Contents
Inside the down jacket is the down of waterfowl. Thanks to the natural “filling”, this winter clothing is light and warm. In order not to harm its appearance, only a special powder for down jackets should be used during washing. We will find out what the manufacturer offers for this purpose and how industrial tools can be replaced.
All about washing down jackets
Down jackets are a special type of outerwear in which swan, duck or eiderdown serves as a filler. These super-warm things can be seriously spoiled if they are washed incorrectly. In the manufacture of downy things, manufacturers use membrane-type fabrics. Their function is effective perspiration and moisture repellency. For cleaning membranes and down, it is recommended to use special liquid concentrates for these materials. Or at least gel for delicate fabrics.
Can the down jacket be washed with powder?
In the washing machine, you can wash the largest and most voluminous things, including outerwear. Most conventional synthetic detergents (SMC) are not suitable for washing down jackets. It’s all about the features of the bird’s “down-feather”.
If you add ordinary SMS to the washer – even the most expensive and high-quality one, a “local scale disaster” will occur – due to the action of aggressive components, the natural fat layer covering the surface of bird feathers will be destroyed. After that, the feathers simply stick together, fall off and forever lose their former lightness and fluffiness. Even drying will not improve the situation – the feathers will not be able to straighten out, they will remain knocked into lumps. The filler will be unevenly distributed, cold air will pass through the gaps, the thing will lose its shape and its “operational properties” – it will no longer be as warm as before.
Can it be washed with shampoo?
Some housewives use regular hair shampoo to wash products with feather filler. This is ostensibly a benign option. In fact, the product is no better than ordinary SMS, the shampoo actively destroys the fat layer, does not fight dirt and stains at all, and most importantly, due to the abundance of foam, it is no longer possible to completely rinse the shampoo. When the product dries, stains appear on its surface.
How to choose a good detergent?
Tips for choosing SMS for jackets and coats with bird down:
- The composition should not contain bleach.
- It is better to use versions for colored things.
- The best option is liquid analogues for delicate fabrics. They are much more effective and safer than powdered ones.
- If for some reason it is not possible to use the gel, you need to buy proven powders – Persil, Test, Ariel. These are well-established brands with a wide range of action. Choose products designed for delicate fabrics.
- You can use SMS for baby clothes. They are more gentle on things, and the risks of washing down products are minimized.
- You should not take complex versions – two or three in one. Such SMS simultaneously serve as balms, conditioners, rinses. Their impact can adversely affect the state of things.
What not to do when washing down products:
- Soak for a long time.
- Wash dirty places with laundry soap. For washing, use the selected detergent diluted in water.
How to wash down jackets?
Outerwear, including those with down filler, needs to be cleaned. You can take it to the dry cleaner or wash it yourself. The main thing is to choose the right cleaning product so as not to spoil your Fin Flyer or other expensive item.
liquid gel
Gels lead the ranking of suitable products for down jackets. But not all liquids are suitable, you need to choose products designed specifically for products with down filler.
Advantages:
- do not worsen the heat-saving properties of products;
- qualitatively wash stains;
- prevent fluff from falling into lumps.
For one cycle, usually two caps of gel are sufficient. On the packaging of each product there is an instruction that should be followed. But even the most delicate gels require thorough rinsing.
Household chemicals rinse better in warm water, so instead of the first additional rinse, it is recommended to turn on a quick wash at 30 degrees.
When choosing a liquid product, make sure that it is designed for the task at hand, and do not trust unfamiliar brands – do not risk an expensive thing.
Powders
Washing items stuffed with bird fluff, ordinary powder in a washing machine is akin to Russian roulette. The consequences can be unpredictable. The result depends on the quality of products and fluff, on the characteristics of the water, the washing mode, the rinsing time, and even on the features of the washing machine. Considering the cost of the thing to be washed, it is not worth taking risks using powdered SMS.
If you already decide to use the powdered version, then make sure that it is intended for down jackets – read the information on the package. Otherwise, your winter clothes will lose their heat-conducting properties and become covered with stains, which you will have to deal with later. They say that SMS based on soda is more suitable than others. For example, domestic SMS “Ecole”. Such products practically do not give soap suds, so they will not damage either the down filler or the synthetic shell.
“Ecole” machine, in addition to the usual active components, contains soda crystals. Thanks to its alkaline base, it dissolves fats and softens water, removes stains and dirt even in cold water. Cleans CA parts, prevents scale formation. The manufacturer positions Ecole as a safe and hypoallergenic SMS. Suitable for all fabrics except silk and wool. The packaging indicates how much powder is needed so that later there are no problems with rinsing. It is not recommended to exceed the dose.
The advantages of “Ekol” include an affordable price – 2,4 kg costs about 350 rubles, a low content of phosphates and a high quality of washing. Minus – strong smell.
Capsules
Capsules – know-how from manufacturers of household chemicals. Inside the capsules is liquid. Applying them is simple – you need to throw them into the drum along with the laundry. Benefits of capsules:
- economical spending;
- ease of use;
- delicate cleansing.
The only difference between capsules and liquid in a bottle is the finished dosage. In all other respects, they are no different from the liquid counterpart. Therefore, the overpayment when buying capsules is only for convenience.
How to remove streaks?
Reasons for the appearance of white streaks:
- Wrong choice of detergent – use of powdered SMS.
- High temperature cycle selection.
- Short spin.
To remove streaks, you need to:
- Wash the item again. Turn on the delicate mode and the corresponding option. Temperature – up to 30 degrees. The spin is turned on at the lowest speed.
- Remove stains manually – using universal stain removers.
Before sending outerwear into the drum of a washing machine, read the labels. If it says dry clean only, then don’t wash it in CMA.
The best detergents for washing down jackets and reviews
An ideal tool for cleaning downy things is special gels. They not only do not spoil the thing, but also effectively wash off the dirt. Let’s take a look at a few popular products. Quality products can be found from manufacturers such as Domal, Nikwax, Woly Sport.
“Unipuh”
Sold in bottles of 250 ml. The cost is 380-400 rubles. You can wash pillows, blankets, down jackets and sleeping bags. One bottle is enough for 5-6 times.
Advantages:
- Leaves no streaks.
- For different types of fabrics. Does not damage the fibers, does not change the shade and color saturation.
- Retains breathability and oil coverage of down. Prevents brittleness and rolling.
- Safe – does not contain phosphates, chlorine and bleaches.
- A slight dose reduction is not critical for the result.
It does not cope alone with complex contaminants – for example, coffee stains must first be washed out.
Nordland
Universal balm. A bottle of 750 ml costs 350 rubles. Hypoallergenic, biodegradable. Contains enzymes.
There are diametrically opposed opinions in the reviews – some consumers were able to remove old stains from ski pants, while others were completely disappointed – Nordland could not remove even slight wear.
PROSEPT Crystal
Multi-purpose liquid product for sportswear. A liter bottle costs about 300 rubles. No phosphates. Retains the shape and structure of down and feathers. Suitable for membrane material. Does not violate the water-repellent properties of fabrics. Contains an antibacterial ingredient. Destroys unpleasant odors.
PROSEPT Crystal copes with many impurities. Washes children’s and sportswear. Removes almost all stains. Users are satisfied with the price and economical consumption – one bottle is enough for a long time, as well as the absence of phosphates in the composition.
SALTON
Special shampoo “Salton” is intended for sportswear, membrane fabrics, down clothing. 250 ml costs about 200-230 rubles.
“Salton” is not liked by users because of the high cost. It is no different from ordinary gels. It is not effective enough at washing difficult stains and foams too much.
“Weasel”
Laska Active & Fresh is a universal liquid gel with enzymes. The cost of a liter bottle is from 150 to 300 rubles. Suitable for membrane fabrics.
Mildly acting gel, designed for light pollution. If the clothes are heavily worn, pre-washing is necessary.
Production from “Profhim”
It contains a specially selected surfactant formula and effective additives. Without damaging the fibers and without violating the intensity of the color, it removes impurities. Does not create a peeling effect. Contains no bleach. Does not violate the breathability and grease of bird feathers. ProfHim is the largest domestic manufacturer. The range includes household chemicals for all occasions.
Apply at a temperature of 30-40 ° C. It is recommended to clean especially dirty areas – cuffs, hem, pockets and collars.
Some useful tips
Useful tips:
- Do not rush to use stain removers and bleaches to remove stubborn stains. Try to remove them first with a simple laundry soap. Apply soap suds to the dirty place and gently rub the cloth. Rinse and wash in SMA.
- It is strongly not recommended to use rinse aids and conditioners – the filler actively absorbs all the “chemistry” and odors.
- For any color of down jacket, do not use SMS containing chlorine or bleach.
- If the clothes have decorative inserts made of natural fur, it is better not to experiment and give the product to dry cleaning.
In order for down jackets to retain their presentability, it is necessary to provide them with careful care. For washing, it is best to use special gels – they act gently, do not violate the structure of the filler and the appearance of products.