Rules and features of washing a down jacket

Down jacket - casual wear. That is why it is prone to contamination. But what better to do wash, clean, or just put aside until next season? Your attention is invited to consider options for how to wash a down jacket in a washing machine and what you need to know about it.

What down jackets can be washed

The manufacturer applies special designations to the label as a recommendation. For example, a hand in a bowl means that the item can only be washed by hand. The crossed-out image of the container - washing is prohibited at all. A picture of a washing machine in a circle makes it clear that you cannot use a washing machine.

There are other tips that you can and should be familiar with before washing. For example, about the rules of spinning, ironing, drying. Failure to follow the recommendations is fraught with consequences: for example, shrinkage of the fabric, loss of color, knockdown of the filler, and others. If there are no such markings on the tag, then washing is not prohibited.

Is it possible to wash a down jacket in a washing machine

If the tag does not prohibit washing in a typewriter, then it is permissible. But you still need to take into account important nuances. For example, pay attention to temperature conditions. Some things, and down jackets are no exception, cannot be washed in hot water. Others can only be washed by hand.

But here's what you definitely can't do:

• pre-soak before loading into the washing machine;
• set the temperature regime over 40 degrees;
• use bleach (regardless of cost);
• dry the item for more than two days.

IMPORTANT! Try not to violate the recommendations presented above, even if this will not be indicated on the tag.

How to properly prepare a down jacket for washing

It is important to be able to prepare a down jacket before starting washing. So, the recommendations below will help you properly prepare a down jacket for washing:

1. The zipper and buttons must be closed. If this is not done, then the elements of the fasteners can damage even the drum in the washing machine, and the thing will simply deteriorate.
2. There is no need to download additional items, even if there is space left. The down jacket should be washed alone.
3. The detergent must be liquid, designed for washing delicate fabrics.
4. The down jacket should dry in the fresh air.
5. The fur parts must be removed.

That's all the preparation. After completing it, you can proceed to the correct washing of the down jacket in the washing machine.

Which wash mode to choose

What should not be done is already clear. It's time to more specifically choose the washing mode. It is necessary to take into account the fact that high revolutions are not appropriate here, like hot water.

It is recommended to choose one of the following:

• synthetics;
• silk;
• handwash;
• wool;
• delicate wash.

In addition to gentle washing modes, you need to pay attention to rinsing. Some machines are programmed for several cycles, in other cases the option can be set independently.

IMPORTANT! It is not recommended to spin at more than 600 rpm. A thing may become unusable if these conditions are not met.

Rules for choosing a detergent - which is better

How to wash a down jacket in a washing machine as efficiently as possible? After choosing the correct mode and preparing the clothes for washing, you can proceed to the next stage - the choice of a cleaning agent. Powders should not be used, because they tend to leave specific stains and smudges. Therefore, you need to pay attention to gel products.

Read the composition carefully: it should not contain any mention of the content of bleaching agents. Softening conditioners should not be used either. Need to know:

1. home washing of down jackets with genuine leather inserts is not recommended (it is better to take the thing to a dry cleaner);
2. for a down jacket in which a synthetic winterizer serves as a filler, in the household chemicals section you need to find a product on the label which will indicate this material;
3. in the case of a feather-down filler, the corresponding detergent composition can be found in sports stores;
4. the membrane fabric is cleaned manually.

The washing method using ordinary baby shampoo is not very popular. When choosing powders, it is important to consider that they are free of abrasive particles.

Do I need to use balls

Laundry balls have won acclaim among housewives who find them an indispensable companion. They are needed primarily in order to prevent the fluff from caking. Another useful function is the improvement of the quality of washing of the material.

Among other advantages:

• balls for washing "liven up" clothes, making them more pleasant to the touch;
• the filler does not roll;
• with balls for washing, you can even do without special cleaning agents;
• despite the low price, the balls for washing serve for a long time.

Armed with such assistants, having correctly determined the washing mode and carrying out preparatory work, there will be no difficulties in eliminating even problematic contaminants.

If there are no balls

It is quite possible to do without balls. Especially if you are using the correct cleaning products, do not skimp on preparing the down jacket for washing. Modern automatic machines allow you to choose the most delicate mode, which will protect the item from damage.

But there is an opportunity to find an alternative, for example:

1. a couple of tennis balls (or better, more) can act as a worthy analogue;
2. baby toys in the form of silicone balls will similarly help to cope with pollution;
3. rubber balls (transparent) will also be an alternative replacement.

IMPORTANT! Do not use balls with pigments (colored), otherwise you will not be pleased with the consequences.

Is it possible to wring out the down jacket in the washing machine

Spin in the machine is permissible, but only at low speeds. But drying the down jacket in a typewriter is not worth it. Exceeding the 600 rpm mode. during spinning can damage the item irrevocably.But it is important to understand that actions after the end of washing are hardly the most important stage - the appearance of the product will depend on the correct drying.

After spinning, do the following:

1. unbutton and turn the down jacket inside out;
2. straighten it, as if feeling for the presence of lumps (if you find it, straighten them carefully);
3. hang in a well-ventilated area (on the balcony, for example).

Never try to dry the down jacket on a battery or in a horizontal position. Its appearance, thermal insulation capacity will be seriously impaired.

How often can a down jacket be washed

If the material is easily soiled, then the need to put your clothes in order arises much more often. But basically, the down jacket is washed 1-2 times per season. You need to understand that with each wash, the ability to retain moisture from penetrating into the fluff deteriorates. In addition, frequent washing results in:

• washing the color (the thing takes on the appearance of worn out);
• a decrease in the density of the filler (with all the ensuing consequences);
• the filler may start to bleed out;
• the outer layer wears out, the wind can penetrate the layer, cooling the filler itself, etc.

IMPORTANT! Washing is permissible, but most importantly, use the recommendations presented above.

Additional tips and tricks

The main merit of down is excellent thermal insulation. But this material also has its weaknesses, the main of which can be considered moisture. It is she who provokes the destruction of the structure of the fluff, provokes an unpleasant odor and deterioration of the physical properties of the filler.

A few useful recommendations will help keep your down jacket in perfect condition after washing:

1. Make sure the down jacket is completely dry before storing it. So that there is no doubt about this parameter, it is best to ventilate the thing in warm weather for a few days.
2. When drying a down jacket, try not to allow constant or prolonged exposure to the sun's best on its surface. This will undoubtedly lead to fading.
3. For storage, you need to purchase a special cotton cover. Unlike polyethylene, paper allows the filler to “breathe”.
4. The hangers should be wide. This will help prevent tissue deformations in the shoulder area.

Lavender will serve as protection against moths. Check the pockets before sending your clothes into the closet - if you forget something heavy in them, then the thing can stretch.

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