Many have come across a situation where after washing in a down jacket, the down gets lost. Do not be upset, at home he can get back in shape. Find out how! Down jackets with natural down filling are always in fashion, so they are in high demand. This is the perfect thing for wind and cold weather in a frosty winter. Jackets are versatile and practical for everyday wear and outdoor activities. But over time, the down jacket, like other things, needs to be cleaned, and after washing, most often the fluff gets lost in lumps and it is not an easy task to straighten it. However, in reality, it is not so difficult to care for such products. If you know the correct and effective methods, then the product can be returned to its original condition.
Preparing to wash a down jacket
The easiest method is to machine wash your down jacket. But, so that the fluff does not get lost and does not become bumpy, you need to follow a number of rules.
- An important condition - the correct detergent. The main reason for the sticking and dumping of down is the use of conventional powders. It is better to use an appropriate liquid detergent, the packaging of which is indicated for washing "outerwear" or "down jackets". They rinse well without leaving streaks. Do not wash items with bleach, stain remover or fabric softener.
- Prepare your down jacket - unfasten the edge and collar from it, fasten the locks and buttons, seal the fragile fittings with tape. To better protect the material and accessories from damage, pack the down jacket in a special bag for washing.
Washing a down jacket in a washing machine
- Outerwear should be washed on a gentle or delicate cycle. Place 3 tennis balls in the drum to keep the down from straightening out after washing. During washing, they will whip up the fluff and knead the lumps, from which the filler will not go astray. Use soft textile shoes for children instead of balls.
- When washing light-colored items, set the water temperature to no more than 40 ° C, colored and dark items - 30 ° C. Down jackets cannot be washed in hot water, this will lead to the dumping of the insulation into lumps. The total washing time should be no more than 100 minutes.
- When using a large amount of powder or when it is heavily soiled, the product must be rinsed thoroughly, twice or three times. If detergent remains, the fluff will stick together during drying, and streaks will appear on the material on the front side.
- Wring out the jacket gently at no more than 800 rpm, otherwise the filler will roll into lumps.
Features of drying a down jacket
So that the down jacket does not stick together and does not lose its heat-shielding properties, you need to take a responsible approach to the drying process. Leave the product over the bathtub to drain all the water if it is still dripping. Shake the jacket and lay flat on the dryer. Place it near the radiator and shake and turn it every 2-4 hours. Change its position as the moisture will drain and the top will dry faster. Provide good ventilation in the room: slightly open doors or vents. In a draft and wind, the insulation will dry out evenly. The drying process will take about 2 days. If the down is damp for longer than this time, it will ruin the condition and quality of the jacket.
Do not hang the down jacket on the pipes and the heater, otherwise the upper material will be deformed. Also, do not dry the product in direct sunlight. It's a big mistake to leave a down jacket in the bathroom. High humidity, poor ventilation, low air volume, the inability to place the product horizontally - will lead to the fact that the fluff is knocked off.
Down in a down jacket got lost after washing - what to do?
Despite the observance of all the rules for washing and drying the down jacket, after the product has completely dried, small lumps may still form. To do this, fasten the thing and hang it on a hanger. Whisk the filler using a carpet beater, mop handle, or regular smooth stick. Hit the product as you kick out dust, striking in different directions. Insulation often falls off at the bottom hem, at the pocket and at the cuff. Done right, the jacket will be fluffier, lighter and warmer.
Down in a down jacket - unusual ways to break it down
Use a vacuum cleaner to save the down jacket. To do this, place the dried product in a plastic bag and tie it on a knot. Make a hole and insert the tube of the vacuum cleaner into it. Pump out all the air, turn on reverse mode and blow air back into the bag. Repeat the action several times.
Streaks after washing a down jacket
After washing, often white or red spots and stains appear on the outer material of the down jacket. They are especially noticeable on light-colored items. The reason for their appearance is improper washing. To fix this, re-rinse the jacket without any bleach and dry the jacket according to the guidelines outlined above.
The most common mistakes when washing a down jacket
There are several actions that lead to lumps.
- The water temperature is above 30-40 degrees.
- Pre-soaking.
- Using bleach.
- Drying of the down jacket for more than 48 hours.
- Drying clothes on a towel. It prevents air circulation.
- Drying the product on a hanger. In this case, the filler rolls down.
- Drying the jacket in a compressed, not straightened form.
Having learned how to properly wash a down jacket, you will no longer have problems with its operation and drying. But if you are still afraid to take care of the thing yourself, fearing that the jacket will lose its shape or the filler will break, then contact a professional dry cleaner.
More about the rules for washing down jackets in the following video:
