Sometimes, almost immediately after purchasing outerwear or during its use, light fluff appears in some areas of the material; this is fluff coming out of the down jacket, and many housewives are interested in what to do in such cases. Various methods should be considered to stop the spread of this phenomenon over the entire surface. When choosing, take into account the location of the down: on the lining or on the outside, along the seams. Thanks to this, it becomes possible to determine the cause of deterioration in the external qualities of the product.
Why does fluff come out of a down jacket inside and outside?
There are several factors that explain the gradual deterioration in the appearance of a wardrobe item. There is fine white fluff coming out of the down jacket. It stands out more on dark things.
Causes of white hairs:
- The fluff begins to come out inside the product. This means that a single lining was used when sewing. It is important to create an insurmountable barrier for small feathers. For this reason, the down jacket should have a double lining.
- Another reason for the appearance of fluff inside is the use of thin material when sewing the lining for the product. As you wear it, the down jacket becomes dirty and needs to be washed. If you do this often, the material will become thinner, increasing the distance between the fibers. As a result, white fibers appear on the inside of the down jacket.
- In the case when the fluff comes out from the outside and only at the seam joints, this may indicate a violation of the sewing technology of the product. In addition, in the production of down jackets, low-quality threads were used, which quickly become unusable: they stretch and become thinner. As a result, through the holes, which have increased in diameter, white fibers begin to emerge more and more often and in large quantities.
- The most common reason is improper care. On the label for the down jacket you can find information about the recommended washing modes for the product. In most cases, such wardrobe items need to be machine washed, but only if the delicate cycle is selected. Several balls are also placed in the drum. This measure will prevent the formation of lumps of fluff inside the product. If washing is performed under aggressive conditions: high temperatures and drum speeds, white fluff often appears immediately after such treatment.
What can I do to prevent this?
When wearing down products, it is very important to take proper care of them:
- wear a down jacket carefully;
- wash at a certain temperature;
- do not soak the product before washing;
- dry in a horizontal position;
- do not use chemical washing or steam treatment;
- In summer, store in a special cotton bag.
How to wash?
Most down jackets can be machine washed, but you need to be smart about the process. First, you need to choose the right washing mode: “delicate wash” or “down.” Other modes are not intended for washing down products. Secondly, instead of hard washing powder, you need to use a liquid laundry detergent that will not damage the fabric. Thirdly, use a gentle spin mode at low speeds. When washing by hand, it is not recommended to soak the down jacket for a long time . In addition, the seams and fabric may be damaged if you clean them with a hard brush.
How to dry?
You cannot dry a down jacket on a hanger or on a clothesline. Down and feather products should be dried in a horizontal position. Carefully lay the product on a large terry towel. Straighten out the sleeves and all folds. With such drying, the fluff will not crumple, but will be evenly distributed throughout the entire product. After the down jacket has dried, shake it well and only then put it on.
Can this be called marriage?
If fluff has passed through the fibers of the material even before use, we can say that the product is defective. This means that low-quality materials were used in production. Outwardly, such down jackets look attractive, but lint may appear even during the first try-on. You can purchase similar wardrobe items at open markets and markets.
Defects in the form of fluff appearing are not always immediately visible. Lint comes out at the initial stage of use of the product, often before the first wash. Other cases are only a consequence of improper care.
Methods that can damage the product
Some methods are considered unsafe and should not be used on outerwear.
If there is a lot of fluff, it is better to avoid the following methods:
- PVA glue. You can often hear recommendations for the use of such a remedy. Glue is used in cases where the filler climbs in and out. They wash it by adding a little substance to warm water. The method gives long-term results because it glues the filler elements together and prevents them from breaking through. However, it has a lot of disadvantages. After its use, the filler may partially lose its thermal insulation properties. The appearance of the jacket can also be affected.
- Water repellent for shoes. The use of a colorless product in the form of an aerosol is provided. This method is used if fluff is coming out of the down jacket from the outside. The product is sprayed evenly and the items are allowed to dry. It is not recommended to use this method often, since the down jacket risks changing its color.
Attention! Products not originally intended for fabrics often have undesirable effects on them. Their use can make clothes hard and sticky. It acquires an unpleasant, difficult-to-remove odor.
Any home methods for treating a down jacket from which fluff comes out must be used with extreme caution. Otherwise, you can hopelessly damage the product and make it unsuitable for subsequent wear. If the item is expensive, you shouldn’t take the risk - it’s better to correct the situation together with the studio workers.
Eliminating the defect by updating the lining
If the inside of the down jacket is all white due to the appearance of lint, you need to consider two possibilities:
- Sew on the second lining. This method is used frequently. To implement it, you don’t have to remove the existing lining, you just need to sew another, denser fabric on top. If necessary, an additional insert is made of warm material (fleece is used). Percale, teak, or others are used as lining fabric. The material must be of high density, thereby eliminating the possibility of fluff passing between the fibers.
- The lining is being replaced. The fabric is selected according to the same criteria as in the first case. However, the process is much more complicated - you need to tear off the existing lining. In this case, the entire down jacket is ripped open: the sleeves, back, and shelves are separated. The main difficulty is to evenly distribute the insulation under the lining at the last stages of work.
If you have sewing skills, you can perform all the manipulations to replace the lining yourself:
- the old material is stripped off and the filler is removed;
- separate all elements of the down jacket: sleeves, back, shelves;
- The lining is marked, for which you need to fix parts of the product to the material with pins;
- the fabric is cut according to the markings, leaving 1 cm for allowances;
- assemble the down jacket: stitch the sleeves and attach the lining to the cuffs;
- insulation is distributed throughout the product;
- stitches are made on the armhole section of each sleeve;
- the lining is sewn on, and along with it the back and sides of the down jacket;
- At the last stage, the bottom of the jacket is sewn.
Ways to Stop Punching Fuzz
To return the jacket to its normal appearance, you can use inexpensive improvised means. Help to stop the penetration of fluff:
| Means | Description |
| Hair fixation spray | The method helps to seal the loose gasket, due to which the insulation breaks through. The inner surface of the product is treated with varnish. This may also affect the seams. Next, the jacket is set aside until completely dry. The procedure is repeated several times during the week. The method is used when fluff comes out of the down jacket inside. It is not intended for permanent use, as it degrades the quality of the material. If varnish is used frequently, the fabric may become stained. |
| Antistatic | The approach gives the desired effect if there is a synthetic lining that attracts fibers to itself. If fluff comes out of the jacket, an antistatic agent is sprayed inside it before each exit to the street. |
| Sticky roller | The method is simple, but gives short-term results. To keep the jacket in good condition, the roller should be used daily. It is also worth carrying with you. |
Need to take into account! If the product has a poor-quality lining, it is better to contact the studio. An experienced craftsman will replace this part or strengthen it with another layer of fabric.
What should you pay attention to when choosing a down jacket?
If you are looking for a high-quality and natural down jacket, then it is best to pick it up in a sports store. They offer a large assortment of items with both faux fur and natural fur, with good insulation that will definitely not fit. Look at brands that produce ski equipment and clothing for tourism. But remember: down is a rather fancy material, despite all its advantages. Therefore, if you want to buy a practical jacket or, for example, a coat, then you should pay attention to synthetic insulation, such as holofiber.
Proper washing
Down clothing has many advantages, but there are also disadvantages. Washing, drying and repairing such items must be carried out according to strict rules. If fluff comes out of the down jacket after washing, it means that the procedures were performed incorrectly. To prevent this from happening in the future, you need to familiarize yourself with the rules and always adhere to them.
The most important rule is that jackets filled with down cannot be washed with regular powder. It may leave behind difficult-to-remove stains; moreover, such exposure deteriorates the quality of the insulation.
To properly wash a down jacket, you first need to purchase a liquid detergent for washing items with climate membranes. They can be found in sportswear stores. The price of such products is an order of magnitude higher than usual, but they last for several years.
If you want to save money, you can use regular shampoo designed for dry hair. One thing needs to be taken into account: this option is only suitable for hand washing. In this case, the product is hung on hangers over the bathtub and treated with a foam sponge with a special detergent. Finally, the foam is washed off with a shower stream.
When washing in a machine, a buttoned down jacket is placed in the drum along with three tennis balls - they fluff up the down and prevent it from matting. You will need two caps of detergent. Wash on delicate cycle and minimum spin.
How to choose the right down jacket
Before making any recommendations, it is worth noting the fact that no one is immune from purchasing a defective product. But still, the risk is minimal if you purchase a down jacket in a company store. It is best to give preference to brands that specialize in clothing for tourism and ski equipment.
If fluff comes out of a new down jacket, and the period established by law for return has not expired, and the sales receipt for the purchased product has not been lost, then the item can be returned or exchanged for another. If you buy clothes on the market, it is unlikely that you will be able to return them.
When choosing a high-quality down jacket, it is best to opt for large manufacturers specializing in the production of winter goods. They have extensive experience, advanced technologies and internal quality control - all these factors reduce the risks of purchasing low-quality clothing to a minimum.
It must be remembered that in addition to many advantages, down also has a drawback - this insulation is very capricious. Therefore, you can think about a worthy alternative, for example, high-quality synthetic insulation.
Prevention measures
To prevent the filling from coming out of the jacket, you should follow simple tips that will protect the product:
- Expose your clothes to washing or cleaning the outside as little as possible; to do this, wear your down jacket carefully.
- For long-term storage, store the product in a closet in bags specially designed for clothing. Do not fold or wrinkle the jacket, use a hanger.
- Read the care label for the item after purchasing it and follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
- Do not wash winter clothes at home, use the services of specialists.
Try to buy outerwear in stores that provide a quality guarantee on goods, this way you will avoid unnecessary financial and time costs for replacing a down jacket.
