The bird down used to make jackets has the unique ability to create an air cushion that keeps you warm. Provided that one fluff weighs from 0,001 to 0,002 grams, clothes made of fluff are quite light, almost weightless. The incredible elasticity of the fluffs allows them to easily regain their shape after getting wet, so you can wash down jackets, but strictly in accordance with the instructions.
Selecting a detergent
Due to the peculiarities of the filler of a down jacket, in order to stretch well, significantly more water is needed than usual for fabric products of the same volume. Therefore, nothing else can be put into the washing machine along with the jacket. If you decide to wash your down jacket by hand, it is best to do it in a large tub.
You should be especially careful when choosing a detergent, it is best to use its liquid version without any fragrances and other excesses in the composition. Also remember that any kind of conditioners-conditioners settle on the fluff as a thick film, sticking them together, so if you do not want to ruin your jacket, refuse to use them.
Tennis balls added with the jacket to the washing machine will help the down to avoid clumping during washing.
Before washing, inspect the jacket for stains, treat them with liquid soap or detergent for woollens, leave to act for 15-20 minutes. Place the down jacket in the washing machine, select a wash cycle with a temperature of 30 ° C and the maximum number of rinses. Well, if the machine has an extra rinse button, turn that on too. Take a clean, well-wrung jacket out of the machine. The most crucial phase comes – the drying of the down jacket.
If whitish streaks appear on the jacket along the seams, it must be rinsed well again.
It is best to dry products with down in a tumble dryer on a gentle mode with a blowing temperature of no more than 40 ° C. Place 3-4 tennis balls in the dryer with your jacket. During the drying process, they will roll over the drum, whipping up the fluff, preventing the fluff from sticking together. You cannot put anything else in the car. The down that dries out needs a lot of space around it to be able to spread out well.
If you don’t have a tumble dryer, no problem. The down jacket is able to dry naturally, but at the same time you should choose a warm place for it with constant air access from all sides. In this case, you will need to beat the jacket every 2-3 hours, kneading the lumps of caked fluff with your hands. If you do not do this, later the jacket will no longer be saved. And so in 2-3 days your down jacket will return to its former lightness and volume, and it will again protect you with faithful truth from cold weather and snowstorms. It’s also worth reading about how to get wax stains out of your clothes.