Down jacket is considered the most useful and necessary outerwear. It is he who retains heat for a long time and helps not to freeze in the cold season. However, this type of winter clothing is considered the most capricious, since it is very difficult to wash it: the fluff in it sometimes goes astray or breaks through the lines and looks out unattractively. In a word, one with him hassle. But if you know in what mode to wash down jackets, everything does not look so bad. We will talk about proper care for them in this article.
Is it allowed to machine wash the down jacket?
First, let's find out if it is possible to wash a down jacket or coat in a washing machine? The answer to this question is quite simple, if you initially pay attention to the product label. It usually depicts icons that clearly demonstrate the rules for caring for clothes. For example, if the image shows a container with a hand lowered into it, this means that this item is recommended to be washed only by hand.
If there is a circle on the label, inside of whichthere is a small square depicting a typewriter, which means that washing in the machine is prohibited. If the label shows a container with water and two underlines at the bottom, then such a thing needs delicate care.
It is very important to first study the label of a jacket or coat to find out on which mode it will be safe to wash a down jacket in a washing machine and whether it can be done at all.
Is washing better than cleaning?
Most down jacket manufacturers strongly recommend dry cleaning only. Please note that this type of work is carried out by dry cleaners. This may be the best option for outerwear, but it also has some disadvantages.
Firstly, such services, as a rule, not everyone can afford. Secondly, such organizations may not always be located close to home. And not all the fair sex likes to take their precious down jacket somewhere, and even by public transport.
And finally, thirdly, often after dry cleaning, particles of the chemical used by specialists accumulate in the down filler of the jacket. There have been cases when it was they who became the cause of allergic reactions, including in children. That is why almost all housewives try to get rid of dirt and dust on their outerwear at home. That's just on what mode you need to wash a down jacket in a typewriter, not all of them know.
Safety, or how to avoid trouble with a down jacket?
So wefound out that it is possible to wash down jackets in a typewriter, if this does not contradict the rules specified by the manufacturer of the product. But the risk of getting unpleasant consequences still exists. Therefore, before washing, a number of measures should be taken to preserve outerwear in its original form. What needs to be done for this?
First of all, the first step is to unfasten the hood. This is especially true for products with fur trim. Otherwise, there is a risk of spoiling the edge (it may shrink or curl into icicles and no longer straighten). Secondly, you need to put your hands in your pockets and check if there is anything there that could damage or stain the fabric of your clothes. Thirdly, in order to avoid hooks, puffs and even holes, it is necessary to fasten all pins, locks.
Next, check all decorative elements, including buttons. They shouldn't hang out. At the same time, if the jewelry does not sit firmly, you should try to fix them so that they cannot come off during the cleaning process. By the way, some housewives recommend turning the down jacket inside out before washing. This is a rough list of what needs to be done before deciding on which mode it is better to wash down jackets.
What products can I use when cleaning a down jacket?
For washing down outerwear, it is preferable to use specialized products that are designed for such products. As a rule, they have a gel or liquid base with excellent cleaning ability. These funds fromeasily penetrate the down lining and do not foam too much, which helps to avoid soapy streaks.
It is not advisable to use ordinary soap and detergent when washing. Both agents are poorly soluble in water and leave white marks, especially on dark things. By the way, for the same reason, you should not add conditioners and various softeners when washing. The exception, perhaps, is products with padding polyester, for which you can use the powder to clean.
Outerwear made of a special membrane fabric must be washed only by hand and using special equipment. But down jackets with spectacular genuine leather inserts are recommended to be dry-cleaned immediately.
So, we have decided on safety precautions and means for cleaning outerwear. So, now you can move on to the most basic process - removing dirt on a jacket or coat. But how to wash down jackets correctly and in what mode?
Which modes to choose for washing clothes?
If you decide to wash the down jacket, it is best to choose a delicate machine mode for this. And we must not forget to set the temperature - 30 ºС. According to experienced hostesses, this mode is the safest for products with a down lining or filler.
However, many machines already have special programs, for example, "Wash outerwear." You can also choose the "Synthetics" option, which allows you to wash jackets and other items at a temperature of 30 ºС. For the same purposesthe “Delicate fabrics” or “Hand wash” mode, which applies to things marked handwash (manual cleaning), is also suitable. In a word, in which mode to wash a down jacket in a typewriter, you can decide, taking into account the manufacturer's advice and the list of programs on the unit.
And, of course, you should not forget to prepare the product for washing, based on the above safety rules.
Some useful tips for washing down jackets
Assume that you have purchased the appropriate outerwear cleaner, done all the preparatory work in order to secure your coat or jacket, and decided on which mode to wash the down jacket. What's next?
For best results here are some helpful tips:
1) during washing, the down jacket should be in the drum alone (this will protect the fabric from damage and prevent other products from shedding on it);
2) when determining in which mode to wash down jackets, one should take into account the intensity of revolutions during spinning (it is recommended to set the minimum);
3) when washing, use special rubber balls with spikes or ordinary tennis balls (the fluff will not stray and form lumps).
What should not be done when washing a down jacket?
It is strictly forbidden to do the following:
- pre-soak;
- Wash in water above 40ºC;
- apply bleach;
- squeeze at speeds over 600 inminute.
How to dry a down jacket after washing?
If the machine has a drying function, you can safely use it. Moreover, it is worth performing this procedure using the aforementioned balls. They will help evenly distribute the fluff throughout the product. In the absence of this option, you can dry your outerwear on a regular clothesline or hanger. In the latter case, you need to put on a jacket or coat on the shoulders and carefully straighten all the folds on things.
Summary: we figured out at what temperature and in what mode it is absolutely safe to wash down jackets. And if everything is done correctly, the product will delight with its impeccable appearance for a very long time.
