Winter outerwear filled with feathers or down is the best option for the cold season, providing excellent protection from wind, snow and frost. Today, down jackets are widely popular and in demand due to their comfort, functionality and stylish appearance. During wear, the product may become dirty and lose its attractiveness, so it is important to provide it with proper care.
There are several cleaning options: dry cleaning, washing the down jacket in a washing machine or by hand. Most housewives choose the last two methods, which allow them to save money, clean the product efficiently and maintain its original appearance.
Is it possible to wash a down jacket at home?
To get rid of dirt on winter outerwear, it is not necessary to turn to dry cleaning services. If you know how to wash down jackets and down jackets correctly, you can successfully clean warm clothes at home. This will not affect their functionality or attractiveness in any way.
Before you start washing at home, carefully study the information that the manufacturer has placed on the label of your product. Usually it indicates the optimal way to care for a down jacket, which is not recommended to be neglected so as not to lose the aesthetic and warming qualities of your outerwear.
Washing is strictly contraindicated for some products, as indicated by the corresponding icon on the tag. In this case, you will have to use dry chemical cleaning. The manufacturer also necessarily indicates whether it needs to be washed by hand or you can use an automatic washing machine; what modes to choose; at what temperature; Is it possible to iron the product afterwards?
Icons on a down jacket for washing: explanation
The manufacturer is required to place washing signs on the tag - on the down jacket they can comply with the domestic GOST ISO 3758-2014, in force since January 2016, or international standards. Most of the symbols are the same, so the instructions for washing down jackets will not cause any difficulties.
- A basin with numbers means machine washable at the indicated water temperature. Hand and basin - hand wash, temperature up to 40 degrees. One horizontal line under the symbol is a soft treatment, two are very delicate.
- Bleaching is prohibited - a triangle crossed out with two diagonal lines. Allowed by any reagent - just a triangle. The slanting lines inside it are bleaching without chlorine.
- Drying can be done manually, horizontally, vertically, or in a machine drum. The symbols are respectively a square with one horizontal, two vertical lines or a circle inside a square.
- Iron with 1, 2 or 3 points - allows ironing at temperatures up to 110, 150 or 200 degrees, respectively.
- Only professional dry cleaning of down jackets - the letters F or P inside the circle.
Feedback on dry cleaning of a down jacket
For additional symbols that clarify basic information, read our article Icons on a down jacket for washing: decoding.
Partial cleaning of the down jacket
In some cases, a bulky down jacket with a lot of filling can be difficult to wash at home, especially if it must be done by hand. But that doesn't mean you need to spend money on dry cleaning. After all, knowing some secrets, you can perform partial cleaning, which allows you to get rid of stains and refresh particularly dirty areas.
Depending on the degree of contamination, this pre-treatment may be enough to restore your product to its aesthetically pleasing appearance. If it is very dirty, such a procedure will be a good preparation for further washing.
How to get rid of stains
The most problematic places that get dirty most often are the sleeves, hem and collar. Before washing, it is recommended to inspect them for heavy contamination and treat any stains found. To do this, you can use laundry soap: moisten the desired area with water, soap it and rub gently.
There are several more ways to remove stains, which we will be happy to share with you.
Hydrogen peroxide
If you own a light-colored product, a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia will help remove even old stubborn stains on it. They need to be combined in equal parts and wipe the stain with the resulting mixture. After forty minutes, the item must be washed to eliminate the ammonia smell. This can be done manually or using a machine. When working with ammonia, ensure good ventilation.
Pure hydrogen peroxide will help get rid of blood stains that accidentally get on the fabric of your jacket. You just need to soak a cotton pad in it and wipe the stained area. Then wait 10-15 minutes and rinse off the residue under running water.
When using ammonia to remove stains, it is advisable to wear gloves and a respirator.
Vinegar
Regular 9% table vinegar will help save your down jacket from various kinds of stains. To combat greasy stains, soak a cotton pad in it and wipe the stain several times before the main wash. You can also get rid of rust by wiping it with vinegar, waiting a few minutes, then removing the residue with a damp cloth.
To get rid of dirt stains, you need to prepare a solution of 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 500 ml of water. Moisten a cloth with the resulting liquid and wipe the dirty area with it. If the contamination is severe, the solution can be left for 15-20 minutes, then remove the residue with a damp sponge.
Dishwashing liquid
Another universal remedy for greasy stains that is found in every kitchen is dishwashing detergent. A teaspoon of this liquid should be dissolved in a glass of water, foamed well and the resulting solution applied with a sponge to the problem area. You should wait about 5 minutes, then remove the remaining detergent with a damp cloth.
Soap solution
If you are wondering how to properly wash a down jacket by hand, try doing it with a soap solution. It removes greasy stains perfectly. They can be used for pre-cleaning before the main wash.
To prepare such a solution, you should take liquid or laundry soap, grated, dilute it with warm water and treat the stain well from the edges to the middle with the resulting mixture. Afterwards, rinse the cleaned area with clean water.
How to get rid of unpleasant odor
If your down jacket has an unpleasant odor, most likely the drying rules were violated. Therefore, it is important not only to know how to wash a winter jacket, but also how to dry it properly.
To correct the situation, you will have to re-wash the product and dry it in accordance with the basic rules. Remember that after washing you must turn it out, beat and fluff the filling. During the drying process, fresh air should circulate around the down jacket.
Preparing for hand washing
If the labels allow hand washing (or they don't, but you're willing to take the risk), then your down jacket needs to be prepared. Before washing a down jacket by hand, you must:
- Unfasten the fur parts - the collar, sometimes the fur on the sleeves. As a rule, such parts are attached with a zipper or buttons. It is also better to remove the hood, decorative elements (brooch) and belt.
- Empty all pockets, including internal ones.
- If the jacket is only dirty on the outside, you can zip it up before washing it by hand for convenience. If the inside also needs cleaning, the down jacket can be washed unbuttoned.
- The dirtiest areas should be soaked in advance with the selected detergent composition. This is convenient to do manually using a small soft brush or dishwashing sponge. Typically, such processing requires a collar, the outer part of pockets, cuffs, and sometimes side seams. Leave the item soaped in this way for 15-30 minutes so that the detergent has time to take effect.
- If the product is heavily soiled, it makes sense to soak it entirely for a while.
After completing these steps, you can begin washing by hand.
Machine washing method
If you want to wash your down outerwear yourself in an automatic machine, you need to follow certain rules so that the down jacket does not get confused and lose its attractiveness and functionality. By following the recommendations, you can easily wash your down jacket at home and maintain its original appearance.
Preparing the down jacket for washing
Many people want to know how to wash down jackets so that there are no streaks, the filling does not get lost, and winter items look like new. To do this, it is important to follow simple instructions that will help you clean your favorite winter clothes at home without any problems.
Anyone interested in how to properly wash a down jacket at home should first of all carefully read the information on the label, where the manufacturer indicates the preferred cleaning method, mode, temperature and other parameters.
After this, carefully inspect the pockets and remove all small items from them. Make sure that there are no holes in the down jacket and that all seams are strong and secure. If you find damage, it must be stitched up. If your down jacket has real fur trim, remove it. Treat stubborn stains if present.
If the product contains metal decorative elements, it is better to wrap them with tape or plastic wrap before washing. This is necessary to protect it from moisture, so that when it comes into contact with water and the detergent used, a reaction does not occur and marks do not remain on the fabric.
At the last stage of preparation, you need to fasten all the buttons, snaps, zippers, Velcro and turn the jacket inside out.
Selecting a detergent
In order to avoid streaks, it is better to choose a detergent with a liquid consistency. It is not recommended to use regular powder for this. Today, special formulations are produced that are suitable for washing down jackets, have a gentle formula and do not damage either the material or the filling. They wash well and are suitable for washing no matter which method you choose: hand or machine.
If you don’t have such a detergent on hand, you can use liquid soap or shampoo. It is better to avoid various rinses or conditioners; they can lead to the appearance of unwanted stains and gluing of fluff particles in the filler.
Tennis balls
When washing a down jacket at home, there is one secret that helps to guarantee the beautiful appearance and functionality of the product. Add three tennis balls to the drum to prevent lint from forming.
The idea is that when spinning, the balls will constantly bounce, preventing the clothes from creasing under their own weight. With their help, the product will be cleaned much better and will not get confused. It is worth noting that this method is safe for your machine; the balls will not damage the mechanism in any way.
Selecting mode and temperature
If the label does not contain recommendations regarding the washing mode and temperature, and you are wondering whether a down jacket can be washed in one mode or another, remember that this type of clothing should be washed on a delicate program. The answer to the question of how many degrees to do this at will be: no higher than 30-40 °C.
Wash and spin time
Washing time usually depends on the selected mode. It is recommended to set the extra rinse program to completely remove any detergent residue.
As for spinning, it should occur at low speeds, maximum 400 or 600 per minute. At higher speeds, synthetic fluff and other fillers may become confused and begin to come out of the seams.
Prepare properly!
Before washing, be sure to do certain manipulations.
- Unfasten all removable clothing parts: hood, jewelry, etc. Be sure to remove the fur!
Advice! If the product has decorative elements that cannot be removed, but may leave stains and marks during the washing process, then these decorations should be wrapped in waterproof material (cling film, tape).
- Fasten all zippers, snaps and buttons.
- Inspect the down jacket for stains (typical places: collar, pockets and sleeve cuffs). If there are any, then you should wash them with a soft brush and ordinary laundry soap.
To remove stains on a down jacket, do not use powder, as it is less easily washed out of clothing and may leave white or yellow marks.
How to wash a down jacket by hand
Some products are contraindicated for machine washing, so it is important to know how to wash down jackets by hand so as not to damage the filling. Fill the bath with warm water, the temperature of which is no higher than 30 degrees, and carefully dissolve a delicate detergent in it. You should then soak the clothes for no more than 15 minutes, then wash them carefully using a sponge or soft brush. Here's how to wash a down jacket by hand. It is not recommended to rub it as with normal hand washing.
Finish washing the down jacket by hand by rinsing in clean water. You need to do this several times to finally get rid of any remaining detergent. Do not wring out the down jacket too much to avoid deforming it. Now you know how to wash a jacket by hand, and you can put this method into practice.
How to prevent lumps
During washing and drying, clumps of stray filler must be sorted out and distributed evenly with your hands. After drying, get rid of them with a vacuum cleaner. To do this, remove the brush, put on the lint-free nozzle, pressing the tube tightly, and vacuum the inside of the down jacket. If the method does not work, put the jacket in the washing machine along with several tennis balls or balls from a special washing set, and turn on the spin mode.
It is very easy to wash a down jacket yourself with a special detergent. The main thing is to dry it thoroughly and properly. Thanks to timely care, clothes will last longer, maintaining their original appearance.
The article has been verified by the editors
What to do to avoid divorces
Anyone who cleans outerwear at home is interested in how to wash down jackets without streaks. The cause of this problem may be an excessive amount of detergent or an incorrectly selected product. Unwanted stains appear if you use ordinary washing powder instead of liquid detergent.
To prevent such a nuisance from happening, you need to properly wash and dry your down jacket. If you turn on the rinse mode several times, the streaks will disappear and the item will return to its previous appearance.
To avoid streaking, do not use laundry detergent, softener or softener.
Choosing a remedy
Most manufacturers do not recommend washing down jackets using conventional washing powders. The fact is that they create a lot of foam, which eats into synthetic material and is difficult to wash out. Even rinsing in the washing machine does not always remove powder residue. As a result, unsightly stains remain on the fabric, which can only be removed by repeated cleaning.
Of course, the best choice would be a special detergent for washing down jackets. But there are also more budget-friendly alternatives. These include powders for automatic machines and liquid concentrates. Please note that you need to reduce the amount of product by 1/3.
Have you noticed significant dirt on your clothes and are thinking about using a stain remover? Since any chemical stain removers are prohibited, use simple laundry soap. Lightly lather it in warm water and apply generously to the desired areas.
As for bleach, its use is also not recommended. For a whitening effect, you can increase the soaking time or repeat the wash several times.
How to dry the product
You should dry your down jacket at home in a vertical position. Turn the product right side out and hang it on suitable hangers. It is best to place it in a place with good air circulation, while ensuring that there is no direct sunlight.
If you know how to properly wash and dry a down jacket, it will last a long time without losing its aesthetic appeal and warming functions. A washed down jacket should not be placed near radiators or other heating devices. High temperatures destroy the structure of down and lead to loss of heat-preserving properties.
To ensure against the formation of lumps in the filler, periodically shake the product and knead it by hand until completely dry.
How to dry properly to prevent streaks
Proper drying of a down jacket after washing is of great importance. The following recommendations will help prevent stains.
- It is prohibited to twist the down jacket. This damages the filler membranes and deforms the product.
- Wring out the clothes with soft, squeezing movements and leave to drain the water.
- Dry only in an upright position, spreading the item on a hanger.
- You can use a special clothes dryer where air circulates freely.
- The down jacket should dry naturally. It is better to hang the item outside or in a ventilated area.
- Attempts to artificially speed up drying using heating devices result in white streaks.
- After drying on the battery, the fluff splits and begins to appear on the front side.
- During the drying process, the down jacket must be shaken and fluffed in different directions as often as possible. This way, the filler will dry out evenly and spread out. You can use a carpet beater.
- When using a dryer, you need to select a mode for synthetic fabrics with heating up to 30°. The down jacket will be completely dry in 3 hours.
What to do if the fluff gets lost after washing
To prevent the down from becoming crumpled, it must be periodically straightened out during drying: how to straighten the filling in a jacket after washing if it does get tangled is a primary question. There are two known ways to correct the situation. You can use a regular beater to beat the filling.
The second method is to use a vacuum cleaner. You need to remove the brush (you can install a narrow nozzle), turn on the vacuum cleaner and sweep it along the down jacket from the inside from bottom to top. This way the fluff will be evenly distributed inside and the jacket will take its previous shape.
Some people think: no matter how you wash it, it will get lost, but to prevent the fluff from getting tangled, use the recommendations given in this article and feel comfortable in your favorite clothes for more than one season.
Features of drying clothes with down filling
You liked your down jacket when you bought it, of course, because it is so soft and voluminous, but at the same time light and comfortable. To ensure that it remains the same after washing, it is important to dry it properly. Many people recommend drying such items only in a horizontal position - for example, by placing them on clothes dryer bars or on a table.
But this is not at all necessary; you can dry such products vertically, spreading them out on strong hangers. The most important thing in this process:
- the room in which the down jacket is dried must be well ventilated;
- there should be no open fire or any heating devices nearby;
- clothing should not be exposed to direct sunlight;
- From time to time, the down jacket needs to be fluffed, shaken and turned over so that the filler does not gather in a lump, does not slide down and dries evenly.
Down filling requires attention until drying is complete. You will have to constantly monitor this process and give the down jacket the desired shape. But all the efforts and troubles are worth the wonderful result that you will get in the end: a jacket or coat with down filling will be clean, tidy, without stains and grease in the most visible places. And at the same time, the product will retain its color, shape, lightness and volume.
As for ironing, items filled with natural down cannot be processed in this way. That is why you need to try not to wrinkle or rub the material too much when washing, and when drying, always smooth it out and straighten it with your palms.
In what cases is it better to dry clean a down jacket?
If you do not have the opportunity to wash your jacket at home, it is better to take it to the dry cleaner. You will also have to entrust the cleaning function to professionals, provided that the product label contains appropriate recommendations. Using dry cleaning services will be more expensive than removing dirt at home, but you won’t have to deal with streaks and stains yourself, and will receive a clean down jacket, ready for use.
Today, a down jacket is one of the most popular and sought-after types of outerwear, which reliably protects the owner from bad weather. With proper care, this comfortable item will last a long time and look stylish and beautiful.
Which formulations to choose
To clean down jackets, chemical solutions and folk remedies are used. The first category includes:
- washing gels intended for processing delicate fabrics, down and wool products;
- gentle stain removers (Heitmann, Vanish, Dr. Beckmann);
- liquid soap, shampoo, solutions based on soap shavings.
It is strictly forbidden to use powdered stain removers, bleaches, conditioners and products containing chlorine. The latter can cause irreparable harm to both down filling and synthetics. It is not recommended to use acetone, solvents and citric acid.
Folk remedies should be chosen taking into account the nature and cause of pollution. For example, shiny areas can be restored with a solution made from water and table vinegar. To wash greasy stains, use salt and dishwashing gel. Contaminants whose source is unknown are removed with hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. If there is no positive effect, you need to contact a dry cleaner.
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To eliminate unpleasant odors, the down jacket should be cleaned using compounds designed to remove microbial contaminants. The same effect can be achieved using a vinegar solution. To enhance the effect, winter clothes should be hung outside.
Washing a down jacket with steam
Steam generator, steam cleaner - different names for the same device. It generates steam by heating clean water with a heating element, and removes it outside through a nozzle with a nozzle. Steam under pressure has a temperature of up to 135 degrees. Washing a down jacket at home with steam removes all types of dirt. It is important that the outer fabric and down jacket filling can withstand high temperatures.
Cleaning a down jacket with a steamer
A steamer can generally freshen a jacket, but steam will not remove greasy stains. It is used for delicate general cleaning and disinfection. The steam jet nozzle should not be held close to clothing. Cleaning a down jacket with a steamer is a good alternative to washing.
