Columbia winter jackets attract with their signature appearance and excellent performance characteristics.
They are sewn using a unique technology called Omni-Heat.
If a down jacket made using this technology is washed in the usual way in a washing machine, the down inside will form clumps, it will lose the properties of warm clothing, and unsightly stains will appear on the fabric.
But if you know the rules for caring for a down jacket, it can last for many years, remaining comfortable, warm and presentable.
Preparing the Columbia Omni-Heat Down Jacket for Washing
Proper washing begins with careful preparation. The first step is to find the label that contains recommendations for caring for the jacket. If there is an icon on the label that allows you to wash the product without any restrictions, you can start preparing.
It includes the following actions:
all locks, zippers, buttons are fastened;- if there are edges or any fastened parts made of natural fur, they should be unfastened;
- the most contaminated areas (usually the inside of the collar, cuffs and areas where the jacket comes into contact with the bag or backpack) are best pre-washed by hand using a delicate detergent;
- with washed and soaked stains, you need to leave the down jacket for a while, about an hour;
- Before machine washing, the jacket must be turned inside out.
If the product has natural fur inserts that cannot be removed, it cannot be washed either in a machine or by hand. Only dry cleaning or dry cleaning is allowed.
Purchase
The price for women's and men's winter jackets from Columbia is not the lowest, but you can save a lot if you purchase the product in the USA. This can be done on the official website or in such online stores as 6pm, Backcountry, Campsaver, YOOX. You can also view the products on Amazon.
Most American sites do not provide shipping to the Russian Federation, so the Qwintry service will help you buy a Columbia jacket for men or women. We provide a US shopping address to every registered user, making it hassle-free to order from US stores. And Banderolka will ensure reliable and careful delivery of goods to your home.
When purchasing in America, you get very significant savings - sometimes the difference in price for the same model in the Russian Federation and in the USA reaches several times. Of course, in the brand’s online store and in large online hypermarkets there are good discounts that simply cannot be found in Russia. Sales are especially good at the end of the season, so we recommend preparing your sleigh in the summer and buying a down jacket in the spring.
American shopping has another advantage - a wide range. One has only to look at the Columbia women's winter jackets - the catalog is replete with a variety of models, which are not always exported to other countries.
It's easy to order a Columbia winter jacket using Parcel Post!
Registration on the Qwintry website is the first step to enormous opportunities and a chance to buy goods from the USA easily and profitably. Discounts on shipping and insurance, closed sales, priority service and other bonuses with the Qwintry Plus program!
How to wash by hand correctly?
To preserve the original characteristics of the jacket longer, it is better to wash it by hand. But this, of course, is only relevant for people who wear things carefully, without leaving complex, difficult-to-remove stains on them.
It is very difficult to wash a down jacket simply in a bathtub or basin , since it becomes very heavy when wet. Therefore, it is recommended to wash by hanging the jacket on hangers secured with a rope above the bathtub.
The hangers should be wide and strong, otherwise the wet jacket will fall off them. Before washing, the down jacket is completely buttoned up to the very top of the neck.
The item must first be thoroughly wetted in the shower, and then all areas must be treated with a sponge and soapy water . The following can be used as a solution:
delicate washing gel;- laundry soap soaked in water;
- any shampoo;
- You can take a cleaning product for upholstered furniture.
Omni-Heat down jackets should never be cleaned with rough brushes. The use of aggressive abrasive laundry detergents is not allowed . By breaking these rules, you can easily ruin the item.
After the front side of the down jacket is washed, it needs to be removed and turned inside out. Washing lining fabric should be done with no less care and caution.
After finishing the treatment with soapy water, you need to rinse the jacket thoroughly with cool water from the shower on both sides. This process requires care and patience. If a little soap composition remains on the fabric, after the product dries, it will turn into whitish stains .
The washed jacket is not wrung out or twisted. It is simply left to drain on hangers for 3-4 hours, and then laid out on bath towels for further drying.
To make the jacket dry faster and avoid a musty smell, it is advisable to place it close to the battery . In addition, it must be periodically turned over and turned one way or the other.
In the washing machine
How to wash a Columbia Omni-Heat jacket in an automatic washing machine? Machine washing requires less effort and removes dirt more effectively.
You can wash the down jacket in the delicate wash mode, setting the minimum time.
Machine wash the Omni-Heat jacket only on a delicate cycle and using gentle gels.
When washing in a machine, the chemical detergent penetrates deeper into the structure of the fabric and has a more intense effect on the product. Therefore, the choice of washing gel in this case should be especially careful.
The ideal option is a special gel for machine washing of delicate items . Hand wash detergent will foam a lot and may not rinse completely. Only liquid products can be used.
When setting the washing mode, you must adhere to the following rules:
- temperature no more than 30 degrees;
- time is minimal;
- delicate wash mode.
Regular spinning will certainly lead to damage to the membrane fabric with a mirror surface. To prevent this, you need to spin the item at minimum speed.
You can simply wash it without spinning, and then dry it as in the case of hand washing.
It is better to wash a down jacket without any other items. When products made from different fabrics are processed simultaneously, various undesirable effects are possible. You should also add 2-3 tennis balls or laundry balls.
A jacket with a membrane can be soaked briefly before machine washing. But it’s better to simply treat the most contaminated areas with soapy water and leave for an hour without soaking.
You cannot squeeze the product by hand , you can only dry it in the machine at minimum speed or hang it out to dry naturally.
Winter jackets Columbia
The brand produces many legendary items, but Columbia women's and men's winter jackets have made the manufacturer famous throughout the world. This is a legendary quality that has been tested in extreme conditions - the Columbia down jacket was clothing for conquering the highest mountain peaks.
The most famous production technology is Omni-Heat, which was tested by the Canadian Olympic team. The line is positioned as the best solution of its kind. The presentation took place in the fall of 2010. The manufacturer has created a Columbia jacket with smart thermoregulation. The meaning of the technology is a well-thought-out system - the lining of the clothing has aluminum dots that reflect body heat and transfer it back. At the same time, the fabric has high hygroscopicity and removes excess moisture and heat. This approach allows you to maintain a comfortable body temperature regardless of the conditions, and heat retention will be 20% higher compared to any modern insulation.
First of all, the new Columbia men's jacket was designed for skiers - this outerwear is quite light, does not restrict movement, and, complete with thermal underwear, guarantees maneuverability, comfort and warmth. The Canadian Olympic team took gold at the winter competition wearing all new gear. Of course, this is a merit of hard training, but without comfortable clothes such results are difficult to achieve.
In addition to a special material with a Thermal Reflective matrix, the company presented modern environmentally friendly Thermal Insulated insulation and a special Thermal Electric shoe heating system.
Columbia jackets for women and men with Omni-Heat technology have many advantages:
- excellent heat retention performance;
- They allow air to pass through well, but are comfortable in strong winds;
- high water resistance;
- easy to care for and wash, easy removal of dirt;
- heat preservation in areas with maximum heat transfer;
- lightness and compactness;
- increased wear resistance, strengthening of key parts and areas.
Many years of scientific and practical research, careful quality control, advanced production technologies and an integrated approach guarantee exceptionally good results.
Each Columbia down jacket, women's or men's, is an excellent example of how modern synthetic materials and unique innovative technologies surpass in quality any natural raw materials and traditional approach. Even wool, fur and leather cannot compare with the polyester and nylon used in branded clothing.
Here are a few more technologies that are used when sewing brand products:
- Omni-Tech - a waterproof membrane that allows moisture to pass through from the inside, ensuring complete dryness inside and outside in rainy and humid weather;
- Omni-Heat Reflective - reflects body heat with metal dots on the lining;
- Turbo Down - a combination of the two previous technologies to produce the warmest jackets;
- Omni-Shield is a special composition that treats the surface of the fabric, ensuring the rolling off of any contaminants, liquids, as well as strengthening the seams and accelerating drying;
- Omni-Wind block - enhanced wind protection;
- Omni-Tech Ceramic Coating is a composition that provides increased wear resistance of the material, protection from rain and wind.
Drying and ironing
Dry Columbia jackets first on hangers or a special dryer until the moisture is completely drained. Then the product is placed vertically so that the wet fluff does not slide down.
It will dry completely only after two days . You cannot speed up the process by placing the jacket on a radiator or using any heating devices (some use hair dryers or steam irons).
The dried down jacket needs to be inspected. If the fluff has gathered into small lumps in some places, it must be gently kneaded with your hands.
If the outer fabric requires ironing, it can be treated with a steamer , but only when the entire product is completely dry and in compliance with all safety rules.
