Tips on how to wash a down jacket in a washing machine: choosing the right mode, means, drying method

Down jacket - comfortable winter clothing that warms you in the cold season.

Regular cleaning of a down jacket significantly extends its life.

However, not everyone knows how to care for the product, including how to wash a down jacket in a washing machine.

Some models cannot be home washed, while many manufacturers allow the possibility of washing at home. Let's look into the nuances of this topic.

Deciphering the icons on the label

Each manufacturer sets its own washing rules. On down jackets, you can find the following icons indicating what you can and cannot do with the product:

• horizontal line inside. Indicates drying on the planes.
• Three vertical lines. Hang to dry without wringing.
• Circle inside a square with a dot. Tumble drying should be carried out at low temperatures.
• The same icon with two dots inside. The tumble dryer temperature remains normal.
• Crossed out icon. Prohibition of hardware drying.

If the down jacket has an emblem in a basin and the symbol 40, then washing in a typewriter is acceptable. The picture of an iron crossed out with several lines adds a ban on ironing.

Professional care of a down jacket is displayed in the symbols F and P inside a small circle. A crossed out circle indicates a ban on professional dry cleaning.

Among the additional elements, one or more stripes can be distinguished, indicating the most delicate washing.

Things of this kind should be washed by hand with the addition of conditioners or rinses. In some cases, the water temperature is indicated by dots, so be careful.

Which down jackets are machine washable and which are dry clean only

When buying a down jacket, take a look at the recommendations for use, attached in the form of icons. Carefully study the label on the model, which displays the composition of the material and fillers.

It also contains requirements for the proper care of a down jacket. If you see a picture in the form of a container with a hand lowered there, this means that washing is only allowed in manual mode.

If you find a basin with the specified temperature, then washing in a machine is allowed.

Before cleaning, determine if a full wash is needed or if a light treatment can be done. The latter is needed if there are stains on the fabric, the collar or sleeves are dirty.

Timely cleaning keeps the filler in good condition, since manipulations concern only the surface.

Otherwise, you will deform the filler, which will lead to its uneven distribution over the fabric.

Preparing a down jacket for washing

Preparing a down jacket is a step no less important than washing itself.

Incorrect actions at the time of preparation can lead to trouble in the form of white spots on the fabric or deterioration in the quality of the filler.

This will happen regardless of the type of down (biological, tinsulate, down-feather, padding options). Ultimately, the down jacket will simply cease to fulfill its functions.

As already mentioned, carefully read the labels before washing. After that, clean the pockets and unfasten the hood (fur, if any).

Examine the down jacket. If there are grease stains on it, it is better to soak them with special products and remove them. If not, you can proceed to the next step.

Check the integrity of the product. It may be damaged (holes, deformations of the snake, filler, etc.).

Damage must be repaired immediately, otherwise, after washing, they will become larger. Fasten all fasteners, zippers, snaps and buttons.

We turn the product inside out and send it to the washing machine.

As you can see, the process of preparing a down jacket for washing is as simple as possible if you do it carefully and carefully.

How to wash a down jacket in a typewriter

At the moment, there are many different means for washing down jackets. Despite the opinion of the majority, you can use not only powder, but also other chemicals.

Laundry shampoos

Shampoo for washing down jackets is a type of gel. Now you can find shampoos for hand washing, perfectly interacting with the fabric of the product.

The disadvantage is the high price, since the shampoo is much more concentrated than regular powder.

Products for delicate fabrics

If the manufacturer recommends washing the down jacket by hand, it is better to purchase products for delicate cleaning.

They contain fewer aggressive substances. Sometimes natural ingredients are added to them, including fragrances, essential oils, herbal extracts, etc.

Washing sportswear

Many gels are intended not only for down jackets, but also for sportswear.

The fact is that the fabric structure of these categories of things differs markedly from everyday clothing. Thus, it is assumed that the effect on the fabric will be different.

Some manufacturers recommend washing a down jacket with sports products.

Bleachers

The down jacket is undesirable to wash with bleach. The substances in it are extremely aggressive and have a bad effect on the fabric and filler.

It actively dissolves the fatty layer present on the down, which contributes to thinning.

Capsules

In some cases, laundry capsules come in handy. The capsule is a small container filled with a gel.

Sometimes the composition includes not only a cleaning agent, but also conditioners, rinses, etc. Thus, the capsule contains everything.

If the tag indicates that the down jacket can be washed with the addition of an air conditioner, you can purchase the capsules. They have a concentrated liquid solution that prevents white spots.

The disadvantage is the cost - the capsules are quite expensive compared to other products in the same category.

On what program can you wash a down jacket

Mode for voluminous things

This option is ideal for volumetric models. It is incorporated in many modern models of washing machines.

Designed for things that absorb a lot of liquid. The duration of washing is at least an hour and not more than two hours.

The manufacturer of the LG washing machine calls this option “bulky things mode”. In general, the name of different companies is not too different.

In this mode, a large amount of water is consumed, so consider this before washing.

Handwash

This mode allows you to wash any things carefully and slowly. They undergo the least deformation, which is important in the case of a down jacket.

Hand wash is similar to the "delicates" option, but it's different. The temperature is between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius.

In this case, the washing machine consumes more water than in normal modes. This avoids excessive friction on the drum.

After washing, the down jacket will not be deformed.

Some manufacturers have included the option to set the hand wash mode (decrease / increase the number of revolutions, decrease / increase the temperature, etc.). Choose what is right for you in your case.

Hand washing is provided in every modern model of a washing machine.

Duvet

You can also try the “duvet” mode, which is distinguished by its care for things. The option is intended for washing things containing fluff or similar elements (synthetic winterizer, etc.).

The lowest possible temperature (30 degrees Celsius) keeps clothes in their original form. The minimum running time is 40 minutes.

In LG models, it is possible to configure the mode by connecting the “no wrinkles” or “intensive” function.

If you have a soak function, turn it on before the main wash. The process will take less time than if it was done manually.

Down jacket spin

Not all models of down jackets can be wrung out. If there are no contraindications for spinning on the specified label, it can be done.

Never select the half load option, even if the down jacket takes up less of the drum.

The more water, the better. Clothing absorbs a lot of liquid, and this should not be prevented.

Washing with plenty of water minimizes the potential risks of fabric tearing.

What to do if the filler is crumpled

If you find bumps inside the down jacket after washing, you can move the filler yourself.

To do this, lay the product on a horizontal surface, then carefully feel the fabric. Smooth out the fluff with slow movements.

Next, leave the down jacket to dry completely (horizontally or vertically). Remember to shake the clothes periodically to avoid new clumps.

An interesting enough way to avoid lumps is the way of tennis balls. During washing, it is enough to throw a few tennis balls into the machine and turn on the no-rinse mode.

The optimal number of balls is three.

It is advisable not to wring out a down jacket that is washed in this way. Just hang it upright.

What to do with stains from washing

If you find white stains, do not rush to panic. These are the remains of detergent, which can be easily removed.

Try filling a spray bottle with clean water, spritz it on the dirty spots, and wipe them off with a dry cloth. The method will perfectly cope with surface stains.

It is desirable to take a rag from soft materials: cotton, microfiber.

If the first method did not help, you can use dishwashing detergent. Dissolve a teaspoon of the product in a glass of water, wet a cloth with this solution and gently wipe the dirty place.

There are also special cleaning wipes. Their main advantage is that they do not leave any traces behind.

However, keep in mind that only specialized products are suitable - simple wet wipes will not only not remove dirt, but will also leave new stains.

In some cases, a second wash is also required if you are dealing with grease stains or old dirt. In any case, it is necessary to achieve complete purity of the product.

Drying down jacket

First of all, you should look at the labels. Depending on the manufacturer, choose vertical or horizontal drying.

Many people recommend choosing a vertical option, but it is not suitable for cases where the coat has been washed by hand. For machine washing, vertical drying should be preferred.

During drying, direct sunlight and drafts should be avoided. Try to keep the temperature below 25 degrees Celsius.

If the weather is frosty outside, you can shake the jacket from time to time in the cold and indoors. Thus, the product will acquire greater freshness.

Keep clothing away from heating device, sun and open flames.

Now you know more about the rules for caring for a down jacket. Try not to stretch the product, regularly clean it from dirt, and then the thing will serve you for a long time!

Useful video

This video has some more useful tips for washing a down jacket: