Recommendations from experienced housewives: how to wash a down jacket with tennis balls?

A down jacket is a functional, comfortable, practical and irreplaceable item in your wardrobe.

The more popular such outerwear became, the more often people wondered how to wash them so that things did not lose their appearance and lasted as long as possible.

A universal solution is tennis balls, washing with which removes stains, distributes the filler and protects the fabric from pilling.

The secret is not to simply throw balls into the washing machine drum. You need to apply a simple algorithm of actions so that the result is perfect.

Proper preparation of the product

Down jackets do not need to be washed more than 1-3 times a month. After washing water-repellent impregnation decreases, the jacket loses its fluffiness and provides poorer protection from adverse weather conditions.

Even after mechanical cleaning, there is no 100% guarantee that the down jacket will retain its shape, since chemical reagents lead to rapid wear of the fabric.

Dry cleaning takes several days, is not cheap, inexperienced craftsmen can ruin the thing.

Previously, washing machines were not suitable for washing outerwear. Nowadays, most automatic machines have this function. It is safer to wash a down jacket yourself.

• leather inserts, leather may shrink or fade when washed;
• fur elements that are not removable.

Pre-prepare your jacket for washing.

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Take everything out of your pockets.
2. Check for tears, if found, sew them up.
3. Unfasten the hood, hanging accessories, and belt with metal buckle. If the fittings cannot be removed, tie them with fabric that does not fade.
4. Check the jacket for stains; if there are any, wash the area with laundry soap and set the jacket aside for 20-30 minutes.
5. If the sleeves, hem or collar of the down jacket are especially dirty, clean with detergent. Laundry soap or liquid stain remover is also suitable, scrub with a brush. Grease and sweat stains are easily removed with dishwashing liquid. Cosmetics - medical alcohol.
6. Fasten all zippers, buttons and rivets.
7. Unfasten the fur.
8. Turn the clothes inside out.
9. You can use a special bag to wash your jacket to avoid deformation and tearing.

How many balls do you need and what kind?

Tennis balls wash clothes more efficiently. Each ball, when the drum rotates, whips up the filler, dirt is washed out of clothes faster, and the spin mode consolidates the effect.

Why for washing down jackets Do they use tennis balls?

Their advantages are obvious:

• available both in price and place of purchase;
• durable, can be used an unlimited number of times when washing;
• have the optimal weight to beat the filler and not damage the washing machine drum.

Tennis balls need to be prepared for washing. This is a mandatory step so that the paint does not transfer from them to the jacket when washed.

There are two ways:

1. Soak for several hours in a strong bleach solution.
2. Pour boiling water for 10 minutes, then put it in a container with bleach and rinse many times.

Experienced housewives recommend using 3-4 balls when washing a down jacket.

Replacement options tennis balls for washing outerwear:

1. Special plastic balls for washing. They have spikes and are lighter in weight than tennis spikes, so they throw 4 or more pieces into the drum. The price of one is from 100 rubles.
2. Tourmaline balls. This is a modern development: inside the balls there are more than 80 detergents and small granules that soften the water. They are used repeatedly instead of laundry detergent. The number of balls depends on the manufacturer. After use they are dried. Price 1 piece - from 300 rubles.
3. Small magnetic balls. Also specially developed for washing, they promote better penetration of the detergent, which is needed in 2 times less, into the product. The service life is more than 20 years. 6 pieces are enough for one wash. Price 1 piece - from 300 rubles.

Washing a jacket step by step

So, how to wash a down jacket in a washing machine with tennis balls? Step-by-step washing instructions:

1. Check the washing conditions on the product label.
2. Prepare your jacket for washing.
3. Prepare tennis balls if you have not used them before.
4. Load the down jacket into the drum of the washing machine.
5. Place 3-4 balls in the drum.
6. Pour detergent into the compartment.
7. Add fabric softener if desired.
8. Use the wash cycle for delicate fabrics/down jackets. Typically, down is washed at 40 degrees, but check the label for the temperature required for your item.
9. Turn on the “extra rinse” function to avoid streaks.
10. Choose the lowest speed possible. The spin should be soft.
11. Run the program and don’t be afraid of the balls hitting.

Best to use liquid products. For example:

1. Gels: “Unipuh”, “Eco Nordland”, “Ostrich” and “Heitmann” products, “Meule Washing Gel Colour”, etc. Price from 250 rubles per 1 liter.
2. Capsules: “Ariel Power Mountain Spring”, “Persil Duo-caps”, etc. Price from 230 rubles.
3. Shampoos, balms: “Domal SPORT FEIN FASHION”, “Eco Nordland Sport”, etc. Price from 470 rubles per 1 liter.

How to wash a down jacket at home in a washing machine with balls:

Drying Features

Dry the down jacket after washing need it as quickly as possible. It is not recommended to use machine drying, as it can destroy the insulating properties of down and feathers.

Drying tips:

1. Dry in an upright position only.
2. Turn the down jacket and pockets inside out, hang it on a hanger with wide hangers and be sure to fasten all the fasteners to restore its shape.
3. Dry in a well-ventilated area. The down jacket should not be exposed to sunlight.
4. Periodically turn the product inside out and shake it so that the fluff dries evenly.
5. Once completely dry, place the down jacket and 3-4 tennis balls in the washing machine drum and turn on the spinner only.

Conclusion

Now you don't have to be afraid to wash your down jacket. If there are no restrictions on your product label, wash your jacket with tennis balls.

Do not forget about the preliminary preparation of the down jacket and balls. If you follow the washing instructions and use the drying tips, your down jacket will be as good as new.