A winter down jacket is a salvation in the cold. But by the end of December, salt stains, greasy stains from snacks, coffee drops and traces of gloves appear on it. Many people are afraid to wash it at home and think that it will shrink, the fluff will bunch up or will not dry until spring.
In fact, you can and should wash a down jacket, but only correctly. The main thing is to avoid aggressive agents, hot water and spin. With proper care, it will remain light, warm and voluminous, just like on the first day.
Dry cleaning is suitable for daily care. Every two or three days, carefully comb the surface with a soft brush in the direction of the fabric. This removes dust, fine salt and prevents dirt from eating deeper. If there are greasy stains on the collar or cuffs, sprinkle a thin layer of starch or baby powder on them, leave for an hour or two, then shake and wipe off the residue with a dry cloth. After a walk, do not immediately put the down jacket in the closet; hang it on a hanger in a cool hallway for half an hour or an hour so that the moisture evaporates and a musty smell does not appear.
When the dirt can no longer be removed using the dry method, you can move on to wet cleaning. Soak a soft sponge in cool water with a drop of delicate wash gel or mild silicone-free shampoo. Gently blot the stain, do not rub, and immediately blot the area with a dry cloth so that no moisture remains.
If the down jacket is very dirty, it can be washed in a machine, but in compliance with the rules. Select the “down” or “delicate” cycle at thirty degrees, use gel rather than powder, and add two or three tennis balls to the drum to keep the down from bunching up. It is better to turn off the spin or select the minimum speed, no more than six hundred.
Drying is the most important stage. Never dry a down jacket on a radiator, under a hairdryer or on a line, as it will sag, the down will become tangled, and the fabric will become deformed. The correct thing to do is this: unzip all the zippers, lay the down jacket on a horizontal surface, such as a clothes dryer, and shake it periodically so that the down is evenly distributed. Complete drying takes one to two days and patience is a must. When the down jacket is almost dry, you can turn on the light drying cycle in the washing machine with tennis balls for ten or fifteen minutes. This will help the fluff fluff up.
Do not use powder as it does not wash out well and leaves streaks. Do not wash at temperatures above thirty degrees. Do not twist or dry on the radiator. And do not store it in a plastic bag, the fluff in it will “suffocate” and may become moldy.
With proper care, a down jacket will last for more than one season, remaining warm, light and stylish.
