Useful tips on how to wash your Columbia Omni-Heat jacket in the machine and by hand

Columbia winter jackets attract with their signature appearance and excellent performance characteristics.

They are sewn using a unique technology called Omni-Heat.

If a down jacket made using this technology is washed in the usual way in a washing machine, the down inside will form clumps, it will lose the properties of warm clothing, and unsightly stains will appear on the fabric.

But if you know the rules for caring for a down jacket, it can last for many years, remaining comfortable, warm and presentable.

Preparing the Columbia Omni-Heat Down Jacket for Washing

Proper washing begins with careful preparation. The first step is to find the label that contains recommendations for caring for the jacket. If there is an icon on the label that allows you to wash the product without any restrictions, you can start preparing.

It includes the following actions:

• all locks, zippers, buttons are fastened;
• if there are edges or any fastened parts made of natural fur, they should be unfastened;
• the most contaminated areas (usually the inside of the collar, cuffs and areas where the jacket comes into contact with the bag or backpack) are best pre-washed by hand using a delicate detergent;
• with washed and soaked stains, you need to leave the down jacket for a while, about an hour;
• Before machine washing, the jacket must be turned inside out.

How to wash by hand correctly?

To preserve the original characteristics of the jacket longer, it is better wash it by hand. But this, of course, is only relevant for people who wear things carefully, without leaving complex, difficult-to-remove stains on them.

It is very difficult to wash a down jacket simply in a bathtub or basin, since it becomes very heavy when wet. Therefore, it is recommended to wash by hanging the jacket on hangers secured with a rope above the bathtub.

The hangers should be wide and strong, otherwise the wet jacket will fall off them. Before washing, the down jacket is completely buttoned up to the very top of the neck.

The item must first be thoroughly wetted with a shower, and then all areas should be treated with a sponge and soapy water.. The following can be used as a solution:

• delicate washing gel;
• laundry soap soaked in water;
• any shampoo;
• You can take a cleaning product for upholstered furniture.

Omni-Heat down jackets should never be cleaned with rough brushes. The use of aggressive abrasive detergents is not allowed. By breaking these rules, you can easily ruin the item.

After the front side of the down jacket is washed, it needs to be removed and turned inside out. Washing lining fabric should be done with no less care and caution.

After finishing the treatment with soapy water, you need to rinse the jacket thoroughly with cool water from the shower on both sides. This process requires care and patience. If a little soap composition remains on the fabric, after the product dries it will turn into whitish stains.

To make the jacket dry faster and avoid a musty smell, It is advisable to place it close to the battery. In addition, it must be periodically turned over and turned one way or the other.

In the washing machine

How to wash a Columbia Omni-Heat jacket in an automatic washing machine? Machine washing requires less effort and removes dirt more effectively.

Wash the down jacket Can be done in delicate wash mode setting the minimum time.

Machine wash the Omni-Heat jacket only on a delicate cycle and using gentle gels.

When washing in a machine, the chemical detergent penetrates deeper into the structure of the fabric and has a more intense effect on the product. Therefore, the choice of washing gel in this case should be especially careful.

The ideal option is a special gel for machine washing of delicate items.. Hand wash detergent will foam a lot and may not rinse completely. Can only be used liquid products.

• temperature no more than 30 degrees;
• time is minimal;
• delicate wash mode.

You can simply wash it without spinning, and then dry it as in the case of hand washing.

It is better to wash a down jacket without any other items. When products made from different fabrics are processed simultaneously, various undesirable effects are possible. You should also add 2-3 tennis balls or laundry balls.

Jacket with membrane You can soak it briefly before machine washing. But it’s better to simply treat the most contaminated areas with soapy water and leave for an hour without soaking.

The product cannot be squeezed by hand, you can only dry it in the machine at minimum speed or hang it out to dry naturally.

Drying and ironing

Drying jackets Columbia is first placed on hangers or a special dryer until the moisture has completely drained. Then the product is placed vertically so that the wet fluff does not slide down.

It will dry completely in only two days.. You cannot speed up the process by placing the jacket on a heating radiator or using any heating devices (some use hair dryers or steam irons).

The dried down jacket needs to be inspected. If the fluff is clumped in some places into small lumps, it must be gently kneaded with your hands.

If the outer fabric requires ironing, it can be treated with a steamer, but only when the entire product is completely dry and in compliance with all safety rules.

Conclusion

Columbia Omni Hit down jackets are very convenient, comfortable and stylish outerwear. They are not cheap at all and are purchased with the expectation of several seasons. Wherein It's very easy to ruin a down jacket, just wash it incorrectly. Therefore, it is so important to adhere to certain principles of care.

Down jackets must not be twisted by hand.. They can only be hung or laid out to dry naturally.