How to wash winter jackets?

All winter jacket owners sooner or later face the problem of cleaning or washing. You can do it at home or use dry cleaning services. And if you are reading these lines, it means you decided to put your outerwear in order yourself. In fact, it is not as difficult as it may seem. It is enough to take into account the characteristics of the filler and the manufacturer's recommendations. They are indicated on the product label.

In this article we give general tips for washing all types of winter jackets, and also cover:

• How to wash a down jacket?
• How to wash a polyester jacket?
• How to wash a winter jacket with synthetic padding?
• How to wash a jacket with camel wool?

1. WASHING TIPS FOR ALL TYPES OF WINTER JACKETS

• Any jacket should be prepared before washing. It is necessary to empty the pockets, unfasten the hood, remove the fur trim and belt.
• Inspect the item for heavily soiled areas. If there are any (and these are usually: cuffs, collar, pockets, windproof strip) pre-treat them with detergent or soap.
• The usual powder for washing white or colored items is not suitable for a jacket. Therefore, when choosing a detergent, follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Use gels or liquid detergents created specifically for these types of items. They do not contain bleach, have ideal solubility and excellent washing out.
• Before loading the jacket into the drum of the washing machine, fasten the central fastener, Velcro, zippers and buttons on the outer and inner pockets. You should also turn the item inside out.
• Wash the jacket separately from other items.
• Jackets with natural or artificial filling do not require pre-soaking, with the exception of items with a removable fur lining.
• The water temperature and washing mode should correspond to the recommendations on the label. If there is none (for example, it has become worn over time), use the washing mode according to the type of fabric (polyester, nylon, softshell, etc.) and the type of filler (natural fluff, synthetic padding, holofiber, etc.). The type of filler is always a priority. In most cases, a delicate washing mode is used.
• Always use down balls to wash your down jackets. Their spiked surface breaks up the filling during the wash, preventing it from clumping.
• The spin function can only be used if it is indicated on the label, strictly observing the number of revolutions.
• After the main stage of washing, be sure to rinse the jacket additionally. 3-4 times will be enough to completely remove the remains of the detergent from the filler. The main criterion is clean water.
• It is strictly forbidden to use the "Automatic drying" function.

2. HOW TO WASH A DOWN JACKET?

Many people willingly buy a down jacket and wear it with pleasure all winter. Outerwear made of natural down perfectly retains heat. At the same time, the down jacket has a minimal volume, is practically not felt on the shoulders, breathes well and effectively removes steam to the outside, maintaining a comfortable microclimate inside. However, such a jacket is very sensitive to temperature, washing and drying mode.

We tell you how to properly wash a down jacket at home so that it retains its original appearance and lasts as long as possible. A mandatory requirement is to use a detergent for down or wool products. Regular powder is difficult to wash out of the insulation. The result is a violation of thermal protection, a specific smell and marks on the top layer of the product.

• Washing temperature - no more than 30°C.
• Washing mode – “Gentle”, “Hand”, “Delicate” or other, specified by the manufacturer for down jackets.
• Turn off the spin mode or set the minimum possible number of revolutions.
• Add an additional rinse.
• Turn off automatic drying.
• Before loading into the drum, prepare the down jacket: remove the fur (if any), belt, hood.
• Pre-wash dirty areas with soapy water and a soft sponge or brush.
• Fasten pockets, main zipper, buttons and Velcro on pockets and sleeve cuffs.
• Put the product in the machine and wash.

Drying rules for a down jacket

Drying is no less important than washing. The jacket's appearance and heat-saving properties depend on it.

• Take the wet down jacket out of the machine. Do not wring it out.
• Shake out the jacket, lay it out on a horizontal surface, straighten out the folds, blot it several times with a terry towel to absorb the water.
• Do not dry the down jacket vertically - the fluff will fall to one side and dry poorly. It will be very difficult to straighten it out later. Also, do not dry the down jacket in the open sun, on a radiator or near other heat sources.
• It is better to dry the jacket on a clothes dryer in a horizontal position and in a well-ventilated room. You can use a heat source, but not in direct contact.

Recommendations for washing and drying a down jacket

• Do not pre-soak the down jacket.
• The water temperature should not exceed 40°C.
• Do not use regular powder, use only down jacket detergents without bleaches and dyes.
• Do not neglect thorough rinsing. 3-4 waters is not an indicator. Only water without foam is an indicator.
• If you don't have a clothes dryer, you can dry your down jacket on the table, placing a wide towel or sheet in several layers under the wet item so that they absorb the remaining moisture. In this case, change the towel periodically, shake out the jacket, turn it over from side to side, each time carefully straightening out the fluff in the pockets.

3. WASHING A POLYESTER JACKET

Modern models of men's and women's jackets are made of textiles, bologna, leather, suede, raincoat fabric, denim, stretch leatherette. They all have different performance characteristics, but in terms of practicality, the leader is polyester - a special type of synthetic fabric made of polyester fibers with the characteristics of cotton and the appearance of wool.

A polyester jacket is difficult to rinse, so use only liquid detergents or gels for washing. When choosing them, pay attention to the following criteria:

• Gel or liquid powder for polyester should easily dissolve in water, even at room temperature.
• The detergent should rinse well, it should not contain bleach or aggressive components.
• Choose highly specialized "chemistry" that will indicate - detergent or gel for polyester. Universal ones work worse.

Machine wash

The answer to the question of how to wash a polyester jacket in an automatic machine can be found on the product label. It indicates the recommended water temperature and washing mode.

1. Prepare the clothes before washing: unfasten the hood, remove the fur from the collar, and remove the belt and all the contents of the pockets.
2. Pre-wash the most soiled areas with soapy water.
3. Fasten the zippers, buttons, Velcro and turn the jacket inside out.
4. Set the washing mode to "delicate" (unless otherwise specified) and check that the washing temperature corresponds to that indicated on the label (usually 40°C)
5. Pour gel or liquid detergent for polyester into the container.
6. Check that the spin mode corresponds to the minimum revolutions (usually from 400 to 600).
7. Add fabric softener for polyester items.
8. If there is an extra rinse function, turn it on to prevent streaks.
9. After washing, remove the jacket, smooth out the creases with your hands and hang it on a hanger to dry in a well-ventilated area.

Hand wash

If you are afraid to wash a polyester jacket in a washing machine, wash it by hand, especially if the manufacturer recommends only this option. The process is not as difficult as it may seem at first glance.

1. Prepare the jacket (as for machine washing).
2. Pour warm water into the bathtub or a large basin. Its temperature should correspond to the recommended one on the label.
3. Dissolve gel or liquid detergent for hand washing polyester items.
4. Wash the jacket gently.
5. Rinse it in several waters, getting rid of all the foamy water.
6. Add polyester conditioner to the water and rinse.
7. Gently squeeze the jacket without twisting it.
8. Allow the water to drain completely and dry the garment in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight.

4. HOW TO WASH A WINTER JACKET WITH SYNTHETIC WALLPAPER?

A winter jacket with synthetic padding is very popular: it is inexpensive, warm and light. An additional advantage is that a synthetic padding jacket is not demanding in care - you can wash and dry it at home. The main thing is to follow a simple algorithm of actions.

Washing temperature

Before the first wash, pay attention to the label. The manufacturer indicates the type of wash (manual or automatic), temperature, possibility of spinning and drying. As a rule, the water temperature for washing synthetic padding should not exceed 30°C, but there are exceptions - 40°C. Pay attention to the temperature. If the water is too hot, the structure of the artificial fibers changes. The jacket may lose not only its original appearance, but also its heat-saving properties.

Washing mode

Like many artificial fillers, synthetic padding does not like the "centrifuge" - it does not tolerate intensive washing. After loading the jacket into the drum of the machine, select one of the delicate modes, for example: "synthetics", "wool", "delicate items" or "hand wash". If spinning is allowed, but the speed is not specified, use the minimum. For washing, use only liquid detergents, gels and capsules. Avoid regular washing powder. Almost always, its particles remain in the fibers and are not washed out until the end of the day.

Machine wash

1. Remove the fur trim, empty the pockets.
2. Zip the garment.
3. Make sure the jacket is intact so that you don't have to clean the fibres out of the garment later.
4. If there is heavy dirt, lather it well with laundry soap and, if necessary, scrub with a soft brush.
5. Turn the jacket inside out (you can place it in a washing bag if you wish).
6. Load the clothes into the drum, adding special washing balls - they prevent the filler from clumping.
7. Add detergent to the container.
8. Select a washing program or manually set the temperature mode, additional rinse, spin speed.
9. Perform washing.
10. Dry the product.

Hand wash

1. Prepare your clothes: remove items from pockets and remove fur, if any.
2. Fill a bathtub or large basin with water of the desired temperature.
3. Add and dilute gel or liquid detergent in water well, then place the jacket. If you use laundry soap, first dip the jacket in water, then lather it on all sides.
4. If there are heavily soiled areas, scrub them with a soft brush.
5. Wash the jacket delicately.
6. Rinse the garment in warm water (not higher than the washing temperature) several times.
7. Wring out the jacket.
8. Dry the jacket.

How to dry a winter synthetic jacket?

There are two options: on a horizontal surface (great if you have a clothes dryer), placing a terry towel or a sheet folded in several layers underneath, or on a hanger in the bathroom (you can also hang it on a balcony or outside, but not in direct sunlight). If you dry it on the balcony, put a basin under the jacket (especially if you washed it by hand). You won't have to wait long - synthetic padding dries quickly.

5. HOW TO WASH A CAMEL WOOL JACKET?

Among all types of wool, camel down is the most unique. It would be fair to say that it is the most ideal non-woven material, possessing such a set of amazing properties that are often found separately in nature and very rarely together (we wrote about this in more detail here). Unlike a classic down jacket, a camel wool jacket has less volume and weight, while remaining warmer. But, like any other outerwear, it requires periodic washing or dry cleaning.

You can also bring a dirty camel wool jacket back to life at home, using a machine or hand wash. Check the information on the product label. There you will find recommendations regarding the temperature and washing mode. If the information on the label does not allow machine washing, you can wash the jacket by hand.

Hand wash

1. Prepare your clothes: remove items from pockets, remove fur.
2. Fill the bathtub with enough water to completely submerge the jacket.
3. For washing, use only liquid detergent, diluting it thoroughly in water.
4. Dip the jacket in soapy water and immediately begin washing. It is convenient to use a soft sponge or brush during this procedure.
5. Wash without vigorous movements - light squeezing is enough.
6. After washing is finished, rinse the jacket in several waters until the soap solution is washed out.
7. Without wringing, gently squeeze the jacket with your hands to release the bulk of the water from the garment.
8. Hang the jacket on a hanger and hold it over the bathtub to drain all the water.
9. Wait until completely dry.

If the information on the product label allows machine washing, this will greatly simplify the care of the jacket.

Machine wash

1. Wash the jacket separately from all other items.
2. Empty the contents of the pockets, unfasten the fur, remove the belt, zip up the zippers.
3. It is advisable to place the hood and belt in a separate bag and wash them together with the jacket.
4. Pre-wash heavily soiled items (usually on the collar, sleeve cuffs and in the pocket area) by hand using a soap solution and a soft brush.
5. Turn the product inside out and place it in the drum, adding special balls for washing down jackets (they prevent the filler from clumping).
6. If no other mode is specified, use the "Delicate Wash" mode. Water temperature 30°C.
7. Rinse the jacket three times and wring it out at the lowest speed.
8. Dry the garment after machine washing in the same way as after hand washing. First, hang the garment on hangers, then lay it out on a flat surface.

Recommendations

• To avoid white stains after washing, use special liquid powders for delicate washing and do not soak the jacket.
• Do not use concentrated fabric softener, as it is difficult to wash out of the fabric and is most often the main cause of stains.
• Rinse the product well. The water should not be foamy, otherwise, when drying, the foam will appear on the surface of the jacket, and all your efforts will be in vain.