A regular jacket can be washed in a washing machine. We are talking about everyday windbreakers, demi-season and winter jackets insulated with padding polyester, and down jackets. In order not to throw away your favorite item later, you need to know the specifics of how to wash a jacket in an automatic washing machine.
Attention! The first step is to check the label, which shows signs indicating the correct handling of the item. Usually the symbol of washing is a bowl of water. Crossed out - cannot be washed, you need to go to the dry cleaner. An uncrossed basin with water and a hand immersed in it means “hand wash only.” But if the numbers in the basin are: 30 or 40 degrees, you can wash it in a machine.
Additional signs will tell you whether it is permissible to press the product by machine, and how to dry it: vertically or horizontally.
Preparation
The volume and weight of the item being washed is important. A large down coat, which will weigh 10 kilograms after taking on water, should not be subjected to this method of cleaning. The drum of the machine simply cannot “turn” the weight. Information about the permissible weight from the instructions for the household appliance will help here.
- Before placing your jacket in the machine, you should check the pockets and remove any hard objects or debris.
- Be sure to fasten the zippers! During machine washing, the teeth may become deformed and the lock will become faulty.
- Usually the fur on the hood or collar is removed. Just in the interests of washing. It’s worth doing the same with metal, plastic or glass decorative elements - tear them off or unfasten them so that they don’t lose their brightness or rust.
- There is an opinion that things should be turned inside out before washing. However, there are no significant arguments to substantiate this statement. You can wash it either way.
- There is another secret to cleanliness. Glazed areas: collar, sleeves, greasy stains may not be washed off. Before loading into the machine, these areas can be wiped with dish soap (it degreases well) and, without rinsing, loaded into the drum.
Important! Products with fur or leather inserts cannot be washed. It's better to go to a dry cleaner.
Is it possible to wash an item by hand?
Washing a jacket by hand is quite a troublesome task. Bulky winter clothes, when wet, become heavy and clumsy.
Hand washing is used in cases where there is a risk of damaging the product by machine washing.
Knowing some secrets will make this task much easier:
- For washing, you should choose a large container.
- Add detergent to warm water and foam it with sharp movements.
- First inspect the jacket for the presence of foreign objects in the pockets, unfasten the fur, and shake it several times.
- Immerse the clothing in water, pressing down with your hands so that the fabric is well saturated with water.
- Using your hand or a soft brush, go over all surfaces of the jacket, pressing lightly, and rub gently, without applying much effort.
- You need to rinse at least twice in warm water, pressing on the product to remove any remaining detergent.
Do not rub the surfaces of the jacket against each other. This will lead to deterioration in the appearance of the clothing and deformation of the filling.
Program selection
Modern household appliances have useful programs “washing outerwear” or “washing a down jacket.” The set mode will automatically determine the desired temperature range. But not all housewives are so lucky. Although ordinary machines are also capable of coping with the task without harming the quality of the item. Suitable programs:
- “delicate wash” - all washing machines have this mode;
- “hand wash” - acceptable for items with a “hand wash only” sign on the label;
- “synthetic” - for jackets made of artificial fibers;
- “Down blanket” - the program is suitable for washing down jackets, the drum rotates in different directions, and the item is constantly shaken.
Advice! When washing a down jacket in the washing machine, you can put a couple of tennis balls in the drum: they will fluff up the down.
The names of washing programs may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. It is important that the process involves careful handling of the item at low temperatures. When choosing which mode to wash a soiled jacket on, you need to understand how washing occurs. Delicate involves a long, leisurely procedure, without sudden movements and hard squeezing. The manual mode does not spin things at all, but only moves them back and forth. Products made from synthetics are more durable and hold color better, so the special program for them is a little more intense. In any case, unless the manufacturer of the item prohibits machine spinning, the number of revolutions per minute should not exceed 600.
Attention! Do not put other items in the drum with a jacket or down jacket.
It is recommended to use the additional super rinse function. You can simply reinstall the machine for the final stage. Bulky outerwear items are sometimes not washed well enough. White powder stains are especially visible on dark things.
General rules for cleaning jackets of all types
In order for the item to retain its original appearance after cleaning, you must follow the following rules:
- First you need to inspect the clothes. If greasy stains are detected, they are treated with a special product, and dust and dirt are removed with a brush.
- If holes are found, they are sewn up.
- Check how strong the seams are.
- If the item has fur, this part is unfastened.
- Remove the lining and hood.
- Take everything out of your pockets and zip them up.
- Turn the product inside out.
Before washing, determine the optimal mode. Information about this is indicated on the label.
Temperature selection
If you care about the safety of the item, then there is no need to talk about high temperatures when washing. It is better not to install above 40 degrees. For particularly delicate fabrics, 30°C water is preferable.
Additional Information! Windbreakers designed to protect the body from rain and wind can be made from different fabrics. The composition of the material dictates the choice of washing temperature.
- Polyester is a material created artificially from the melt of polyester fibers. It has excellent weather-resistant qualities, durability, does not allow rain and wind to pass through, and does not wrinkle.
But in accordance with the nature of its origin, it is afraid of high temperatures. Hot water can “melt” the structure of the fabric, causing the item to become deformed and shrink in size. So in this case, wash at a maximum of 30 degrees. - Nylon is also a synthetic material obtained through chemical manipulation of molecules. It is older and stronger than polyester. Holds paint better. However, it is not resistant to high temperatures: it wrinkles and stretches greatly. Therefore, it is necessary to wash at no more than 40 degrees.
- Corduroy and cotton. Windbreakers made from these materials contain natural fabrics. They are warmer and can withstand washing at 60 degrees.
When washing a jacket in a machine, you should carefully study the composition of the fabric: increasing the percentage of natural fibers increases the temperature of the water.
Suitable programs and modes
You can find out the necessary information about the correct washing mode from the clothing label. Do not ignore the information contained there, as this could damage the item.
First of all, the choice of program and washing mode depends on the material from which the clothing is made, as well as on its internal filler.
Items with feather filling should preferably be hand washed or dry cleaned.
Sintepon and holofiber are machine washable.
The most suitable washing mode for a winter jacket is “Delicate” and “Hand Wash”. If the washing machine is more modern, select a washing mode suitable for the type of fabric from which the winter jacket is made. Also set the number of revolutions according to the specific product. Some washing machine models have a down jacket washing mode.
Features of washing a jacket with headphones
The lucky owners of a beautiful stylish jacket with a built-in gadget will sooner or later have to face the issue of restoring the purity of the item.
Note! You can wash a jacket with built-in headphones!
Responsible manufacturers guarantee the performance of equipment after washing. Underground factories will not give such a guarantee, and the likelihood that the headphones will quickly become just a decorative element is high.
The main points of preparing for washing and choosing a washing machine program are similar to those for other jackets. But there are several specific nuances:
- Do not squeeze or twist the product too hard: you can damage the wires;
- if ironing is required, it is better to avoid areas with wires;
- the iron should not be hot;
- You should wait until it is completely dry before inserting the headphones into the device jack.
How a label on a jacket helps when washing
Let's start with what is usually read last - with the instructions. On any clothing, and on a jacket in particular, there is a label on which every manufacturer, without exception, writes what can be done with the item and what cannot be done.
For the universality of “instructions” of this kind, special icons are used, the meanings of which are absolutely the same in many countries of the world.
Let's look at the most important and necessary ones for those who are interested in how to properly wash a jacket. To do this, just look at the photo below.
What do you definitely need to pay attention to? What is forbidden to do. You also need to take into account that jackets have certain features. For example, if you are wondering how to wash a white jacket, then be sure to pay attention to the label - in 90% of cases, you cannot use bleach, etc. when cleaning such things.
Selecting a detergent
Thin windbreakers and light jackets can be washed with regular washing powders. Competent machine programs will successfully cope with their task. Depending on the color of the material, you should choose a powder for white or colored fabrics.
We recommend:
How to wash a down pillow in a washing machine
There is one proven way to wash a winter jacket in a washing machine so that there are no streaks on the surface or particles of powder in the filler. You need to buy liquid detergent or special gel capsules. Such substances dissolve easily, interact more quickly with contaminants in lukewarm water, and are easily washed out of the fibers.
Note! Do not use stain removers or bleaches on outerwear. It is better to “wash” particularly dirty areas with laundry soap or dishwashing detergent.
How to clean a suede jacket at home
Suede is a very delicate material that requires careful care. If your suede jacket gets dirty, you can wash it by hand. To do this, fill a basin with warm water (temperature +30 ℃), dilute the liquid product and start washing. Do not soak the product or rub it too hard. After washing, rinse clothes thoroughly and dry at room temperature.
Available home remedies will help you get rid of oiliness: water with the addition of vinegar or ammonia. Soak a cotton swab in a vinegar or alcohol solution and wipe the stained area with it before starting a full wash.
Washing membrane items
Modern technologies make it possible to wear things with excellent heat-saving properties. The membrane is a mesh with small pores that do not let air in from the outside, but allow droplets of sweat to escape freely. In order not to spoil the wonderful properties of membrane fabric by barbaric washing, it is important to choose the right detergent. It is best to use special liquid substances for such materials. But not necessarily! You can simply follow a number of recommendations:
- do not use powders: they clog “pores”:
- chlorine destroys the mesh and water-repellent impregnation;
- even rinses and conditioners (along with stain removers) are harmful - they damage the structure of the fabric.
Liquid or gel-like delicate formulations are most suitable.
Ironing of products
It’s easier to wash your jacket again than to iron it after an unsuccessful wash. To avoid trouble, adhere to these rules.
- When washing, you should not put a lot of things in the drum. It's better to wash your jacket separately. This way the item will not crumple too much.
- Do not wring things out, let the water drain on its own.
- If you cannot do without ironing, heat the iron to a maximum of 120 degrees, depending on the type of fabric.
- Iron clothes through damp gauze or cotton cloth. This way, protect the fabric of the product from damage.
- Start ironing with the lining fabric. Look at the reaction of the fabric to ironing; if it does not deform, then you can iron the product from the front side.
- A steam steamer smoothes out wrinkles and creases well.
- Before using the steamer, carefully read the instructions for its use.
- You can smooth out wrinkles without household appliances. Pour boiling water into the bath and hang your jacket over it on hangers for ten minutes. Under the influence of steam, all irregularities will quickly smooth out.
Proper drying
Careful preparation of the item, the right mode and the right detergent will not save your favorite jacket if it is not dried correctly. This stage requires special care.
Firstly, the almighty shortcut will tell you whether there are any peculiarities in drying a particular item. On it you can find symbols for vertical or horizontal position, as well as recommendations for using machine drying.
Secondly, you should always take the washed jacket out of the machine right away. Do not leave it overnight. An unpleasant smell is guaranteed to accompany the owner of the item everywhere. And the wet filler cakes quickly.
For some items, the manufacturer does not recommend spinning even manually. In this case, you need to hang the jacket on a rope and place a basin under it. After some time, the water will drain and you can hang the item on hangers.
For thin nylon windbreakers, it is worth choosing hangers according to size. Better - plastic, repeating the shape of the shoulders. A wet item may become deformed at the protruding parts of an unsuitable hanger.
How to dry a down jacket
The down jacket should be wrung out without twisting: the compressed clumps of down will then be difficult to straighten out. Hang on hangers.
The main rule is to shake the item as often as possible during the entire drying time. This will help avoid stagnation and ensure ventilation of the internal filling. Constant hand beating promotes the evaporation of moisture, the jacket “inflates”, filling the space between the feathers with air. Packed lumps of filler disrupt the thermal properties.
Short-term methods will not work here: if you hang a jacket on a radiator, hard, dried lumps will form inside, and a hot, directed jet from a hairdryer will also do harm. The highly heated surface of the iron deforms the upper fabric, which most likely contains synthetic fibers.
Advice! Do not iron a down jacket. Feathers and down will straighten out during wear and provide the correct shape to the product.
Jackets made of holofiber and padding polyester
These materials like to dry vertically with ventilation, allowing air movement from all sides. Dries quickly.
It is not necessary to take contaminated outerwear to the dry cleaner to restore it to its original condition. You can save money by choosing to wash your clothes in an automatic machine at home. In order not to spoil your favorite outerwear, you need to carefully study the information labels and follow simple recommendations on how to wash your jacket. Purity and quality are guaranteed.
How to dry?
Drying is the final stage of the process of putting clothes in order. Correct actions will help maintain the impeccable appearance of the item and extend its service life.
A few little secrets of proper drying:
clothes with down filling are dried only vertically, placed on a trempel;- It is undesirable to hang jackets on a clothesline, grabbing them with clothespins, they leave unsightly dents on the material;
- pockets should be turned outward so they dry faster;
- To maintain the correct shape of the product, when drying, you need to fasten all the zippers and buttons;
- periodically the clothes need to be shaken, this will allow the filler to fluff up;
- You should not speed up the drying process by placing the item above radiators or heating devices.
You can remove excess water from the product by briefly wrapping it in a cotton cloth and lightly pressing it with your palms over the entire surface. The material will quickly absorb excess moisture.
It is very important to dry your jacket thoroughly before hanging it in your closet for storage. Otherwise, residual moisture will cause mold to appear on clothing.
Useful tips
Now you know how to wash winter jackets. Here are some more useful tips to help you keep your winter clothes clean.
If you find a greasy stain on your jacket, you can easily remove it with a vinegar solution. To do this, take one teaspoon each of vinegar and sea salt and dissolve them in a glass of warm water. After the salt has completely dissolved, moisten a cotton pad with the resulting liquid and wipe the resulting stain.
Another way to effectively remove grease stains, as well as traces of sweat, is to use a solution consisting of a glass of water, half a teaspoon of ammonia, and a teaspoon of salt. This method can also get rid of yellow spots formed due to improper drying.
If you need to iron your jacket after washing, do it with a warm iron, the temperature of which is no more than 110 degrees.
If you don’t know what tennis balls are used to replace when washing a down jacket, we will tell you. Some people are afraid to use them for fear of damaging the drum and shortening its life. Instead of felt tennis balls, you can use specially designed tourmaline and magnetic balls. These inventions are expensive, but their high technology makes it possible not only to preserve the integrity of the down jacket, but also to clean the washing machine from scale and various impurities.
For those who want to save money, we have come up with a popular way to replace tennis balls. Their role can be played by ordinary, cleanly washed potatoes in the same quantity. Every housewife who replaced balls with this product was satisfied with the result.
Preparing and removing stains from different types of jacket fabric:
Different types of fabric and innovative materials for the top of jackets require special care. Let's look at the most popular of them.
Reflective jacket
Wash the jacket in a neutral textile gel. The use of detergents with an alkaline effect or chlorine is not allowed. It often happens that washing a jacket collar requires special attention. Treat it and other worn places with foam whipped from an aqueous solution of the gel. Leave for 20 minutes, rub with a sponge. After this, completely immerse the jacket in a cold washing solution for 30 minutes. Hand washing is recommended, allowing water to drain naturally. Machine spinning is prohibited, drying in the shade.
Water-repellent jacket
Various fabrics have these properties - bologna, synthetic fiber raincoat, membrane. Home washing of a water-repellent jacket is carried out in cold (30 degrees) water, a delicate detergent without aggressive components. It is better to take liquid or gel-like household chemicals. Washing powder clogs the pores of the membrane and leaves stains on the raincoat fabric.
Bolognese jacket
Synthetic fabric is unpretentious, water drains from it like oilcloth. Dissolve the detergent in cool water. The usual way to wash a Bolognese jacket is to soak it in a basin, rinse, and drain the water over a bathtub.
Leatherette jacket
Faux leather clothes should be washed in the same way as bologna. A cool soapy solution will wash away dirt, and rinsing several times will remove any remaining detergent. Are the water glass, lining and insulation dry? The jacket can be worn.
Membrane jackets
There is no need to wash membrane items too often. Once after the end of the ski season is enough. Water gradually washes away the special waterproof DWR impregnation. The material does not tolerate detergents containing fluorine, chlorine, or alkali. It doesn't need air conditioning. The membrane does not need to be washed with other and, especially, heavily soiled clothing. White jackets are always washed separately.
IMPORTANT : the porous structure of the membrane quickly becomes clogged with the remains of granular washing powders and dirt. This should be avoided as it is impossible to remove them from the pores.
Jean jacket
Denim is washed at temperatures up to 40 degrees. Hand and machine wash possible. Look for a clue on the product tag. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to keep your item looking like new for a long time. The temperature should not be higher than 40 degrees. The presence of chlorine in the detergent is undesirable.
Before washing, turn the jacket inside out, fasten the buttons and zipper. Amateur washing of a winter denim jacket with a fur lining is carried out according to the instructions on the tag. It is good to add conditioner when rinsing.
Can this be done if there are no balls?
There is a widespread belief that down products must be washed with tennis balls, without which the jacket cannot return its original beauty.
A method that arose two or three decades ago today turns out to be unnecessary and impractical.
Modern washing machines have many operating modes and a flexible system of settings. Thanks to new features, they delicately handle any (natural or artificial) filling, and allow you to answer in the affirmative the question of washing down outerwear without balls.
Automatic washing of a down jacket will not damage the filling if the necessary care is taken . Manufacturers recommend washing your jacket no more than twice a season (to maintain the quality of the filling).
How to wash a polyester jacket
Outerwear with synthetic fillings - padding polyester, holofiber and polyester - can be washed in water at a temperature of +40 to +50 ℃, unless otherwise indicated on the product tag.
It is advisable to use conditioner along with detergent to make the fabric soft and eliminate electrification. To prevent the filler from clumping, place several tennis balls or special laundry balls in the drum.
Choose the delicate or manual mode of operation of the washing unit, with minimum spin speed of the drum (from 400 to 500). The product must be rinsed thoroughly to remove any residual detergent from the filler. Therefore, supplement your wash program with a double rinse option.
Features of caring for Columbia Omni-Heat jackets
Such products are one of the varieties of membrane jackets sewn using Omni-Heat technology developed by Columbia. Contact of this material with water should be minimized, so it is better to wash such products by hand. Hang the jacket over the bathtub on hangers, treat the stains with soapy water, and then rinse with a shower.
Ski membrane jackets Columbia
Wash in an automatic machine at a water temperature of no more than +30 ℃. Choose a manual or delicate wash program with an additional rinse, at a minimum drum speed during spinning.
Dry your jacket on hangers in an upright position.
Preparatory measures
Simple, time-consuming steps will help improve your washing results:
Remove the fur collar and belt with metal buckle (if these parts are present in a particular model). Large metal parts can oxidize and damage the machine drum.- Remove all contents from your pockets - hardly anyone will be happy with a washed bill or flash drive, and small items that fall out can ruin the filter.
- If necessary, wash away heavy stains with laundry soap (usually on the cuffs, collar and hem).
- Fasten buttons, snaps, Velcro and zippers.
- Turn the jacket inside out to protect small parts from damage.
