When bad weather prevails in the courtyard, it snows and plucks frost, it is so pleasant to enjoy the winter days without thinking that you will have to freeze on the street again. After all, a warm, comfortable down jacket can warm even in the most severe frosts. However, like any other part of the wardrobe, it requires regular cleaning from contamination. There are special rules for washing a down jacket in a washing machine.
What's inside the down jacket
One of the warmest natural fillers for outerwear is fluff. They take it from the lower plumage of waterfowl. It is such a filler that can not stick together and retain heat. The label usually indicates the ratio of fluff and feather (in the form of fractions). Jackets 90/10 or 80/20 are well suited for cold, long winters. A lower percentage of fluff will warm slightly worse. Leader is eiderdown, somewhat inferior to goose down. Also use swan or duck filler. Great if the jacket is stitched in small sections. In this case, without even using a special tool for washing the down jacket in the washing machine, it will be much easier to return it to its previous shape.
Laundry Detergents
If you choose between ordinary powder and liquid gel, then the latter should be preferred. Washing a down jacket in a washing machine, how to choose a tool that ideally cleans dirt - these are pretty important issues. Liquid powder is good in that it is easier to rinse, thereby avoiding stains. There are also many special products designed for washing down products. Often they can be bought at sports stores. Their peculiarity lies in the fact that the fat cover existing on the down is preserved. This detergent for washing a down jacket in a washing machine retains breathable properties and eliminates extraneous odor well. Below we will analyze the most popular brands. However, if it is not possible to purchase such a tool, then it is quite possible to get by with ordinary liquid powder. It is important that it does not have whitening properties, as this can lead to a change in the color of the jacket. Rinse aid is also best avoided. When choosing
a detergent for washing down jackets (which is better and more reliable), preference should be given to one that works effectively in cool water (this is indicated on the label).
Down Detergent Product Overview
Among conventional detergents, Ariel or Tide Liquid Capsules are often used. They do a good job of their task. Another equally popular tool is Down Wash & Clean. According to the manufacturer, it is able to preserve the grease that is present on the fluff. At the same time, it cleans fluffy products well, giving them softness and airiness. KONGUR Wash Delikate liquid washing gel erases such outerwear, as well as other sportswear or travelwear, just as delicately. Suitable for both hand and machine wash. But the leader, according to reviews, is a tool from Domal - SPORT FEIN FASHION. Among the advantages, it is important to note the excellent quality of cleaning, a pleasant smell and ease of use. It is also important that this gel does not leave streaks. Bright down jackets retain their original appearance without losing their warming qualities. The only thing that can be called a disadvantage is that greasy stains cannot be removed.
Domestic manufacturers also produce good funds. One of them has the name "Detergent for washing articles of fluff and feather". After cleaning, the jacket easily acquires lightness, fluff perfectly fills sections and does not stick together. And all the pollution just disappears. Moreover, its price is much lower than imported funds.
Hand wash down jacket
Washing fluff products with your hands is a rather troublesome task. But still quite doable. To begin with, you should dilute the liquid gel in warm water. The most polluted places can be well rubbed with soap. Then you need to thoroughly rinse the jacket, at least three times. When unscrewing, do not apply all the force, it is better to squeeze the down jacket and hang it to dry. From time to time it needs to be shaken slightly so that the fluff does not stick together. A huge disadvantage of such washing is that when wet, the fluff becomes quite heavy. Of course, for gentle and fragile women, this event is worth a lot of effort. Many of the fear of spoiling your favorite product does not resort to such a method as washing a down jacket in a washing machine. How to choose a tool, we have already learned. Now you need to find out about the correct cleaning technology in the automatic machine so that the down jacket will please and warm for more than one year.
How to wash a down jacket in a washing machine. Washing secrets
First of all, you need to carefully study the tag. If there is no sign that indicates only hand washing, you can safely use a machine. Many owners of such outerwear greatly facilitate the life of washing a down jacket in a washing machine. The subtleties of washing should be carefully observed. In order to avoid deformation of the fabric and damage to the accessories, all zippers, buttons, buttons must be buttoned. No need to remind you that the contents of the pockets should be checked and removed. Only a down jacket should be placed in the drum of the machine. It should have space for quality cleaning and good rinsing.
Many washing machines have a “hand wash” mode. It is the best suited for products from fluff.
You can also use the delicate mode. Often, housewives put along with a down jacket several tennis balls so that the fluff does not go astray. On sale you can also find special balls for washing such jackets.
After this step, a thorough rinse is necessary to remove all the detergent for washing the down jacket in the washing machine. Such a cycle should be started at least 3 times. Many people are concerned about the question "can I squeeze the down jacket?". It is best not to use spin during the main program, but with an additional rinse you can turn it on at low speeds. The answer to the question of how to wash a down jacket in a washing machine without stains correctly is simple - do not neglect the additional rinse. It’s better to spend more time, but not to spoil the thing. Another secret: rinsing can be replaced by short washing at 30 ° C. In this case, you do not need to add any detergent for washing the down jacket in the washing machine. This will make it possible to rinse the product in warm water, which will also help to avoid streaks.
Temperature mode
Usually on the label there is information about what temperature is permissible for this product. If it is not there, it is recommended to wash at 30-40 ° C. But you can not cope with heavy spots at a low temperature. Contaminated areas such as sleeves, collars, and the bottom of the jacket can be pre-washed manually in hotter water. However, do not leave a down pad detergent in the washing machine or ordinary laundry soap for longer than 15 minutes. If a greasy stain is found on outer clothing, then you can cope with it using starch, salt and lemon juice. All ingredients must be mixed to the consistency of sour cream and applied to the spots. After 10 minutes, clean the product and you can start washing.
Dry down jacket
The process of properly drying the down jacket is very important to achieve a good result. Usually, after the jacket has been removed from the washing machine, it looks rather deplorable. The fluff has gone astray, concentrated in one place, and the product itself resembles a windbreaker rather than winter outerwear. Therefore, first you need to shake it well, and do it regularly. If possible, fluff can be distributed by hand into sections. Then it should be hung on a coat hanger and left to dry. If the entire filler has rolled down, it is better to choose a horizontal position for drying. So you can avoid rotting down. But do not leave it in this form for a long time. A few hours later, after the next shaking, the down jacket should be returned to a vertical position. The main thing is not to allow the fluff to remain wet for a long time.
Mistakes to Avoid
The temperature of washing a down jacket should not exceed 40 ° C. Categorically you should not soak a down jacket for a long time. Tools that tint or bleach, will not bring benefits, but only spoil the appearance. It is very strictly necessary to monitor the drying of the jacket. Do not let it be wet for more than 2 days. If time passes, and the down jacket is not dry, then it is better to place it somewhere near heat sources. And in no case do not use towels, blankets on which to place the product. This only prevents the penetration of air and leads to decay of the fluff. Tennis balls must be washed separately before use to see if they stain water. And yet, fluffy products are quite delicate and can lose their properties from improper cleaning. Therefore, washing them is often not recommended.