Outerwear with fur trim looks very beautiful and stylish. However, besides the pleasant sensations of wearing them, such items present one inconvenience for their owners: cleaning a down jacket with fur trim is not easy.
Of course, the best option is to take the item to a dry cleaner. But professional services aren't available in every small town or village, and not everyone can afford the extra expense. Let's figure out whether it's possible to wash a fur jacket in the washing machine and how to restore your favorite down jacket without ruining its appearance.
Can the fur be removed or not?
Whether or not a down jacket can be washed in a washing machine will depend on the way the trim is attached to the jacket. If the fur can be removed and is held in place by a zipper, buttons or snaps, then it is safe to load the item into the drum. Once the trim is firmly fixed, you will have to give up the washing machine.
The fur on jackets doesn't get dirty easily, so it doesn't require thorough cleaning. Usually, simply brushing it with a soft brush to fluff it up and remove dust and dirt is sufficient. If the fur still looks a bit rough, dry washing is a good option. In this case, the pile is treated with a loose material. You can use the following as a cleaner:
potato or corn starch;
wheat bran;
flour;
talc;
mustard powder.
First, apply the product to a small area of the fur. If the item passes the test, the entire fur trim is rubbed with the dry mixture, then the powder is combed out of the fur. Finally, shake the fur thoroughly.
Natural fur does not tolerate prolonged soaking in water, so machine washing is not recommended.
Jackets with a narrow fur trim can be washed in the washing machine. It's important to select the gentlest cycle, avoid spinning, and use a cleaning gel for delicate fabrics. Be prepared for the trim to look shabby after being removed from the drum, so quickly fluff it up with a comb. If the down jacket has a luxurious fur collar or a luxurious fluffy trim on the hood, machine washing is definitely a no-no.
Why shouldn't you wet fur?
When animal hides are processed in factories, the natural oils that protect the fur from moisture are removed. Some manufacturers still try to preserve the fleece's ability to roll off water droplets, making these products less susceptible to this risk.
Another issue is the risk of damage to the leather, which is the base of the fur. To save money, it is overstretched in factories. After getting wet and drying, the "frame" loses its shape and shrinks, turning the luxurious fur collar into a flimsy, shrunken strip. A jacket with such trim will be ruined by even the most gentle wash.
Therefore, if you have even the slightest doubt about the quality of the fur trim, be sure to heed the advice of experts. Do not attempt to wash a fur jacket in the washing machine. Clean the fur only by hand, avoiding getting it too wet.
How to wash a jacket?
If the fur trim can be removed from a down jacket, the jacket itself is likely machine washable. Before loading the garment, carefully read the care label. It will indicate the best temperature and washing method for the garment.
If machine washing is possible, be sure to set the machine to a gentle cycle and use special detergents for outerwear.
It's recommended to avoid dry powders. Their granules are difficult to rinse out of the litter, leaving stains on clothes. When washing a down jacket, it is better to give preference to liquid detergents - they quickly dissolve in water and are easily removed from the fabric fibers. We'll tell you which gels can be used when washing jackets.
Trekko Down Wash for down items. Designed for hand and machine washing of down clothing, duvets, and pillows, this gel dissolves quickly in water, effectively removes dirt, and has an antibacterial effect. Its special formula is gentle on the down filling, preserving its structure and preventing clumping. It also neutralizes unpleasant odors. A 500 ml bottle costs about $3.
BioMio Bio-Sensitive liquid detergent with cotton extract is also suitable for washing jackets. This product is an excellent alternative to powder detergent. It tackles any level of staining and is suitable for delicate fabrics. It does not contain phosphates or artificial fragrances, which can be harmful to the environment and human health. There's no need to use fabric softener with the gel—your clothes will already be soft. A 1.5-liter bottle costs approximately $4.90.
HG Gel for delicate fabrics, wool, and down items. This multi-purpose product can also be used for washing underwear, bed linen, children's clothing, and silk. It cleans effectively and removes tough stains. It does not contain phosphates. The formula is hypoallergenic and does not irritate skin. It rinses completely from fibers without leaving streaks. Price per bottle: $5.11.
Cotico sportswear detergent can be used to clean down jackets and windbreakers. It's suitable for both machine and hand washing. It removes even the most stubborn stains while maintaining the fiber structure. It preserves the properties of membrane materials without affecting the water-repellent finish. It can neutralize persistent, unpleasant odors. A liter bottle costs about $3.
Clean Home antibacterial gel for sportswear. Ideal for washing jackets and down jackets, both by hand and in the washing machine. It dissolves quickly, even in cool water, and fights stubborn stains without leaving streaks. It combats unpleasant odors and provides additional antimicrobial protection. Suitable for membranes and synthetics. Price per liter: about $3.
Large Wash Liquid for Down Jackets. Effectively removes stains and maintains the shape of outerwear. A $2.50 package is enough for 10 washes. The hypoallergenic formula is suitable for children's jackets.
When washing a fur-trimmed down jacket, be sure to remove the trim. You can toss the jacket in the washing machine and spin it on a gentle cycle, but the nap should be hand-cleaned using a dry method. If the fur trim is not removed, it's best to take the item to a dry cleaner—they'll refresh it without damaging it.
Outerwear with fur trim looks very beautiful and stylish. However, besides the pleasant sensations of wearing them, such items present one inconvenience for their owners: cleaning a down jacket with fur trim is not easy.
Add a comment