If your favorite down jacket requires water treatment, you can, of course, give it to dry cleaning specialists who will return the clothing to its original appearance. However, this option is not suitable for everyone and not always. Firstly, the service costs money. Secondly, dry cleaning is not always within walking distance. And thirdly, as a rule, the contract for the provision of dry cleaning services states that you yourself are responsible for how your clothes will endure the procedure.
But is it possible to wash a down jacket in a washing machine? Judging by the reviews and advice of experienced housewives, yes. Just be careful and careful. If you neglect some rules for caring for this outerwear, then cleaning can end very sadly - the jacket will look like a rag with the filling knocked into a shapeless lump. After this, it is almost impossible to restore the “fluffy” look of the down jacket. Therefore, in order not to shed tears over a thing that has hopelessly lost its appearance, arm yourself with detailed instructions for washing down jackets in the washing machine.
Preparatory stage
Outerwear with natural insulation does not require frequent washing. If there are only a couple of stains on your clothes, you can gently wash them with a foam sponge and soap. Just do not rinse the item under running water; carefully remove the soap scum using the same sponge. If the jacket is heavily soiled, you cannot do without washing. Before you start washing your down jacket in an automatic machine, you need to prepare the item for the procedure.
The preparation phase consists of four steps.
- Prepare your supplies. Buy laundry detergent, preferably liquid. We will also need several tennis balls and hangers for drying.
- Free yourself from unnecessary things. Before washing the down jacket in the washing machine, remove the fur from the hood, if any, and also fasten the fasteners, buttons and empty the pockets.
- Clean “special” places. Pre-wash the seams along the jacket, the fabric of the cuffs and collar, the piping at the pockets and near the fasteners so that they can be washed better. It is better to treat with laundry soap in order to get a clean jacket without streaks.
- Wrong side up. Turning the product inside out will prevent damage to the “front” side of the product and will help avoid deformation of the jacket.
If your down jacket has begun to “shed”, that is, feathers have come out of its seams, then most likely you will have to give up automatic washing - there is a risk that in the process of spinning the item in the drum it will lose even more filler. And the latter will also clog the drain hole of the household appliance.
How to dry the product
You should dry your down jacket at home in a vertical position. Turn the product right side out and hang it on suitable hangers. It is best to place it in a place with good air circulation, while ensuring that there is no direct sunlight.
If you know how to properly wash and dry a down jacket, it will last a long time without losing its aesthetic appeal and warming functions. A washed down jacket should not be placed near radiators or other heating devices. High temperatures destroy the structure of down and lead to loss of heat-preserving properties.
To ensure against the formation of lumps in the filler, periodically shake the product and knead it by hand until completely dry.
Let's get started: how to wash a down jacket in a washing machine
Place the item prepared for washing into the drum of your household cleaner. The mode for washing a down jacket should be gentle; most often you can find it in the special programs section. These are "delicate wash", "hand wash" or "wool".
A very important point: the water during washing should not heat up to more than 30°C, and spinning should not be performed at a speed of more than 500 revolutions. If the automatic mode you have selected does not meet these requirements, adjust the temperature level and spin speed manually.
Try washing the down jacket on a delicate cycle, and next time, for example, set the regulator to o. Over time, you will decide for yourself which program is best to wash your down jacket.
It is better to wash the jacket separately from other things. You will have to give up fabric softener, otherwise there will be streaks. Especially on dark fabrics. If necessary, you can rinse the product twice to completely eliminate any remaining detergent.
Powder, shampoo or gel
The result of home dry cleaning directly depends on the choice of detergent for washing down jackets in the washing machine. The best option would be a special shampoo for downy items, which can be found on the shelves of outerwear stores or in standard departments with powders and gels.
If it is not possible to purchase such a special bottle, use liquid laundry detergents in gel form, which are currently produced by many well-known brands (Ariel, Tide, Persil). They are sold in plastic bottles or capsules. You can also use liquid gel for woolen items such as “Weasel” or “Vorsinka”.
Avoid using regular washing powder, as it does not rinse out the insulation well and causes white streaks on the jacket.
What balls are needed and their quantity
The housewife who came up with the idea of washing fluffy winter jackets together with tennis balls should have a monument erected. Washing a down jacket with tennis balls prevents the jacket from losing its shape. This is the very secret that allows you to do without dry cleaning.
Small elastic balls, spinning in the drum of the washing machine, “whip” the jacket, preventing the filling from sticking and caking, and preventing the product itself from “sticking” to the drum.
It is better to buy balls for washing down jackets at a sports store. They should be heavy, rubberized, covered with a pile fabric on top. To wash a child’s jacket you will need two balls, an adult’s - three.
Spiked rubber balls are also suitable. The same ones that dog breeders usually use to play with their pets. You should not replace rubber balls with plastic ones - they will be of no use.
Try pre-washing tennis balls for down jackets to make sure the upholstery doesn't fade. Owners of light down jackets should not neglect this advice.
If there are no balls at hand
Housewives on online forums share their recommendations on how to wash a down jacket if there are no balls. There are two main tips here.
- Maintain the parameters. Keep the temperature low and do not exceed the spin speed.
- Beat the fluff. It will be necessary to thoroughly beat the down in the down jacket after washing. Many housewives use a carpet beater for this. It is better to break up stuck together lumps every two hours throughout the drying process.
Whipping does not provide an absolute guarantee that the procedure will be completed successfully. Therefore, if you have a high-quality, expensive jacket with natural filling (feather, down), then don’t skimp and buy balls. They will last for many years, and down items will definitely not lose their shape after washing.
What to do if spots appear
Often, after automatic washing, dark stripes and stains appear on clothes - this is “internal” dirt and dust. To remove stains on a down jacket after washing, try gently soaping the sponge with laundry soap and wiping away the stains, then rinse with water. Or use a stain remover for colored laundry: drop a couple of drops on the stained areas and after about fifteen minutes brush with a brush. In this case, the down jacket will need to be washed again.
If you notice greasy or yellow stains that have come from nowhere, then the “resuscitation” method will be as follows: drop a little dishwashing detergent on the stain, scrub with a brush and send the down jacket to be washed again.
Whitish stains on a washed item can only be eliminated by repeated rinsing.
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Features of cleaning jackets with different fillings
Down and feather are the most popular fillings for winter jackets. But there are other insulating materials that are also often used by outerwear manufacturers. Cleaning products with other insulation materials should also be carried out very carefully. How to wash a down jacket in a washing machine in this case?
- Camel's wool. A jacket with camel wool filling must be washed using the “wool” mode on the machine at a temperature not exceeding 30°C. The spin speed should not exceed 600 rpm. Choose a liquid detergent for wool or silk.
- Bio-Fluff. This synthetic substitute for natural down requires special care. Products with bio-down should also be washed on a delicate cycle at 40°C and a spin speed of no more than 400. Do not squeeze or twist the product with your hands, and it is better to dry bio-down in a horizontal position.
- Holofiber. Products filled with holofiber are less capricious than down ones. They can be washed by hand or in a machine in the delicate wash mode; they are not afraid of spinning at high speeds and deformation. Drying such things is also easy: hang the jacket on hangers over the bathtub or on the balcony. After drying, shake the product to return it to its former lush shape.
It’s not difficult to wash a down jacket correctly in an automatic machine so that the down does not bunch up. The most important rule is that before you start cleaning, carefully study the icons on the label, because the manufacturer may even prohibit washing the product. In this case, of course, you cannot do without professional help. Specialized companies may offer the option of dry cleaning with organic solvents. And also, if necessary, they will remove shine on the sleeves and near the zippers.
Partial cleaning of the down jacket
In some cases, a bulky down jacket with a lot of filling can be difficult to wash at home, especially if it must be done by hand. But that doesn't mean you need to spend money on dry cleaning. After all, knowing some secrets, you can perform partial cleaning, which allows you to get rid of stains and refresh particularly dirty areas.
Depending on the degree of contamination, this pre-treatment may be enough to restore your product to its aesthetically pleasing appearance. If it is very dirty, such a procedure will be a good preparation for further washing.
How to get rid of stains
The most problematic places that get dirty most often are the sleeves, hem and collar. Before washing, it is recommended to inspect them for heavy contamination and treat any stains found. To do this, you can use laundry soap: moisten the desired area with water, soap it and rub gently.
There are several more ways to remove stains, which we will be happy to share with you.
Hydrogen peroxide
If you own a light-colored product, a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia will help remove even old stubborn stains on it. They need to be combined in equal parts and wipe the stain with the resulting mixture. After forty minutes, the item must be washed to eliminate the ammonia smell. This can be done manually or using a machine. When working with ammonia, ensure good ventilation.
Pure hydrogen peroxide will help get rid of blood stains that accidentally get on the fabric of your jacket. You just need to soak a cotton pad in it and wipe the stained area. Then wait 10-15 minutes and rinse off the residue under running water.
When using ammonia to remove stains, it is advisable to wear gloves and a respirator.
Vinegar
Regular 9% table vinegar will help save your down jacket from various kinds of stains. To combat greasy stains, soak a cotton pad in it and wipe the stain several times before the main wash. You can also get rid of rust by wiping it with vinegar, waiting a few minutes, then removing the residue with a damp cloth.
To get rid of dirt stains, you need to prepare a solution of 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 500 ml of water. Moisten a cloth with the resulting liquid and wipe the dirty area with it. If the contamination is severe, the solution can be left for 15-20 minutes, then remove the residue with a damp sponge.
Dishwashing liquid
Another universal remedy for greasy stains that is found in every kitchen is dishwashing detergent. A teaspoon of this liquid should be dissolved in a glass of water, foamed well and the resulting solution applied with a sponge to the problem area. You should wait about 5 minutes, then remove the remaining detergent with a damp cloth.
Soap solution
If you are wondering how to properly wash a down jacket by hand, try doing it with a soap solution. It removes greasy stains perfectly. They can be used for pre-cleaning before the main wash.
To prepare such a solution, you should take liquid or laundry soap, grated, dilute it with warm water and treat the stain well from the edges to the middle with the resulting mixture. Afterwards, rinse the cleaned area with clean water.
How to get rid of unpleasant odor
If your down jacket has an unpleasant odor, most likely the drying rules were violated. Therefore, it is important not only to know how to wash a winter jacket, but also how to dry it properly.
To correct the situation, you will have to re-wash the product and dry it in accordance with the basic rules. Remember that after washing you must turn it out, beat and fluff the filling. During the drying process, fresh air should circulate around the down jacket.
