Before washing a down jacket in a washing machine, you need to check the pockets, unfasten the overlays (collar, fur inserts), turn the product inside out, and remove additional accessories. To ensure high-quality cleaning of the item, it is recommended to select a suitable temperature mode, a safe detergent, and install a program.
How to prepare outerwear for washing
A down jacket is considered a practical item for an autumn-winter wardrobe. Regular treatment of products from dirt and dust can be done in dry cleaners using specialized equipment, gentle detergent compositions for lining, filling, etc. At home, a down jacket can be processed in a washing machine or manually, subject to a number of requirements.
Experts recommend:
- pre-prepare the product;
- remove additional elements;
- select the appropriate washing mode, water temperature;
- purchase a detergent that matches the type of fabric and filler (synthetic padding, wool).
Remove detachable elements
Properly remove detachable parts on a down jacket. Remove fur from the hood, collar, decorative elements (badges, ribbons, snap-on appliqués), etc. from the product in order to prevent deformation and staining of inserts and parts.
Colored parts should be washed separately. Remove fresh dirt from the down jacket with a napkin or damp sponge. You can pre-clean the sleeves and collar by hand.
Experts recommend dry cleaning products with non-detachable dyed fur.
Check pockets
Pre-check the pockets in the product. There should be no metal objects, wrappers, or sharp objects that could deform or stain the down jacket when washing. There should be no holes in the lining of the product, because the fluff will be damaged during processing.
Prepared clothes must be fastened with zippers or other fasteners, turned inside out to protect the upper fabric from wear in the metal drum at a high number of revolutions, to avoid the formation of streaks and pellets.
Read the recommendations on the label
It is worth studying the information on the label. On the label, the manufacturer indicates the rules for caring for the down jacket, the composition of the fabric, filler, requirements for the powders, gels used, etc. If there is a hand wash icon, experts recommend refusing to process the down jacket in an automatic machine.
The tag also contains several designations:
- Type of filler. The material can be synthetic (holofiber, synthetic winterizer) or natural (wool, feather).
- Temperature conditions for processing.It is not allowed to wash the product in water that does not meet the manufacturer’s requirements.
- Possibility of using bleach. For some colored children's products, the use of an alkaline chemical is unacceptable due to possible staining and streak formation.
- Washing mode. Contains information about the possibility of processing the product in water, permissible loads, etc.
Selecting mode and temperature
It is optimal to wash the product separately from linen and other wardrobe items. In a machine with a load of up to 3.5–4 kg, you can process a small down jacket.
The washing mode is selected in accordance with the data indicated on the label or general recommendations for cleaning demi-season products. The water temperature should normally not be higher than +30…+40°C.
Some machines have a special mode for processing outerwear. However, you can also choose the option of washing delicate items, silk, and wool items. It is recommended to turn off the spin function and select a mode up to 600–800 rpm, so as not to deform outer clothing. When running at higher speeds, the filler (down, feather, holofiber) in clothing may roll up and become deformed.
After completing the wash, turn on the rinse option to remove any remaining chemical detergent. If necessary, install a double cycle.
Washing machines of some brands (LG, etc.) have special options for processing duvets, pillows, and outerwear.
The need for balls when washing a down jacket
You can use small tennis balls for washing. They must be used to prevent the filler from rolling off. The down jacket with balls is placed in a special fabric bag or machine chamber.For bulky items, a large number of wash balls are required (standard - about 4–8 pcs.).
The best SMS in powder or gel form
When processing products, experts recommend using detergent concentrates and powders that have passed the examination and do not contain harmful substances. According to user reviews, the top good laundry detergents include products from the brands Tide, Ariel, Persil, Sonrisa, etc.
Tide
Tide Color is suitable for a down jacket. The formula contains anionic surfactants, enzymes, and aromatic additives. The presence of aqua powder in the composition reduces the time for activating substances, cleansing the tissue, and reduces the consumption of resources.
The product easily dissolves in water and washes away dirt and rinses quickly.
The manufacturer produces SMS in packages ranging from 450 g to 9 kg. The product is universal and suitable for loading into any type of washing mashine, but is not used for down jackets containing wool or silk fibers.
Persil
Persil Color powder is universal, suitable for machine and hand wash. Cleans synthetic, cotton, combined fabrics (not recommended for processing silk and wool). Suitable for white and colored laundry.
The product maintains color intensity, prevents rapid wear of clothes, effectively and quickly removes stains due to active ingredients, and does not leave streaks on clothes.
Persil Power Deep Clean gel is intended for machine washing and hand processing of clothes. To properly clean a down jacket with its help, you need a water temperature within +30…+40°C. Subject to the processing conditions, the product helps eliminate any contamination.
The manufacturer produces the powder in packages from 450 g to 9 kg, the gel in containers of 1.3 and 1.95 liters. The validity period of SMS is 3 years.
Ariel
Ariel “Mountain Spring” powder is designed for processing clothes in different washing machines. Designed for cleaning mixed fabrics (except silk and wool).
The composition contains surfactants, phosphonates, bleaches, enzymes, zeolites, and aromatic additives. Due to the consistency (powdery fractions) and special formula (the presence of active oxygen), the powder quickly dissolves in water, reduces washing and rinsing time, and reduces resource consumption.
The manufacturer supplies packaging from 450 g to 6–9 kg. Product shelf life is 24 months.
Sonrisa
Universal washing gel: suitable for different types of fabrics, incl. black, colored, white, down jackets, sportswear and wool products.
The product is safe and quickly cleans things. Additionally, it helps maintain the richness of fabric shades, gives clothes freshness, and removes stains. Used for washing in automatic machines, can be used for processing children's underwear (from 3 years old).
Gel concentrate can be stored for up to 36 months. The products are sold in 4 liter packs.
Idel
The gel is suitable for hand washing and automated machines. Helps effectively remove dirt from membranes and down jackets, gives products an antistatic effect and freshness. Used as an alternative to laundry soap and stain remover.
The product is hypoallergenic, based on essential oils. Suitable for treating children's clothing and for people with sensitive skin.
Standard packaging size is 3 liters. Shelf life – up to 24 months.
“Spin” program for a down jacket
Experts recommend turning off the “Spin” option when washing down jackets.After cleaning, the product must be gently squeezed over the bathtub, then wrapped in a terry towel to absorb moisture.
When using the “Spin” mode, it is better to choose the lowest speed to prevent the formation of lumps and deformation of the product.
When placing a down jacket in a cool room, an unpleasant odor may appear, the filling may become damp, mold may appear, etc.
Down jacket drying process
Recommendations on how to dry a down jacket:
- After washing, shake the clothes to distribute the filler across the membranes.
- Wrap it in a terry towel to absorb excess water.
- Dry the product in an upright position on a hanger, turned inside out.
- Do not speed up drying with a hair dryer, thermal appliances, or battery.
- Do not leave your down jacket on the balcony or street in direct sunlight.
- Place items to dry in a ventilated, dark room at room temperature.
- To prevent fluff from rolling off, whisk the filler regularly.
How to eliminate problems that arise after washing
As a result of washing you may:
- stains will form on the fabric;
- lumps appear in the filler;
- the product becomes deformed;
- an unpleasant odor will appear after drying.
The fluff has gone astray
The filling in a down jacket gets lost when the processing mode is incorrectly selected, additional items are loaded into the washing machine, drying rules are not followed, etc. When the intensive spin speed is set and the water temperature is high, the down clumps. You will need to rinse and spin the product again with the addition of tennis balls or laundry balls.
Dry clothes should be easily patted with a stick or a mop handle. Minor deformations can be eliminated during processing. Dense lumps of filler are distributed manually.
Stains and stains appeared
After home washing, stains and stains may remain on outerwear. This often occurs on light-colored items. Stains from the powder or gel remain when the item is excessively soiled, poor rinsing, etc. It is necessary to repeat the wash without adding detergent. If necessary, perform several rinses to remove dirt and soap scum.
Unpleasant odor after drying
An unpleasant odor from down jackets occurs when they are not dried properly.
The filler deteriorates in the following cases:
- the product was laid out on a towel or blanket;
- the down jacket was hung in a room with high humidity;
- clothes were washed and dried incorrectly.
You can eliminate the unpleasant smell of mustiness and mold by repeated washing.
When to wash things by hand
Some products are prohibited from being placed in a washing machine (indicated on the label). Therefore, they are processed by dry cleaning or manually.
Washing steps:
- Prepare the product, remove the overhead parts.
- Treat stains with cleaning agent.
- Fasten the product.
- Pour cool water into a large basin or bathtub.
- Dissolve the powder or gel.
- Soak clothes for 30 minutes.
- Use a sponge to scrub away any heavy dirt.
- Wring out clothes and rinse in clean water.
- Dry the product on a hanger.
How to wash jackets with other fillings
Clothing filled with holofiber or impregnated linen should be washed rarely in cool water. Temperature changes during drying and cleaning are not allowed.
Jackets with Thinsulate can be washed in the washing machine several times without losing their thermal insulation characteristics and aesthetics.
Bleach is not suitable for products with synthetic fillers.It is optimal to use liquid detergents with gentle cleaning and fragrances. You can add conditioner when rinsing.
When choosing a cleaning method, it is important to consider the manufacturer's recommendations on the label.
