How to wash a holofiber jacket in a washing machine?

Surely everyone owns a down jacket or coat made with hollowfiber. This modern filling and insulation material is highly durable, eco-friendly, and long-lasting. That's why outerwear made with it is so popular. But there comes a time when this garment needs to be washed. Let's figure out how to do this properly and whether it's safe to use a washing machine.

Basic rules

To keep your favorite down jacket from losing its shape and warmth, you need to properly care for it. But how do you properly wash a hollowfiber jacket? In fact, one of the advantages of this synthetic filler is its ease of care. Therefore, items made with it are machine-washable.

Outerwear made from holofiber can be washed in a washing machine.

Choosing the right washing program is very important, and there are some nuances here. Hollow fiber does not absorb moisture well, so you should choose a mode that includes soaking. If heavily soiled, it is better to wash a jacket made with this filler as follows:

• pour warm water into a basin, dissolve detergent in it (powder or special gel for cleaning delicate fabrics);
• soak the item in a soap solution for about half an hour;
• Using a soft-bristled brush, go over the sleeves, collar, pockets, and other heavily soiled areas. If necessary, these areas can be further treated with laundry soap.
• lightly wring out the item and load it into the washing machine drum;
• set the delicate mode, select the “Extra rinse” option, select the spin speed of 800-1000 rpm, start the cycle;
• wait until the wash is finished;
• Take the jacket out of the machine and shake it out to help straighten out the filling.

To prevent the insulation from clumping, it's best to add laundry balls to the washing machine along with the down jacket. If you don't have laundry balls handy, you can add a few tennis balls to the drum.

Hollowfiber feels comfortable in water heated to a temperature of 90°C.

Although the filling isn't affected by hot water, you shouldn't rush into a hot cycle. First, check the label to determine what material the jacket's outer shell is made of. In the production of outerwear, raincoat fabric, bologna, membrane fabrics, and polyester are used, and they have their own limitations and care recommendations. Therefore, before loading the drum, carefully read the product label, which contains all the cleaning and drying requirements.

Jackets made of polyester and raincoat fabric

Let's explore the appropriate washing parameters for hollowfiber outerwear made from different fabrics. Polyester jackets, for example, are very easy to clean. They don't lose their shape, color, or shine, they dry quickly, and they're quite stain-resistant. However, the washing temperature for these items should not exceed 40°C.

Polyester items should be washed with gel detergents designed for delicate fabrics. Using any bleach is strictly prohibited, as it will leave stains and streaks on the material.

Raincoat jackets are waterproof and have excellent breathability. They retain heat well and retain their shape and color even after repeated washing. Water temperatures for washing such outerwear should not exceed 45°C.

When washing raincoat fabric, avoid using a high spin cycle. This can cause creases in the material, which are difficult to remove. The use of bleach or other harsh household chemicals is also strictly prohibited.

"Membrane" and bologna

Outerwear made from membrane fabrics is water-resistant and highly breathable. The outer surface of the material is treated with a silicone- or Teflon-based coating to repel water. The primary goal when washing such jackets is to protect this water-repellent layer. Therefore, wash the garment on a delicate cycle, setting the water temperature to no more than 40°C. Do not tumble dry or spin dry.

When it comes to cleaning products, liquid detergents for membrane fabrics are recommended. They easily remove stains without damaging the product. Abrasive mixtures can clog the pores of the material.

Bologna jackets made from holofiber cannot be washed in a washing machine.

And it's not the filling that's the problem, but the bologna. This fabric is extremely sensitive to any impact, so only gentle hand washing is suitable. Wringing the material is also prohibited, as this will inevitably cause creases. It's recommended to gently wring the garment by hand and hang it over a container to allow the water to drain. Bologna down jackets should be hung flat to dry.

Dry and iron

It's best to hang a washed hollowfiber jacket to dry on a hanger or, as is standard, on a clothesline. Placing outerwear on a radiator or heater is strictly prohibited. This could irreparably damage your favorite item.

The room where outerwear is dried must be well-ventilated. Otherwise, the jacket may develop an unpleasant odor. To remove the musty odor, you'll need to wash the item again. It's best to dry items made of hollow fiber membranes horizontally on a special clothes dryer. This will prevent the jacket from becoming deformed.

If your down jacket looks excessively wrinkled after washing, you can gently steam it with an iron. The iron's soleplate temperature will depend on the fabric the jacket is made of.

The filler is crumpled

Although hollow fiber is a fairly durable material, it can still begin to clump and lose its shape after repeated washing. You can maintain the garment's original appearance by following a simple recommendation each time you cycle it in the washing machine. You should put 6-8 special balls (tennis balls will also work) into the drum at the same time as the jacket. They will fluff up the insulation and add volume. Unfortunately, this method is not suitable for down jackets with a thick filling layer.

If the jacket has completely lost its appearance and you're loath to part with your favorite one, you can try the following: Take a pair of thin scissors and carefully rip the seams to separate the lining from the outer layer of the down jacket. Then, remove the hollow fiber and fluff it by hand or brush it. Then, replace the insulation, and stitch the seams on a sewing machine.

If, after removing the filling, it turns out that it has completely lost its shape and cannot be restored, you can buy new holofiber in craft stores.

If you're worried about replacing the insulation yourself, you can take your jacket to a tailor. An experienced seamstress can easily restore your favorite garment to its original shape.

   

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