How to remove a greasy stain from a down jacket - the most effective methods

Expert: Sofia Borisovna Fridman

Stains may unexpectedly appear on your down jacket: from blood, grease, ink, tea or fruit juice. And prolonged wear leads to the fact that pockets and sleeves become glossy and shiny. Warm winter clothes are not cheap, so they need to be saved, and various stains are not a reason to throw away your favorite down jacket. But not every method of getting rid of dirt from clothes is suitable - you need to take into account the material from which the product is made and the features of caring for the filling - natural or artificial down. Our experts learned how to remove various stains from a down jacket without leaving any traces or any consequences for its appearance.

Basic rules of care

Down jackets are not clothes that can be washed frequently. Many products are dry clean only (care instructions are always indicated on the label). From frequent washing, down will lose its warming qualities, and the top layer of fabric will lose its appearance and wear resistance. The down jacket will allow moisture to pass through and will no longer protect against frost and wind.

Therefore, small stains that appear should be washed off locally. And contaminants such as blood, tea, grease or ink cannot be removed by regular washing in an automatic machine without pre-treatment.

So, if a stain appears on your down jacket, you need to:

1. carefully study the label - if it is only allowed to be dry cleaned, then we take the jacket to professionals;
2. if you can wash it in a machine and use wet cleaning, then select a detergent to remove stains in accordance with their origin, material and color of the top of the product (taking into account the recommendations that will be given below);
3. Please note that it is not recommended to use chlorine bleaches to get rid of stains, but most oxygen stain removers for colored and white items can be used for down jackets;
4. stains should be scrubbed with a detergent mixture, moving from the edges to the center - this will help avoid streaks and make it easier to remove the remnants of the product used after treatment;
5. evaluate the appearance of the product after local removal of stains and drying - if there are stains or marks on the surface, then the down jacket should still be washed in an automatic machine on a delicate cycle at a temperature of 400C with liquid detergent.
6. Laundry soap can remove most stains. Therefore, our experts advise starting stain removal with it - just rub the stained area thoroughly with it and leave for 10-15 minutes. The disadvantage of washing with soap is that it requires a large amount of water to rinse off, so it is more suitable for pre-treatment before washing in the machine.

And one more piece of advice: don’t put off stain removal “on the back burner” - the fresher the stain, the easier it is to wash it off without leaving any traces or tedious washing.

Ammonia and hydrogen peroxide

This method is suitable for removing an oil stain from a light down jacket. White clothing is a trademark and should be worn with extreme caution. The cleaning algorithm is as follows:

1. Mix ammonia and hydrogen peroxide in equal proportions.
2. Apply the resulting mixture of alcohol and peroxide to the contaminated area.
3. Leave the clothes for 40 minutes.
4. Next, you need to clean the down jacket manually with soap or washing powder.

If the procedure does not give the desired result, it is repeated again. At the final stage, the down jacket must be washed in a machine. To remove the pungent smell of ammonia, it is better to add a good washing powder or rinse conditioner - it will give your clothes a fresh aroma.

How to remove grease stains

Grease stains often appear on a down jacket, but removing them is not difficult. Especially if they are fresh. You can choose from one of five methods. Each of them is safe for the material from which the down jacket is made and for down.

Dishwashing liquid (Fairy, Sorti)

Mode of application:

1. wet the area stained with grease with water;
2. drop a few drops of the product (depending on the size);
3. wait 5-10 minutes;
4. Use a clean cloth soaked in water to carefully remove foam and Fairy residue.

If necessary, machine wash.

Mustard

Mustard contains allylic oil, which breaks down fats well. It is suitable for removing stains from colored down jackets.

How to use:

1. add warm water to dry mustard powder to obtain a mass similar in consistency to thick sour cream;
2. apply the mixture to the stain;
3. leave for 30 minutes;
4. Wash off the mustard with a cloth soaked in warm water.

An easy-to-use, but quite effective way to remove fresh grease stains is to place mustard plaster soaked in warm water on the stained area for 20-30 minutes. Simply remove the remaining mustard, and the fat will also dissolve without a trace.

Soda or salt

You can sprinkle a small amount of salt or soda on a fresh greasy stain left on a down jacket. Or you can make a paste-like mass by mixing them with warm water and apply to the stain for 15 minutes. Rub the stain with a toothbrush, after which the remaining soda or salt (or a mixture of them) should be removed with a cotton napkin soaked in water.

Grated laundry soap

In order not to wash off the foam from laundry soap, you can use a simpler method: grate it (2 tsp) and apply it to the stain. The shavings will absorb the fat, all that remains is to brush them off the surface of the down jacket. This method is only suitable for fresh stains.

Talc or chalk

Talcum powder or crushed chalk sprinkled on a greasy stain on a down jacket also works well to remove grease. On old stains, you can apply a mixture of talc and chalk and let it sit for 2-3 hours. Wipe off any remaining residue with a napkin or clean wet cloth.

Preparing for cleaning

To remove grease stains from a down jacket, it is necessary to first prepare the item for cleaning. The first thing to do is to remove all particles of dust and fine dirt: it will interfere with subsequent procedures. To quickly remove dust, you can use a paper napkin slightly moistened with warm water. You should lay out the clothes on a flat surface and carefully go over the entire bolognese fabric, you can also do this on hangers.

The next step will be to prepare tools to help clean the greasy stain from the down jacket:

• cotton pads;
• cotton buds;
• clean rags;
• detergents;
• rubber gloves - for working with aggressive compounds;
• Toothbrush.

Preparatory measures may also include soaking the clothes in a certain solution, however, such a procedure will only be required for some methods of cleaning the jacket.

How to get rid of blood stains

Unfortunately, bloody stains can also appear on your down jacket and should also be removed while they are fresh.

The main rule for removing blood from any fabric is not to wash it with hot water. At temperatures above 400C, blood protein coagulates, leaving a yellow mark on the product after washing, which is not easy to get rid of later.

The most effective means for removing blood drops from clothes is hydrogen peroxide 3%. But it can only be used on light-colored materials; on colored and dark materials, a discolored mark may remain.

Mode of application:

1. apply a few drops of peroxide to the contaminated area;
2. wait 10-15 minutes;
3. rub with a toothbrush soaked in cold water.

Blood stains after mechanical treatment may still be visible. They are easily removed during subsequent washing in an automatic machine.

To restore cleanliness to colored jackets, you should use a paste of soda and water (2:1 ratio). The mixture is applied to the bloody mark for 10-15 minutes and, using a moistened toothbrush, removes dirt and soda residues.

Tip from our experts: A small spot of fresh blood can be easily removed with saliva. If after bleeding from the nose there are red drops left on the down jacket, you can simply spit on them and rub the saliva over the contaminated surface. The method, although not very hygienic, is effective.

What is prohibited when cleaning a down jacket?

When cleaning outerwear, it is prohibited:

• clean with strong or untested products that can damage the fabric;
• use solvent on light-colored items;
• remove grease with a stiff brush.

It is difficult to get rid of a greasy stain on things, especially if it has dried out. You can remove a fresh blot with simple products that are available in every home in one hour. For such purposes, you can use liquid soap, talc, starch, salt, etc. These methods are effective and will not harm the jacket.

If the fat is absorbed, then stronger substances should be used: ammonia, gasoline, mustard, hydrogen peroxide. Before using them, you should conduct a test on the inside of the product, as you can not only get rid of the stain, but also remove the paint.

The main rule when cleaning outerwear is speed. The sooner you begin the cleaning process, the more likely it is that the stain will completely disappear.

How to remove an ink stain

If an ink stain appears on your down jacket (a ballpoint pen has leaked in your pocket or a pen mark has accidentally left behind), then one of the following methods will help remove it.

1. Ethanol

   . Pour a few drops onto the ink mark and use a cotton swab or cotton pad to wipe off the stain.

2. Hair fixation spray.

   Spray a sufficient amount of varnish from the bottle onto the stain - it will dissolve before your eyes. Without waiting for it to dry, wipe off the mark with a napkin, and if necessary, apply the varnish again. After removing colored stains, the contaminated area should be thoroughly rinsed with clean water.

3. Stain remover

   . Vanish or any other oxygen bleach, if applied directly to an ink stain, will also remove it without leaving any traces.

4. Kefir.

   Can be used as an emergency cleanser. The fermented milk drink will not dissolve the ink, but will destroy its structure and will not allow it to be deeply absorbed into the fibers of the fabric before treatment with stronger agents. After exposure to lactic acid, the mark becomes lighter.

The fresher it is, the faster the ink stain will go away. Only dry cleaning can remove old marks from a ballpoint pen.

How to remove tea stain

Any acid found in the household can remove tea stains perfectly:

1. lemon;
2. vinegar;
3. dairy.
4. You need to moisten the tea trail with warm water and apply a small amount of lemon juice, table vinegar or kefir to it. After waiting 15-20 minutes, rub the stained area with a sponge or toothbrush and rinse with clean water.
5. To clean light down jackets, you can use 3% hydrogen peroxide, and a colored or dark down jacket can be cleaned of tea stains with warm glycerin and salt (mix in a 1:1 ratio).

How to remove lipstick or powder stains from your collar

When girls and women wear jackets and down jackets that are fastened at the neck, there are often traces of makeup on the collar. Pink or red spots immediately catch the eye when the zipper is unzipped and do not discolor its owner. It is not difficult to remove them, and this should be done regularly - 2-3 times a week.

Traces of powder are easily washed off when cleaning with a damp, soapy cloth (with toilet or laundry soap). But with lipstick you will have to work hard. You can apply one of the following products to the stained areas:

1. hydrogen peroxide 3% (suitable for white or light-colored jackets);
2. a mixture of soda and water (in a ratio of 2:1);
3. sodium tetraarborate (borax);
4. toothpaste;
5. laundry soap.

It takes time for the cleaning substances to take effect (about 15-20 minutes) and wipe off any remaining product and lipstick with a toothbrush and a clean napkin.

How to wash shiny areas

Cuffs, areas near pockets and collars of down jackets become greasy and unattractively shiny from prolonged wear. To fix this, you need to sprinkle talc, chalk or starch on the shiny areas for 10-15 minutes, rub them in a little and shake them off. The powders will draw out the fat, and the clothes will again acquire a decent appearance.

This method is not suitable for removing heavy stains. It is better to prepare a cleaning mixture. To do this you need to mix:

1. 1 tsp ammonia (ammonia);
2. 1 tsp dishwashing detergents;
3. 100 g warm water.

Whip up a thick foam and apply it to greasy areas with a sponge. After waiting 5-10 minutes, remove the remaining mixture with a clean napkin.

You can get rid of shine around pockets and on sleeves using window cleaner. Spray it from a spray bottle onto the contaminated area, then clean it with a damp cloth.

Household chemicals

Many stains can be removed from clothing using special household chemicals. Only chlorine-free bleaches and stain removers are suitable for cleaning down jackets:

1. Vanish Oxi Action - perfectly removes fresh stains of various origins, average price 130 rubles per 500 ml;
2. "Dr. Beckmann" - removes old stains, 200 rubles. for 50 ml;
3. Ecover Ecological Stain Remover – an ecological product based on enzymes and citric acid, 700 RUR. for 200 ml;
4. ACE Oxi Magic - helps get rid of fresh and old stains, 100 rub. for 500 ml.

All products are sold for both colored and white items, so you can choose a suitable stain remover to remove dirt from down jackets of any color.

Laundry soap

Soap has been used to remove all types of dirt since ancient times. This product works well for removing oil stains from a down jacket on its own. To perform the procedure, you will need a wide basin, warm water, soap and a brush. First you need to prepare a solution. Pour warm water into a bowl, rub in laundry soap or pour in high-quality washing powder. It is important to ensure that all powder crystals or soap dissolve; if this does not happen, they will settle on the jacket.

As soon as the product has dissolved, foam the water a little with your hands. Take a soft brush, moisten it in the solution and apply it to the dirt. This way you can remove the stain without washing so that there are no streaks. The brush gently rubs the composition into the fibers, simultaneously removing excess liquid.

How to eliminate white streaks after washing

Often, after washing, white stains remain on down jackets. Sometimes they can appear after snowfall or rain. The reason is insufficient rinsing. This situation occurs especially often after using washing powder. That's why outerwear manufacturers advise using liquid detergents for washing - they rinse out better and don't leave streaks. You can turn on the extra rinse mode.

1. If white marks do appear, you can get rid of them using a damp cloth or viscose napkin, rinsing it regularly under running water.
2. If the stains are very pronounced, you can first spray them with window cleaning liquid from a spray bottle and then wipe them off with a napkin.
3. The most effective method to get rid of white stains is to wash the down jacket in the washing machine again, but without powder or detergent.

The main places where down jackets are contaminated with fat and the reasons for their occurrence

Basically, the cuffs of the sleeves, the neck of the down jacket adjacent to the neck, the collar and pockets are contaminated with grease. There are primary reasons why outerwear gets dirty with grease:

• Food stains.
• Machine oil.
• After long wear, the sleeves begin to shine from constant contact with the hands.
• Dirty hand prints.
• Fat has melted out of the feathers of a low-quality down jacket.

Important! Before washing a down jacket, be sure to inspect the pockets: external and internal. If this simple procedure is carried out on time, then after washing there will be no unpleasant surprises in the form of another dirty spot.