Cold, snowy winters bring special demands on outerwear. Modern manufacturers offer a lot of options for synthetic fillers for jackets, coats and overalls. Down jackets remain consistently popular every time. They are natural, light, cozy. A well-chosen down jacket will allow you to feel warm and comfortable even in the coldest time of the year.
What is dry cleaning?
Dry cleaning (dry cleaning), professional dry cleaning is a chemical process for cleaning products made from textile materials using organic solvents. The main purpose of dry cleaning is to remove dirt and stains that cannot be removed with regular washing.
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Down jacket care
Any clothing needs cleaning, no matter how carefully and carefully it is worn. A down jacket in this regard is a thing that requires special attention. Loss of moisture resistance and the fluff falling into clumps must not be allowed. Water-repellent impregnation, with the help of which the fabric can remain “breathable”, requires a delicate attitude towards washing things.
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Secrets of washing thermal underwear here.
Improper use of aggressive chemicals can lead to very disastrous results:
- clogging of fabric micropores will lead to disruption of air permeability;
- violation of the impregnation structure will eliminate the water-repellent function;
- improper drying (due to the organic basis of the fluff) can lead to the formation of yellow streaks and stains.
There are two options to put your outerwear in order: dry-clean your down jacket, entrusting the process to professionals, or wash it yourself at home.
Dry cleaning a down jacket at home.
Washing in a washing machine is not suitable for every down jacket, mainly for off-season models where the down filling is at a minimum. For real winter models, the dry cleaning method is suitable.
1 method
- Determine the area of work where local contamination is located, usually the sleeves and collar.
- Hang your jacket on a hanger.
- Prepare a cleaning product, it can be regular liquid laundry detergent or a solution of laundry soap.
- Soak a cotton pad with the cleaning product you are using and apply to the dirty area, making sure that the down filling does not get wet.
- Wait a few minutes, then wipe the stained area with a clean cloth or a new cotton pad.
Method 2
Now the fashion for various chemical kits for dry cleaning of fabrics is coming to us from Western countries. They are also suitable for down jackets. For example, on sale you can find aerosols that are sprayed onto the area of contamination, then after 30 minutes, this area is cleaned with a regular brush. In words, everything is perfect, however, such aerosols are not cheap and they are not able to cope with strong and old pollution.
Video of cleaning a down jacket:
Washing a down jacket in a washing machine
I would like to say right away that down jackets cannot be washed often, since the water-repellent impregnation is gradually washed out, after which the clothes quickly begin to get wet and dirty.
A few important rules before washing:
- Carefully inspect your jacket; if there are even small tears on it, you should sew them up first.
- If there is fur trim, it must be removed before washing. In the case where the fur elements are not removable, contact a dry cleaner; machine washing is prohibited for you.
- Unfasten the hood and hanging accessories from the jacket. If you cannot remove the accessories, tie them with a rag that will not fade onto the fabric of the product.
- The most susceptible to contamination are the sleeves, the inside of the hem, and the collar. Before washing, it is best to clean them with detergent and rub them with a special brush. Laundry soap is well suited for these purposes.
- Avoid powder stain remover; it foams a lot and is difficult to wash out of the product.
- Use dishwashing detergent to remove grease and sweat marks.
- If there is foundation on your clothes, you can wash it off with rubbing alcohol.
- If the down jacket is heavily soiled, it should first be soaked in detergent for two hours before washing.
- Before washing in the washing machine, fully fasten all zippers and buttons, check the pockets, and turn the jacket inside out.
- It is recommended to use a special bag for washing the jacket to avoid deformation and tearing of the fabric.
- For washing, use liquid detergent or a special detergent for washing down jackets.
- The maximum washing temperature should not exceed 30-40 degrees, in delicate mode.
- To ensure that the fluff accumulates evenly at all stages of washing, throw 3-4 special laundry balls into the washing machine along with the product; if you cannot find them on sale, you can use tennis balls instead. Before doing this, make sure that the paint on them does not fade and will not leave streaks on clothes.
- Do not put other items in the wash together with the down jacket; the jacket should hang freely so that the filling is cleaned during the washing process.
The down jacket should be dried as quickly as possible; due to slow drying, the ties on which the down is attached begin to rot. This process can lead to the appearance of yellow spots, a musty smell, and matting of fluff.
There are cases when the manufacturer allows the use of machine drying, although this must be done at a temperature not exceeding 30 degrees for 2-3 hours with the balls in the drum.
The down jacket should be dried by hand only in a vertical position. To do this, turn the jacket right side out, hang it on a hanger with wide shoulders, and be sure to fasten all the fasteners. Drying should be done in a dry, well-ventilated place; a balcony would be an ideal option. However, you should avoid direct sunlight.
During the drying process, periodically shake the down jacket, holding it by the hem so that the down is distributed evenly and the drying lumps can gradually straighten out, spreading out from the corners.
It is important to know! Do not use heating devices during drying, this will negatively affect the down.
If after drying the down has not fluffed up to its original state, put the already dry down jacket back into the washing machine along with the tennis balls and turn on the spin mode at minimum speed. This operation can be performed several times until the appearance of the product returns to normal.
Video material on the topic:
HOW TO PROPERLY STORE A DOWN JACKET?
Despite the fact that down has good elasticity and quickly restores volume after compression, long-term storage under excess pressure is not recommended. At the same time, for a short time (for example, when traveling), the down jacket can be folded and rolled into the most compact size for transportation.
There are two types of storage: preservation for the summer and daily storage in the cold season. In both cases, it is better to keep the down jacket on a wide hanger in the closet. Only in case of preservation, pack the item on the trample in a portmanteau - a case for storing outerwear. Choose only the cotton version - it breathes well. Polyethylene ones are suitable for temporary storage (for example, when moving or if you are afraid that the item may get wet. Remove all items from your pockets - their weight can deform the item. It is better to close fasteners (buttons, Velcro and zippers) before storing. Protect the item from Lavender will help moths and can be used in the form of a spray, a perfume sample or a fragrant bag.
Wet cleaning
Before you start washing, you need to know the basic rules of how to clean a down jacket at home using this method. If you decide to wash your winter clothes in the machine, remember:
- The item should only be washed in delicate mode at a water temperature of no more than 30 degrees. Temperatures above this mark may damage the original condition of your jacket and may also shrink or fade. To understand the difference in the modes of your washing machine, read about what a delicate wash is.
- When choosing detergents, give preference to liquid powders. When purchasing a detergent, pay attention to the instructions for its use and read the list of products for which this product is intended.
- Do not use powders when washing. They are poorly washed out of the fabric and clog micropores, leaving the fabric without proper breathability.
- It is strictly forbidden to soak down and feather products.
- Check for foreign objects in the pockets of the down jacket. Fasten all the zippers and buttons, otherwise the item may become deformed. Turn it inside out.
- Unfasten the belt, hood and all other removable items.
- Inspect the product; the most contaminated areas, such as sleeves, collar and others, wash by hand using a regular soft brush and soap.
- Use special laundry balls to prevent fluff from falling off. You need to put them in the car along with your jacket. If you don't have such balls, you can use tennis balls. In general, it is advisable to buy special ones, because you will need them more than once not only for washing your down jacket. Which ones are better to choose - see our separate review “Washing Balls”.
- You need to rinse the down jacket in a delicate mode, and change the water several times to rinse out all the detergent. This will help get rid of soap streaks on your product.
- You need to wring out the jacket at the lowest speed.
- To dry an item, place it on a special rack. Periodically straighten the item - sleeves, collar, back. Whisk the fluff and shake the jacket. It is not recommended to dry a down jacket on hangers; there is a high probability that the down from the shoulders will go down your product.
Important! Drying a down jacket near any kind of heaters is strictly prohibited!
How does cleaning work?
Dry cleaners are equipped with special equipment for high-quality and delicate cleaning of outerwear without any negative consequences. One of the most modern technologies in dry cleaning is considered to be “aqua cleaning”. This method is a gentle wash using professional products. When cleaning, a special preparation is added that envelops the feather and allows it to be cleaned without disturbing the structure. It is the whole feather that helps the down jacket retain its heat-saving properties for a long time. Dry cleaning completely eliminates the possibility that the filler will clump together.
- Before cleaning, all accessories are removed from the down jacket: clasps, decorative buttons, labels, and non-removable elements are covered with special textile protections. This allows 3D labels or gold buttons to maintain color and integrity. After cleaning, everything comes back, and usually the client does not notice that anything has happened to the item.
- Basically, down jackets undergo “water cleaning”, but many also go to dry cleaning - safe for leather, fur, and natural fabrics. For some down jackets, only manual BIO cleaning is possible. The type of cleaning is selected in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations on the label. If it is not available, the factory technologist will determine the most suitable type of cleaning himself.
- The most contaminated areas of the down jacket (collar, cuffs, front) are treated with a special compound to ensure that the contaminants are removed.
- After cleaning and drying, each down jacket is blown with cold air under pressure for several minutes on a special steam dummy to remove residual moisture and the fabric of the down jacket is perfectly smoothed.
How to prepare down clothes for washing
Follow these recommendations:
- Before you start washing your down jacket, it is important to pay attention to some important details. To prevent the jacket's fasteners, zippers and Velcro from being damaged in the washing machine, it is better to fasten them immediately.
- You should unfasten all fur items, if possible, and turn the item of clothing inside out so as not to cause any mechanical damage to the front side.
- If the item is noticeably dirty, then before thoroughly washing the down jacket in the machine, it is better to soak its most soiled places (collar, pockets, sleeves, hem) in a soap solution.
- Before putting your jacket in the washing machine, make sure there are no other items in it: it is better to wash your down jacket without other clothes.
HOW OFTEN TO WASH A DOWN JACKET?
In the case of a down jacket, there is one unspoken rule: wash it only in extreme cases. If you “live” in a down jacket, then you will have to wash it once or twice a year. If the operating mode is gentle and not very active, one wash every two seasons is enough. And, if you only managed to get a couple of stains, then it is not advisable to wash the entire product - local cleaning is enough. Remember that over-washing can damage not only the down, but also the fabric itself, so always pay attention to the care label on your garment.
Professional dry cleaning of down jacket
This option will make the cleaning task much easier. The only thing you will need is to take the down jacket to the dry cleaner and pick it up at the end of the procedure. Modern equipment used to equip dry cleaners with a proven high reputation is capable of quickly and efficiently cleaning stains. Dry cleaners mainly use the following methods of dealing with contaminants:
- dry cleaning;
- aqua-cleaning
Dry cleaning involves cleaning stains without using water. The effect is achieved by exposing stains and dirt to chemicals.
Having passed the reception, things are marked and distributed for stain removal, where each of them is specifically processed. Only after this procedure does the down jacket go into the dry cleaning machine. The machine is externally similar to a regular household washing machine, the differences being its huge size and the use of chemical reagents instead of water.
Cleaning a fur collar
Fur collars in most cases are found on women's down jackets, less often on men's products. Over time, any collar becomes dirty, losing its presentation. To clean it, you must determine what it is made of. There are only two types of fur, natural and artificial.
Natural fur
Cleaning it is the most difficult; with wrong actions it is very easy to ruin the appearance forever. There are several gentle cleaning methods:
- Clean the fur with a cotton pad soaked in a vinegar solution.
- Prepare a solution of laundry soap and warm water, moisten a cloth or sponge with it, and wipe the fur so that it does not get completely wet.
- Over time, a natural fur collar begins to turn yellow; to get rid of yellowness, dissolve a large spoonful of salt and exactly the same spoonful of 10% ammonia in a glass of warm water. Mix thoroughly so that there are no lumps left. We wet a clean white cloth in the resulting solution, wring it out and manually clean the “yellow” stains.
Artificial fur
You can safely wash this fur by hand, using either hand or machine washing. However, difficulties may arise with a white faux fur collar. To clean it, it is recommended to use 100 ml. hydrogen peroxide and 100 gr. talc. Spray peroxide on the fur, then sprinkle everything with talcum powder and thoroughly clean it with a regular brush.
What to do if the item is damaged
If there is a hole in the product, the item has lost its previous appearance, is irretrievably deformed or faded, then, according to Article 35 of the Law “On the Protection of Consumer Rights”, the contractor is obliged to replace it with a similar one or reimburse double the cost, as well as the expenses incurred by the consumer. It is important to remember that the warranty period is five days. After this period, it will be much more difficult to prove anything.
One simple conclusion follows from all this: cleaning clothes with special products is much more profitable than buying new ones. This means there is no need to take risks.
Methods for removing stains without washing
Stains on a down jacket can be easily removed using both special chemical solutions and traditional methods.
Successfully cope with stain removal:
- ammonia;
- hydrogen peroxide;
- shampoo;
- dish liquid;
- lemon juice;
- wiper;
- petrol.
Before you start using any cleaning product, you should test it on a small area of the underside of the jacket.
Ammonia and dish liquid
Ammonia removes stains from grease or dirt well . To create an effective solution, you need to mix ammonia and dishwashing detergent in equal proportions.
It is enough to take 1 tsp. each ingredient, mix them and dilute them in half a glass of water. The mixture is whipped until foamy.
Then take a sponge, scoop up foam and apply it to the stains. After this, the product is washed off and the down jacket is dried.
Shampoo
Shampoo will help remove light stains:
- 1 tablespoon of the product is poured into a small container filled with 250 ml of water,
- beat until foamy,
- then, using a sponge, apply the product to the stains and perform rubbing movements,
- remove excess with a damp sponge or cloth.
Shampoo can rid the item of grease and dirt, but it will not save it from rust or grease.
To prevent streaks from remaining on the jacket, it is necessary to carefully remove any remaining product. After this, it is recommended to wipe the wet area with a clean, dry cloth.
Wiper
You can use a glass cleaner to clean the down jacket. It is advisable that it be in the form of an aerosol - this makes it easier to spray it on contaminated areas.
After application, wait about 5 minutes and then wipe with a clean cloth . If necessary, the action is repeated several times. The glass cleaner will help you deal with many stains without extra effort and does not leave streaks.
Petrol
Using gasoline, you can clean your jacket from grease stains or paint .
This is done as follows:
a cotton swab is soaked in gasoline;- treat contamination;
- apply the absorbent and make rubbing movements;
- the remaining substances are brushed off the surface;
- repeat the action several times.
After the procedure, it is advisable to dry the product in fresh air.
Hydrogen peroxide
Peroxide together with ammonia cleanses greasy areas well . To do this, you need to mix the ingredients in equal proportions.
Then the fabric is moistened in the solution and the shiny area is treated. After the stain disappears, wipe the area with a damp, clean cloth.
You can try using hydrogen peroxide to remove yellow stains from a white jacket. A piece of cotton wool is soaked in the preparation and problem areas are wiped.
Salt and lemon juice
Lemon juice and salt will help remove greasy areas on your jacket. To obtain the product, mix a tablespoon of salt and juice squeezed from a large lemon. Add a little water or vinegar to the resulting mixture.
The finished product is applied to greasy areas and left for 10 minutes . Then the residue is washed off with a damp cloth. In addition to the fact that the treated areas are cleaned, the fabric on them becomes softer and more pleasant to the touch.
How to clean a jacket without streaks?
Soak the brush in a solution of any detergent or powder and scrub the dirty areas of the down jacket. From the edges to the center! This is very important to prevent messy streaks
.
the entire jacket
!
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