Washing a down jacket made from bio-down in a washing machine

Washing a down jacket made from bio-down in a washing machine If previously only natural fluff and fur saved you from frost, now the situation has changed dramatically. Now there is no need to wear heavy and bulky things - light and thin down jackets with semi-synthetic filling provide excellent warmth. A striking example will be jackets made using bio-down - a biopolymer that can withstand up to -40 degrees. Another indisputable advantage is ease of care, since a down jacket made from bio-down can be washed in a washing machine. The main thing is to remember a few rules.

Is it permissible to wash a down jacket with such filling?

Bio-fluff has many advantages, including easy care. Especially when you compare it with natural down and fur. The biopolymer not only easily withstands washing in a washing machine, but also dries naturally, practically does not pill, does not crumple and dries quickly.

Bio-down is an environmentally friendly material, characterized by lightness, hypoallergenicity, shape stability, moisture resistance and wear resistance.

But there is still a risk of damage and deformation: if improperly cleaned and dried, the item stretches unevenly, the filling “clumps,” and the outer fabric of the down jacket loses its original shine and color. To avoid these “surprises”, you should follow certain instructions. what does bio fluff look like?

The number of rules and precautions when washing artificial down is several times less than that of natural down. But all of them must be known and followed.

Automatic washing of a down jacket

To ensure that washing in a washing machine does not become the last thing for a down jacket with bio-down, you need to take into account several rules.The first is the maximum water heating temperature, which should not exceed 45 degrees. The second point will be setting up the machine. So, it is recommended to include any of the following washing programs:

"Delicate";
“No folds”;
"Down jacket";
"Duvet blanked";
"Wool/Fluff".

The set spin intensity is also important. Despite the wear resistance and dimensional stability of the material, it is better not to accelerate a down jacket with bio-down above 600 rpm. It is safer to reduce the spinning of the drum to a minimum, and ideally to abandon it.

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

There are some other useful tips:

together with the down jacket, put special balls or tennis balls into the drum (they will “walk” around the drum, help the detergent dissolve faster, and prevent the filler from clumping);
if there is heavy contamination, treat the stained areas with stain remover or soap, or, as a last resort, soak the entire item for 2-3 hours in a soap solution;
unfasten all removable elements from the down jacket, edge, decor, hood;
fasten all zippers and buttons;
Turn the down jacket inside out and empty all pockets.

The key point will be the choice of detergent. It is better not to use ordinary powder at all when washing a down jacket, and even more so when cleaning bio-down. The granules are poorly soluble in cold water and tend to penetrate into the filler and settle in it, leaving streaks when drying and disrupting the structure of the fibers. It is better not to save money, but to purchase a special gel for wool and down products. Regular shampoos, gel capsules and liquid concentrates are also suitable.They “work” even at 20 degrees, gently clean and are completely rinsed out of the stuffing. It is also possible to use a rinse aid with conditioner, you just need to turn on a double rinse.

Can be washed by hand

Washing a down jacket by hand is extremely difficult: a wet item becomes very heavy, which complicates washing and rinsing. But, despite the shortcomings, this type of cleaning remains the safest and most gentle - the housewife has complete control over the process. The main thing is to remember the possible inconveniences and follow some rules.

As with machine washing, it is necessary to prepare the down jacket for cleaning. Check all the pockets, fasten all the zippers and buttons, unhook the fur trim and decor, and then turn the product inside out. Next we proceed like this:

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 filler, ensuring uniform absorption of water;
dissolve detergent in water;
dip into a soapy solution, immersing completely;
We begin cleaning, gently beat, press and stroke;
drain the water;
take a new portion of clean water and rinse the down jacket;
We repeat the “drain and set” pattern until the water becomes clear.

It is better to take a liquid detergent, which has a gentle composition and mild action. It dissolves completely in water; there is no need to additionally soap the entire jacket. Another thing is if things are heavily soiled, then local stain treatment is required.

You can add conditioner when washing by hand, but without fanaticism. Keep in mind that the product will have to be rinsed out, which will require even more effort and time. You cannot squeeze or twist the product - the fluff will be deformed and crumpled.

Getting rid of moisture correctly

It is important to dry your down jacket with bio-down correctly. It cannot only be wrung out, but also bent, folded in half and hung on a rope - after a while it will be difficult to straighten the crease. It is better to organize drying in the safest possible way.

First, let the water drain by placing the down jacket on the bottom of the bath and leaving it for 20-30 minutes.
Then lay the item out on a floor dryer and lay down rags to wring out when wet.
As soon as most of the moisture has been removed, hang it on hangers and leave until completely dry.
Place a heater at a distance of 40-60 cm (you can’t get any closer - the fluff will melt).
Turn over and fluff the jacket regularly, preventing the filling from clumping.

Bio-down dries relatively quickly - a maximum of 4 hours. You can speed up the process by using a special drying machine. For down products there is a mode of the same name, and in its absence we select the minimum temperature.