it is completely moistened. Then start washing using a soapy sponge. Gels for delicate items or shampoos with neutral pH are used as detergents.
3. First they process it from the front side, then turn it inside out and proceed in the same way.
4. After completion, rinse the down jacket with clean water.

Do not squeeze or twist too hard. Therefore, leave it in the same position for several hours to allow the water to drain. After this, lay the item horizontally on the fabric. Drying usually takes up to 4 days.

You can read more information about the Columbia Omni Hit down jacket in this And this article.

Dry method

Since the down jacket does not tolerate frequent washing, you should not “injure” it again. For minor contamination, dry cleaning is recommended., which is no less effective and safe for the filler. You can do this yourself at home.

In addition to folk remedies, there are many ready-made preparations for cleaning down jackets. They are sold in the form of: sprays, powders, gels, shampoos.

More detailed information about dry washing is collected in given article.

How to refresh fur?

If it is artificial, then just rinse it in a solution of water and detergent. Do not apply excessive force, just rinse lightly.

After this, rinse under running water.Do not comb wet fur, but wait until it dries slightly.

The natural edge cannot be wetted under any circumstances.. To refresh, you can treat it with table vinegar, after moistening a cotton swab with it.

You can find detailed instructions on cleaning fur on a down jacket at this link.

How to dry?

After washing, it is important to dry the down jacket properly. They do this exclusively in a natural way.

Immediately after washing, unfasten all fasteners, pull out the pockets and unfold the product. Hang on hangers over the bathtub to drain the remaining water (if hand washed). You can periodically lightly squeeze individual areas with your hands.

If the down jacket was washed in a machine, then before placing it in a vertical position, you need to loosen the filler manually. Then it will be distributed over the entire area in an even layer.

Dry the item in a well-ventilated area, away from heating appliances. and not in direct sunlight.

It is unacceptable to use a hairdryer to speed up the process. Periodically straighten the down by hand so that it settles evenly in the cells and dries faster.

Even more information about drying a down jacket Here.

What to do with defects that arise after the procedure?

It happens that after wet cleaning, the jacket changes for the worse - it becomes shapeless or with fluff sticking out. This is possible if the washing rules are not followed or the wrong mode on the machine is selected.

It happens that conspicuous whitish marks remain on the fabric. divorces (detergent not completely rinsed off). They are easy to remove after rinsing again.

For productivity, you can additionally go over them with a cleaning brush. Yellow streaks remain from improper drying.

Find out about proper washing of down jackets without streaks and lumps at this article.

If you have difficulty straightening the fluff, you can read this article, padding polyester - this publication.

Professional advice

In order not to spoil the down jacket during the washing process, You should pay attention to a number of tips that have been tested in practice:

• when doing local cleaning, do not use hard-bristled brushes and do not apply excessive force;
• do not use detergents containing chlorine;
• stubborn stains are rubbed off, moving from the edge to the center;
• Only one down jacket is placed in the machine;
• It is not recommended to wash the jacket in a washing machine if fluff has come out along the seams (this will completely ruin the item);
• if the product is large, then additionally place a towel in the drum, which will prevent bloating;
• the down jacket should not be soaked or bleached;
• Rinsing two or three times helps to avoid the formation of streaks after drying.

You will find a lot of useful and important information about washing outerwear in this section.

Conclusion

Now you know how to properly wash a down jacket at home in an automatic washing machine so that the down does not get tangled or rolled up; what washing mode to choose, at what temperature to wash, at what speed to dry.

And if you follow all the recommendations, you can be sure of the safety of the down jacket after washing. This has been tested in practice and confirmed by experts.