Washing a down jacket made of organic down in a washing machine

While natural down and fur used to be the only protection against the cold, the situation has changed dramatically. There's no need to wear heavy, bulky items anymore—lightweight, thin down jackets with semi-synthetic fillers provide excellent warmth. A prime example are jackets made with bio-down, a biopolymer that can withstand temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius. Another undeniable advantage is ease of care, as bio-down jackets can be machine washed. Just remember a few rules.

Is it permissible to wash a down jacket with this type of filling?

Bio-down has many advantages, including ease of care, especially when compared to natural down and fur. The biopolymer not only withstands machine washing, but also dries naturally, virtually does not pill or bunch up, and dries quickly.

Bio-fluff is an environmentally friendly material that is lightweight, hypoallergenic, dimensionally stable, moisture-resistant, and wear-resistant.

But there's still a risk of damage and deformation: improper cleaning and drying can cause the garment to stretch unevenly, the filling to bunch up, and the outer fabric of the down jacket to lose its original luster and color. To avoid these "surprises," follow the specific instructions.

The number of rules and precautions for washing synthetic down is significantly fewer than for natural down. However, it's essential to know and follow them all.

Automatic washing of a down jacket

To ensure your organic down jacket doesn't get its last wash in the washing machine, there are a few rules to consider. First, keep the water temperature at a maximum of 45 degrees Celsius. Second, adjust the washing machine's settings. It's recommended to use any of the following wash programs:

• "Delicate";
• "Without folds";
• "Down jacket";
• "Down blanket";
• "Wool/Down".

The spin intensity setting is also important. Despite the durability and dimensional stability of the material, it's best not to spin a down jacket filled with organic down above 600 rpm. It's safer to reduce spinning to a minimum, or ideally, to eliminate it altogether.

To wash a down jacket with bio-down filling, you need to purchase liquid detergent and special balls for the drum.

Here are some more helpful tips:

• Place special balls or tennis balls in the drum along with the down jacket (they will “walk” around the drum, help the detergent dissolve faster, and prevent the filler from clumping);
• if there is heavy soiling, treat the soiled areas with a stain remover or soap; in extreme cases, soak the entire item for 2-3 hours in a soap solution;
• remove all removable elements from the down jacket, trim, decoration, hood;
• fasten all zippers and buttons;
• Turn the down jacket inside out and empty all the pockets.

The choice of detergent is crucial. It's best to avoid using regular powder when washing a down jacket, and especially not when cleaning organic down. Granules don't dissolve well in cold water and tend to penetrate and settle into the filling, leaving streaks and damaging the fiber structure as they dry. It’s better not to save money, but to buy a special gel for wool and down products. Regular shampoos, gel capsules, and liquid concentrates are also suitable. They "work" even at 20 degrees Celsius, gently cleansing and rinsing completely out of the padding. Using a rinse and conditioner is also permitted; just make sure to double rinse.

Can be washed by hand

Washing a down jacket by hand is extremely difficult: the wet item becomes very heavy, making it difficult to wash and rinse. Despite its drawbacks, this method of cleaning remains the safest and most gentle, as you have complete control over the process. The main thing is to be aware of the potential inconveniences and follow a few rules.

As with machine washing, prepare your down jacket for cleaning. Check all pockets, fasten all zippers and buttons, remove any trim and trim, and then turn the jacket inside out. Next, follow these steps:

• fill a large basin or bathtub with warm water (maximum 45 degrees);
• straighten and fluff the down jacket to evenly distribute the bio-down, fluff up the filling, ensuring uniform absorption of water;
• dissolve the detergent in water;
• lower into the soap solution, completely immersing;
• we begin cleaning, gently beat, press and smooth;
• drain the water;
• we fill the down jacket with a new portion of clean water and rinse it;
• We repeat the “drain-fill” pattern until the water becomes clear.

It's best to use a liquid detergent, which has a gentle formula and is mild. It dissolves completely in water, so there's no need to lather the entire jacket. However, if the garment is heavily soiled, spot-treating is necessary.

You can add fabric softener when hand washing, but don't overdo it. Keep in mind that you'll need to rinse the product out, which will require even more effort and time. Do not wring or twist the product, as the fluff will become deformed and crumpled.

Getting rid of moisture correctly

It's important to dry your down jacket properly. Don't wring it out, or fold it in half and hang it on a clothesline—after a while, the creases will be difficult to straighten out. It's best to dry it in the safest possible manner.

1. First, let the water drain by placing the down jacket on the bottom of the bath and leaving it for 20-30 minutes.
2. Then lay the item out on a floor drying rack and place rags underneath, wrung out when wet.
3. Once most of the moisture has been removed, hang the garment on a hanger and leave until completely dry.
4. Place a heater at a distance of 40-60 cm (no closer - the fluff will melt).
5. Turn the jacket over and fluff it regularly to prevent the filling from bunching up.

Bio-down dries relatively quickly—a maximum of 4 hours. You can speed up the process by using a special tumble dryer. There's a special setting for down items, but if there isn't one, select the lowest temperature.

   

Readers' comments