Inside the down jacket there is a fluff of waterfowl. Thanks to the natural "filling", this winter clothing is light and warm. In order not to harm her appearance, only special powder for down jackets should be used during washing. We find out what the manufacturer offers for this purpose and with what industrial means can be replaced.
All about washing down jackets
Down jackets are a special type of outerwear in which swan, duck or eiderdown is the filler. These super-warm things can be thoroughly spoiled if you wash them incorrectly. In the manufacture of downy clothes, manufacturers use membrane-type fabrics. Their function is effective perspiration and moisture repulsion. For cleaning membranes and fluff, it is recommended to use special liquid concentrates for these materials. Or at least a gel for delicate fabrics.
Can I wash my down jacket with powder?
In the washing machine, you can wash the largest and most voluminous things, including outerwear. Most common synthetic detergents (SMS) are not suitable for washing down jackets. It’s all about the features of the bird's “feather-feather”.
If you add the usual SMS to the washer - even the most expensive and high-quality one, there will be a “local catastrophe” - 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 does not correct the situation - the feathers will not be able to straighten, they will remain knocked down. The filler will be distributed unevenly, 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 I wash with shampoo?
Some housewives use ordinary hair shampoo to wash items with feather filling. This is supposedly a gentle option. In fact, the product is no better than ordinary SMS, shampoo actively destroys the fat layer, does not fight dirt and stains, 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 on bird fluff:
- The composition should not be 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. You should choose products designed for delicate fabrics.
- You can use SMS for baby clothes. They have a more gentle effect on things, and the risks of washing down products are minimized.
- You should not take complex versions - two or three in one. Such SMS at the same time serve as balms, conditioners, conditioners. Their impact can adversely affect the state of things.
What can not be done when washing down products:
- Soak for a long time.
- To stain dirty places with laundry soap. For washing use a selected detergent diluted in water.
How to wash down jackets?
Outerwear, including with down filling, needs to be cleaned. You can give it a dry cleaning 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 top the rating of suitable products for down jackets. But not all fluids are suitable, you must choose products designed specifically for products with down filling.
Benefits:
- do not impair the heat-saving properties of the products;
- qualitatively wash spots;
- prevent lumps 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 a thorough rinse.
Household chemicals are better rinsed in warm water, so instead of the first additional rinse, it is recommended to include a quick wash at 30 degrees.
When choosing a liquid product, make sure that it is intended for the assigned tasks, and do not trust unfamiliar brands - do not risk an expensive thing.
Powders
Wash items stuffed with bird fluff, ordinary powder in a washing machine - akin to "Russian roulette". The consequences can be unpredictable. The result depends on the quality of the products and down, on the characteristics of the water, the washing regime, the rinse time and even on the features of the washing machine. Given the cost of the thing to be washed, it’s not worth the risk using powdered SMS.
If you decide to use a powder version, then make sure that it is designed for down jackets - read the information on the package. Otherwise, your winter clothes will lose their heat-conducting properties and become covered by stains, which will have to be subsequently fought. They say that soda-based SMS is most suitable. For example, domestic SMS "Ekol". Such funds practically do not give soap foam, so they will not damage either the downy filler or the synthetic shell.
The “Ekol” 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 the details of CA, prevents the formation of scale. The manufacturer positions Ecol 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. Exceeding doses is not recommended.
The advantages of "Ekol" include the affordable price - 2.4 kg costs about 350 rubles, low phosphate content and high quality washing. Minus is a strong smell.
Capsules
Capsules - know-how from manufacturers of household chemicals. Inside the capsules is liquid. It’s easy to use them - you just need to put them in the drum along with the laundry. Benefits of capsules:
- economical spending;
- ease of use;
- delicate cleansing.
The only difference between the capsules and the liquid in the bottle is the finished dosage. In all other respects, they are no different from the liquid counterpart. Therefore, overpayment when buying capsules is only for convenience.
How to remove stains?
The reasons for the appearance of white stains:
- The wrong choice of washing substance is the use of powdered SMS.
- High temperature cycle selection.
- Short spin.
To remove stains, you must:
- Wash the item repeatedly. Turn on the delicate mode and the corresponding option. Temperature - up to 30 degrees. Spin include at the lowest speeds.
- Manually remove stains - using universal stain removers.
Before sending outerwear to the drum of the washing machine - read the labels. If it says that the item should be cleaned only in dry cleaning, do not wash it in the AGR.
The best means for washing down jackets and reviews
An ideal tool for cleaning down items - special gels. They not only do not ruin the thing, but also effectively remove dirt. Consider several popular products. High-quality products can be found at manufacturers such as Domal, Nikwax, Woly Sport.
Unipuh
Sold in 250 ml bottles. Cost - 380-400 rubles. You can wash pillows, blankets, down jackets and sleeping bags. One bottle is enough for 5-6 times.
Benefits:
- Leaves no stains.
- For different types of fabrics. It does not damage the fiber, does not change the hue and color saturation.
- Keeps breathability and a fatty covering of down. Prevents brittleness and rolling.
- Safe - does not contain phosphates, chlorine and bleaches.
- A slight dose reduction is not critical to the result.
It cannot cope alone with complex contaminations - for example, coffee stains must first be washed.
Nordland
Universal balm. A 750 ml bottle costs 350 rubles. Hypoallergenic, biodegradable. Contains enzymes.
The reviews have diametrically opposed opinions - some consumers were able to remove old spots from the ski pants, others were completely disappointed - Nordland could not remove even small scratches.
PROSEPT Crystal
Universal liquid for sportswear. A liter bottle costs about 300 rubles. No phosphates. Keeps the shape and structure of fluff and feather. Suitable for membrane material. Does not violate the water repellent properties of fabrics. As a part - an antibacterial component. Destroys unpleasant odors.
PROSEPT Crystal copes with many contaminants. 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 lack of phosphates in the composition.
Salton
Special Salton shampoo is intended for sportswear, membrane fabrics, downy clothes. 250 ml costs about 200-230 rubles.
"Salton" is not pleasant to users because of the high cost. It is no different from ordinary gels. It is not effective enough to wash complex stains and foams too much.
"Weasel"
Weasel Active & Fresh is a universal liquid gel with enzymes. The cost of a liter bottle is from 150 to 300 rubles. Suitable for membrane tissue.
A mild gel for easy contamination. If the clothes have strong wiping, pre-wiping is necessary.
Products from Profhim
The composition contains a specially selected surfactant formula and effective additives. Without damaging the fibers and without violating the color intensity, removes impurities. Does not create a peeling effect. There is no bleach in the composition. Does not violate the air permeability and grease lubrication of bird feathers. ProfHim is the largest domestic manufacturer. In assortment - household chemicals for all occasions.
Apply at a temperature of 30–40 ° С. It is recommended to clean especially dirty areas - cuffs, hem, pockets and collars.
Some useful tips
Helpful hints:
- Do not rush to use stain removers and bleaches to remove stubborn stains. Try to clean them first with a simple laundry soap. On a dirty place, apply soapy foam and gently rub the cloth. Rinse and wash in the AGR.
- Rinsing agents and conditioners are strictly not recommended - the filler actively absorbs all the “chemistry” and odors.
- For any color of the down jacket, do not use SMS containing chlorine or bleach.
- If your clothing has decorative inserts made of natural fur, it is better not to experiment and give the product dry cleaning.
In order for down jackets to maintain their presentability, it is necessary to provide them with gentle care. For washing, it is best to use special gels - they work gently, do not violate the structure of the filler and the appearance of the products.