What detergents can be used for washing down jackets at home?

Only by correctly selecting and using detergents for washing down jackets can you count on maintaining the attractiveness and functionality of the product for a long time. Dry cleaning services are not available to everyone, and for some this option is simply inconvenient, so every housewife should know how to properly process a piece of clothing in a washing machine and how to clean it by hand.

Based on the chosen exposure option, the detergent composition is selected. Despite the fact that today, if you wish, you can purchase high-quality and product-safe gel, liquid powder, or even specialized shampoo, you should also not forget about traditional product options.

Detergents that are not suitable for cleaning down jackets

Some products are absolutely not suitable for washing down jackets, regardless of the effect on the material and filling. This is due to the structural features of the feather, which is designed to make the garment as light as possible, but at the same time warm. For example, if you wash an item with ordinary powder, even of the highest quality, the natural fat layer on the surface of the feathers will be destroyed. As a result, they will stick together (both in the washing machine and during normal soaking) so that even after drying they will not be able to straighten out under the pressure of their own weight.Forming numerous lumps, such filler will not be distributed evenly, will leave many gaps, and will begin to let in cold air.

Hair shampoo is also not the best option. Its owners are increasingly trying to use it to wash their down jacket “in the most gentle way possible.” In practice, this approach creates more problems than it brings benefits. Firstly, it also actively washes away the fat layer from the surface of the pen. Secondly, it is not able to fight dirt; stains after such washing, even in a washing machine, still remain. Thirdly, due to the abundant foam, it is almost impossible to completely wash the shampoo out of the filler. After the product has dried, streaks and streaks clearly appear on its surface.

You will also have to put aside the multifunctional washing liquid. The vast majority of such compositions reduce the quality of the filler and do not cope well with contamination.

Benefits of store-bought products

Today, in any large sports hypermarket you can find specialized products for washing down jackets. They are not very expensive, are used economically and give exactly the result that is needed. In addition, such compositions still have many advantages:

• The special formula of the product acts on the synthetic surface gently but intensively. There is no negative impact on the down filling.

Tip: Many stores offer capsules for washing down jackets. These are small bags containing gel, placed directly into the drum with the product. The only advantage of this product is that it does not need to be measured.Otherwise, it's the same product as in the bottle, just at a significantly higher price.

• The structure of the fibers does not change, the fabric does not fade, does not become stained or stained.
• Even if you wash a down jacket with this composition in a washing machine, it will look like new. The filler will fluff up, the product will acquire the desired volume and a pleasant smell.

Most often, a special gel or special shampoo is offered for treating down jackets. In extreme cases, you can use powder, but only one intended for automatic washing machines and marked “suitable for washing down jackets” in the instructions.

Effective folk remedies

Natural household chemicals do not lose their popularity due to their high efficiency, hypoallergenicity and safety for materials. If you wash your down jacket with one of the following products, you can count on the desired result with minimal risks of a negative outcome:

• Soda based powder. This type of detergent produces virtually no soap suds, so it does not harm the down filling or synthetic shell. With its help, the down jacket can be washed both by hand and in the washing machine.

• Castile soap. It can be represented by a solid bar and liquid. The first option is ideal for removing local stains. The liquid is best used for hand washing. Although it does not remove heavy stains, the product will be noticeably refreshed.

• Soap nuts. The composition made from soap nuts is added to a bowl of water. The liquid must be thoroughly mixed until smooth. The down jacket must first be soaked in the resulting solution for 1-2 hours, and then washed by hand.It is worth considering that this approach not only removes stains, but also has whitening properties.

• Shampoo without sodium lauryl sulfate. These are natural mixtures that practically do not produce foam, but have a pronounced cleansing effect. The main thing is not to neglect the dosing rules - three tablespoons of the product diluted in a basin of water are enough to clean the down jacket. Due to the lack of foam, it may seem that the method does not work, but this is not so. Only by following the dosage can you clean your down jacket without spending several hours washing out the product.

Unfortunately, natural remedies are practically powerless against serious stains in the form of ink, grease, and berry stains. If the down jacket is very dirty or has acquired a grayish tint, it is better to use a profile gel to clean it.

A few nuances and useful tricks

In order to achieve the maximum positive effect from cleaning a down jacket at home, you need to remember a number of important points in the process:

1. Do not rush to use stain removers and bleaches if you have to deal with stubborn stains. First, you should wash the product with the most common brown laundry soap with a specific pungent odor. Thick foam is applied directly to the stain. Then carefully rub the fabric, rinse it and run it in the washing machine on a suitable setting.
2. Regardless of the color of the down jacket, the use of chlorine and oxygen bleaches is prohibited.
3. Down filling actively absorbs all chemicals and odors, so it is better to avoid any rinses and conditioners.
4. If washing is carried out manually, the detergent must first be diluted in a small amount of warm water.This will reduce the risk of divorce and increase the effectiveness of the approach.
5. If the treatment is carried out in a washing machine, then you should use an additional rinse cycle and reduce the usual amount of detergent by one third.
6. If the down jacket is equipped with decorative inserts made of faux or natural fur (which are not removable), then it is better not to take risks using various home approaches, but to immediately take the item of clothing to the dry cleaner.

Regardless of the type of exposure, before washing a down jacket, you must carefully read its label. Neglecting the recommendations will not have the best effect on the quality of the product.