How to quickly dry a down jacket after washing without ruining it?

How should you dry down jackets after washing? Usually the result is not happy: clumps of fluff, stains on the fabric and a musty smell. But there are several rules that, if followed, will help you dry your down jacket quickly and without loss of appearance. But if you strictly follow the rules, then winter clothes will last for more than one season without losing either their attractiveness or performance properties.

We must not forget about this

Despite the fact that many articles have been written about how to properly wash, and even more so how to dry down jackets, the owner of this miracle makes the same mistakes. Whether this is done out of laziness or due to lack of time is unknown. But the result is usually disastrous - the down jacket, at best, acquires an extremely unpleasant odor. This can be easily fixed. It is enough to wash it again and this time carry out the procedure correctly. It’s worse when the down filling deteriorates and is no longer able to keep you warm in cold weather. All that remains is to throw out the hopelessly damaged jacket and go to the store for a new one.

Therefore, it is worth reminding once again what should not be done under any circumstances.

• Do not wash your down jacket on a cycle that requires high water temperature and a strong cycle.
• Do not use powders - only liquid products created specifically for such clothing. You can even try using regular shampoo.
• Do not get carried away with frequent washing of down jackets, this can wash away the water-repellent impregnation. If you can get away with dry cleaning, do it.
• Be sure to rinse your jacket well, otherwise soapy streaks may remain on the fabric. This is not only unsightly, but also reduces the properties of the down jacket.
• Do not set the spin speed to high. Firstly, the jacket will spin at low speeds, and the energy consumption will not be so high. And secondly, at high speeds, the filler can deteriorate and clump so much that later it will no longer be possible to fluff it up and dry it properly.
• Don't forget to pack tennis balls with your jacket.
• Do not dry your down jacket in a horizontal position, much less on terry towels; such products need good air circulation. Otherwise, you will get spoiled filler and a disgusting smell.
• You cannot use radiators, heaters and hair dryers, even if the down jacket needs to be dried very urgently. Damage both the filler and the impregnation of the fabric. By the way, you shouldn’t leave a jacket in the sun either, especially one made of light-colored fabrics.
• Don't be lazy to shake and break up lumps of fluff, even the smallest ones. This process may take some time, but the down jacket will dry faster and the filler will not lose its properties.

If, in addition to all these points, you also store your down jacket correctly (do not fold it, but simply hang it on hangers in the closet), then the jacket will serve you for a long time without requiring repair, much less replacement.

Proper care of winter clothes

Before you think about how to dry your favorite jacket, you should wash it properly. Otherwise, further actions are already pointless. If you follow the order and correctness of actions, further drying will not cause any special problems and will go quickly enough.

1. Before putting the down jacket in the machine, you need to treat the sleeves and especially dirty places.You can wipe them with laundry soap, diluted dishwashing detergent, a solution of ammonia (one spoon per 100 ml of water), water, salt and vinegar, or simply sprinkle with table salt or starch. Let the jacket sit for a while, literally 10–15 minutes, and you can put it in the wash.
2. But even here you shouldn’t start the machine quickly. First, unfasten the hood and other removable parts, button the jacket and turn it inside out.
   

   Advice

   Place several tennis balls in the drum; they will prevent the fluff from clumping into one lump, but will distribute it neatly. In this case, neither the fabric nor the filler will be damaged. Just be careful when using colored balls with a jacket made from light-colored fabric: they may fade and unsightly stains will appear on the down jacket. It is better to first check this available product for color fastness.

3. Now you can start the wash. Set the gentle cycle: “Wool”, “Hand Wash” or “Delicate Wash”. Do not forget that powders cannot be used. Purchase in advance a special product for products with down or for membrane fabrics. Set the spin cycle to the lowest setting.

If you haven't missed any of the steps, you'll end up with a clean jacket without any clumps of fluff. But this is not the end of caring for winter clothes. Now you need to dry it properly. But if your washing process followed all the rules, further drying will no longer be an endless headache.

How to properly dry a winter jacket?

Now you have a wet jacket on your hands, you are on to the next process. And a lot depends on how to dry the down jacket correctly.Even if you used a delicate cycle when washing, balls and did not throw the jacket haphazardly, it may lose its appearance and warming properties if you hang it on a line on the balcony. But you can’t dry your jacket on a radiator either, otherwise the filling will simply deteriorate.

1. A down jacket cannot be dried flat out, as is usually done with sweaters. This way the jacket will take a very long time to dry, acquire an unpleasant musty smell, and instantly lose its shape. So let's move straight to the second point.
2. As soon as you take the down jacket out of the machine, quickly shake it several times. So the filler, which was not broken by the balls, will straighten out a little inside. Don’t be too zealous in this matter - this is not a doormat, shake it lightly.
3. Hang the jacket on a coat hanger and choose a suitable place to dry it. It should be a warm place with good circulation of fresh air. Naturally, away from heating devices, since temperatures above 30 degrees are fatal for down jackets.
4. Periodically remove the jacket from its hangers and shake it. If you are lucky in that the filling in the down jacket is divided into compartments, then you can simply knead it slightly with your hands. You can use a special rug beater. There is no need to be zealous, the process should be carried out as carefully as possible.
5. You should immediately prepare for a long wait, since the fluff takes quite a long time to dry. The process usually takes at least two days. But if you need to dry your jacket very quickly, you can use a fan or hairdryer, using only the cold setting. Do not direct the air flow to one place, but rather process the entire jacket, moving smoothly over the surface.Also remember to stop and shake your jacket periodically.

As you can see, the question of how to dry a down jacket has a fairly simple answer. If you are not lazy and in a hurry, a down jacket will delight you for many seasons. And you won’t have to update your wardrobe from year to year, especially since such products are not cheap. You have the power to save money, your own strength and nerves; you just need a little patience and attentiveness. You already have the necessary knowledge.

We recommend reading the article about how to fluff up the down in a down jacket after washing