Which is better - holofiber or Thinsulate, Waltherm or synthetic fluff: comparison of fillers and insulation

Padded jackets have gained particular popularity with the development of textile industry technologies. Often, padding polyester is a collective concept that combines all artificial insulation materials produced by various methods and puts it in contrast to natural materials, that is, down, which is incorrect. In addition, padding polyester is often compared with polyester, which is also not correct. This article will discuss the main types of insulation made from artificial fibers, as well as their properties and characteristics.

When comparing natural and artificial insulation, many people tend to believe that polyester retains heat worse, loses properties and volume during operation, and is also more rigid. However, today the level of production of artificial insulation, depending on the manufacturing and processing technology, allows us to obtain thermal insulation properties that are superior to natural fluff.

What is warmer and better: holofiber or padding polyester, artificial and natural down?

ability to retain heat well, lightness.
Yes, but these same qualities also distinguish artificial materials for filling down jackets! Moreover, sometimes they are even lighter than natural ones, and they retain heat better - at least some.

difficulty of washing;

the need to use waterproof materials for the top and lining;

ability to cause allergies.

This material has many positive properties:

• Light weight
• Excellent thermal conductivity and heat retention ability
• Low price
• Hypoallergenic
• Does not absorb odors
• Not electrified

Synthetic winterizer is not the best insulation, as it gets wet and accumulates moisture. At the same time, the material has a low thermal insulation rate. It is an order of magnitude higher than holofiber.

Natural down is a competitor to holofiber. Products made from it are as warm as possible. But down has one huge drawback - the price. In addition, down gets wet in rainy weather. There are also some difficulties when washing down jackets with natural feathers. If we take into account all these indicators, then holofiber is an ideal option.

Many people get lost in the variety of polyester insulation materials, which have different names. Synthetic down, holofiber, thinsulate - how to distinguish them and not make a mistake when choosing a down jacket or jacket for a child? It is worth finding out the main characteristics of these materials, comparing the pros and cons in order to make an informed choice. What is the difference between the most popular insulation materials on the market?

Elastic holofiber

Holofiber
The developers of holofiber were inspired by the properties of reindeer fur, each fiber of which has a cavity filled with air inside. This feature allows the animal to feel comfortable in the most severe frost. It’s not for nothing that residents of the north use reindeer fur coats everywhere.

Holofiber partially replicates the structure of natural fiber: it also has a cavity inside each fiber. At the same time, synthetic fiber has the advantage that it is not hygroscopic, that is, it almost does not get wet. After washing, the fibers dry quickly and restore their original volume. Thus, washing and drying do not affect the thermal insulation properties of the insulation.

The fibers are thermally bonded together, which makes the material durable. In addition, soldering the threads using high temperatures eliminates the use of glue, which reduces the likelihood of toxicity.

Holofiber has a lot of advantages:

• environmental friendliness – absence of harmful and dangerous substances in the composition;
• strength - thermal bonding allows you to achieve special reliability of the material;
• fungus, microorganisms, and dust mites do not grow in the insulation;
• elasticity – holofiber keeps its shape even after washing;
• flammability resistance;
• wear resistance.

Holofiber also has disadvantages. Among them:

• Low hygroscopicity. This material does not absorb moisture well, which is not always convenient - you can sweat in clothes with this insulation.
• Price. The price of synthetic insulation is low, but holofiber is more expensive than some of them.

Synthetic down

Synthetic down

• Hypoallergenic, environmentally friendly. No toxic materials are used in the production of synthetic fluff. This filling does not accumulate dust, parasites do not grow in it, and microorganisms do not multiply.
• Silicone treatment enhances the water-repellent qualities of this material. If synthetic down gets wet, its thermal insulation properties will remain intact. In clothes with such insulation you can walk in frost down to –30°C.
• Has increased wear resistance. Things with this insulation will last a long time without losing their qualities. Unlike polyester, natural down can penetrate over time through the loose weave of a pillow cover or outerwear fabric.

Thinsulate

• Excellent thermal insulation properties. In this regard, you can use less material to insulate outerwear - things with Thinsulate are very light, warmer than they seem, and do not hinder movement.
• Wear resistance. Products made with this material retain their appearance, shape, and elasticity for a long time, even after regular washing.
• Hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly.
• Easy to care for.

This filler has no critical drawbacks. At the same time, Thinsulate is an artificially created material, and it has all the properties of synthetic fibers. For example, low hygroscopicity is not always preferable, and small volume sometimes makes it difficult to choose the right clothes with this insulation for the weather. If you wear a jacket with Thinsulate, designed for frost, in a warm autumn, overheating is possible.

Another representative of polyester fillers is Valterm. It is not much different from its analogues. This material consists of many microcells in which it is capable of retaining warm air indefinitely. In Russia, Waltherm is less common than holofiber, but its thermal insulation properties are almost the same.

How to properly wash an item by hand so that the filling does not get lost?

If it is not possible to use a machine for washing, then here is the procedure for cleaning the jacket manually:

1. 
   Draw a bath with water at a temperature no higher than 50°. Pour in liquid and dilute. Do not use powder, bleaches, fresheners or other additional detergents. It is worth using a bathtub, since the basin is too small for large outerwear. When washed, the padding polyester inside will inevitably form clumps and the appearance of the product will be ruined.

2. Place the jacket in water and rinse gently. You need to wrinkle clothes very gently, without sudden movements. After this, it is worth draining the water several times and rinsing the product in it. If there are stains that are difficult to remove (for example, greasy), then it is better to wash them in advance with laundry soap or dishwashing detergent.
3. After washing, you need to wring out the product as carefully as possible and hang it over the bathtub to drain the remaining water. Next, lay the jacket horizontally on a straightened towel or leave it to dry in a vertical position.

Sintepon: affordable heat

Synthetic winterizer is a lightweight, elastic, voluminous non-woven synthetic insulation material that has been successfully replacing natural materials such as down, feathers and sheep’s wool for several decades.

The technological process for producing padding polyester is based on bonding polyester fibers into a homogeneous fabric in one of three ways:

1. Adhesive, using a latex composition.
2. Needle-punched - on machines with special equipment.
3. Thermal - under the influence of high temperatures.

The latter method is considered the most effective, since the canvas becomes especially durable and dimensional stable. The insulation obtained as a result of thermal soldering is called Eurosynthepon.

The density scale of padding polyester fabrics is quite large - from 40 to 1500 g/cm3. To insulate various products, they are laid out in layers and fastened together.

Synthetic winterizer is a popular insulation material because it has a number of positive properties:

• light weight compared to wool insulation and batting;
• resistance to various deformations;
• high thermal insulation qualities;
• low hygroscopicity;
• low melting point.

The undoubted advantage of padding polyester is the low cost of production, which makes all products with it affordable in price.

However, padding polyester also has negative qualities, and very significant ones:

• the use of adhesive compositions makes the insulation unsafe for the body, since, when destroyed during washing, glue particles can cause allergic reactions;
• during the washing process, the synthetic fibers form clumps, which are very difficult to “fluff”;
• the material does not allow air to pass through well, so synthetic coats and jackets are not suitable for particularly low temperatures - you can freeze in them;
• padding polyester fibers are able to “migrate” and seep through the outer fabric, giving clothes an unkempt and unpresentable appearance;
• Very often, second-grade raw materials are used for the production of synthetic winterizer, which significantly reduces both the quality and service life of the products.

However, synthetic winterizer still remains one of the most popular insulating materials used in many industries.

Scope of application

Due to its operational and heat-saving characteristics, as well as the optimal price-quality ratio, synthetic winterizer is used:

• in the production of upholstered furniture as a layer in sofas, armchairs, poufs and other products;
• for sewing sleeping bags, tents and various camping equipment;
• in the footwear industry for insulation of quilted winter boots;
• when sewing outerwear - children's and adult jackets, coats, overalls;
• as a filler for blankets, mattresses and pillows;
• in construction – for insulating individual elements of buildings.

Product care

Compliance with the rules of care for things insulated with padding polyester will significantly extend their service life and maintain their original appearance.

1. It is best to wash by hand using liquid detergents that do not contain chlorine.
2. You cannot soak clothes or bedding with padding polyester.
3. When washing in a machine, you need to select a mode for delicate laundry. The water temperature should not exceed 400C.
4. Synthetic winterizers cannot be twisted. Clothes are hung loosely on hangers and allowed to drain.
5. During machine washing, the spin and dry modes must be turned off.
6. If clothes need ironing, then this must be done carefully: set the iron regulator to minimum heat and iron through a cotton cloth.

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Light as a feather

The myth about heavy down jackets was born in the 90s, when low-quality Chinese products with chopped feathers inside were sold on the domestic market. It was both cold and heavy in them. If the jacket is heavy, this means that it does not contain down, but mainly feathers. Moreover, the pen is bad and, most likely, unwashed.

Comparing the weight of two jackets with different types of fillings, one can come to only one conclusion: if the product is of high quality, then its weight is small. This applies to both down and polyester.

Holofiber: warm and fluffy

difficulty of washing;

Fibers have the ability to retain heat by trapping warm air heated by the human body. The material treated with adhesives does not absorb water and is strongly blown by the wind.

Important! Sintepon does not retain heat well. Products sewn with a lining made of this material are suitable for winter with temperatures not lower than −5 degrees. Coats with padding stitch are blown by the wind.

Synthetic jacket

There is a significant difference between padding polyester and holofiber. The latter has the same heat-insulating qualities as natural wool and down. Things with such filling are suitable for winters in central Russia. At the same time, things allow air to pass through and allow the body to “breathe.”

Both fillers are superior in their ability to warm a person than the non-woven material Thinsulate, invented in the USA. For a long time, filler was used only in the manufacture of special clothing for space researchers. Thinsulate is small lumps consisting of thin, spiral-twisted fibers connected into a single substance. Not all seamstresses can distinguish white fluffy lumps from the usual holofiber.

Thinsulate
Translated from English, “holofiber” means “hollow fiber”. Indeed, this innovative material consists of thin polyester fibers with air inside. It is its presence both outside and inside that provides the wonderful warming qualities for which this material is famous.

Each holofiber fiber is twisted into such a tight spring that it seems like a small ball. In general, the mass of insulation resembles a fluffy snowdrift or an air cloud.

The method for producing holofiber was developed and patented in 2005 by Moscow, which produces several types of material:

• non-woven fabric - often used for the manufacture of outerwear;
• slabs of various thicknesses - used in construction for insulating structures, as well as in furniture production;
• Balls are an indispensable filler for pillows, blankets and mattresses.

Even at the manufacturing stage, holofiber fibers are subjected to sterilization, so in future use they can withstand not only numerous washes, but also hot steam treatment and even boiling.

Another modern insulating material, Thinsulate, has similar characteristics. The difference between it and holofiber is that Thinsulate is similar in its properties to natural swan or eider down - just as weightless and warm.

Characteristics

In terms of performance characteristics, holofiber resembles high-quality cotton, but unlike it, synthetic material is much more resistant to abrasion, does not bunch up and does not lose its original shape.

In addition, holofiber has the following qualities:

• high level of heat and sound insulation;
• breathability;
• increased elasticity and softness;
• resistance to numerous deformations;
• hypoallergenic and safe;
• high elasticity;
• no static electricity.

Holofiber is not susceptible to rotting, mold, pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms, does not accumulate odors, and therefore is an indispensable material in bedrooms and children's rooms.

Where is it used?

Many different products are produced under the “holofiber” brand. The most common areas of use of this insulation are:

• sewing outerwear - jackets, coats, overalls, raincoats;
• production of pillows, blankets and mattresses;
• production of upholstered furniture;
• filling children's toys;
• insulation of buildings under construction;
• filtration of air systems.

In addition, holofiber fabric is even used in the aviation and space industries.

Jackets and coats with holofiber are as warm as down jackets, and these products are much easier to care for. It is enough to remember a few simple rules.

1. Holofiber can be washed by hand or in a machine; pre-soaking of the products is not required.
2. You can use machine spinning at low speeds and drying in a centrifuge.
3. Holofiber tolerates cleaning well with any chemical means.
4. After drying, shake the clothes vigorously to give them their original appearance.
5. Ironing is not used for holofiber products.

Jackets and down jackets

Outerwear is selected depending on climatic conditions. At temperatures above -20 °C, down will be the best filler in a down jacket or jacket. Able to retain heat and protect from cold at sub-zero temperatures. However, clothing is large, so it is difficult to drive a car or engage in winter sports in down-filled products.

Synthetic insulation in this case will be the best solution. Clothing made from synthetic padding retains heat at -15 °C and allows you to move quickly due to its comfort and minimal weight. Thin padding polyester is suitable for the off-season. The products are priced lower than natural materials, and you can choose any color and design.

Before choosing padding polyester or down for the winter, the scope of activity and weather conditions in the region are determined.

Baby clothes

It is advisable to use safe clothing for the child. If the baby does not yet walk, but constantly sits in a stroller without moving, then preference is given to insulated jackets and overalls. Down filling will be a good solution, as it can allow air to pass through, creating comfortable conditions. With proper use, clothes will remain in good condition for a long time.

For children prone to allergies, it is better to choose synthetic materials. A multi-layered way to dress a child when using overalls made of padding polyester is the best option. In such outerwear, the baby will be warm and comfortable to move around. Children's clothing tends to get dirty often. Synthetic insulation is durable and can be washed at home. To look neat, padding polyester is a better solution than down.

Women's clothing

When choosing insulation in overalls for women, conditions and lifestyle are taken into account. It is permissible to use down with feathers or padding polyester. If you have to work in one place for a long time in severe frosts, then using down will be the right solution . Natural materials provide better warmth, but such clothes look bulkier. For active women, synthetic clothing is the best option. But it is necessary to take into account that this material does not allow air to pass through.

Let's talk about laundry

Fluff tends to bunch up and penetrate through holes in the seams, which negatively affects the performance of your unit.

If the fabrics from which the top and lining are made are not of very high quality, the fluff will also escape through the holes in the weaves. Important! Before turning on the machine, you need to put your jacket or coat in a special bag - then the fluff will cause much less harm.

After the jacket is washed, you will have to lay it out on a horizontal surface. If you try to dry it on a line or even a hanger, all the filler will end up at the bottom or in the corners. This, of course, is not a problem that will ruin your life forever. But after the product has dried, you will have to evenly distribute what is inside it and tap your favorite thing with the most ordinary carpet beater.

Important! In expensive models, the natural down is in special bags; it does not bunch up as intensively, but you will still have to dry the products on the floor and pat them down.

Small red spots

Another consumer myth says: “Synthetics are a terrible allergen, but down and feathers are a natural product.”

Roskachestvo experts object: polyester is also hypoallergenic. Allergies or irritation can be caused by fiber ends that penetrate the lining and come into contact with the skin. But this is a question of the quality of the product as a whole, the quality of the lining, and not the polyester itself. Each insulation, before entering the product, undergoes textile preparation. The down is washed many times, odors and waste products of birds are removed from it. If this is not done, harmful microorganisms and parasites will remain in the feather and down material, which will bring a person much more problems than allergies. Regarding poor preparation of synthetic material, but the fiber is formed and wetted using chemicals, which are then removed. Not removing them is like not rinsing the fluff.

When properly processed, both fillers are safe for health. If it’s bad, both are dangerous.

Caring for synthetic insulation

Modern synthetic materials make it possible even for people with a modest budget to dress beautifully, comfortably and modernly. This also applies to down jackets.

they can retain heat better;

some of them allow you to feel comfortable, even if a thaw suddenly sets in after the morning frost;

they are easy to wash and dry;

many of them do not go astray over time, so there is no need to pat clothes;

among artificial fillers there are those that can last for decades.

padding polyester;

synthetic fluff;

isosoft;

holofiber;

Thinsulate.

New materials appear every year, so don't be surprised if you see a different name on the label. But so far these remain the most popular.

Synthetic items do not tolerate hot water well. They cannot be ironed. If necessary, they are treated with steam. To avoid unnecessary ironing, during the process of sewing blankets and blanket-type bedspreads, the fabrics must be ironed.

According to the technology, the parts of the products are sewn face to face and then turned inside out. The edges of a half-finished item cannot be ironed, otherwise the internal synthetic filler under the influence of high temperatures will wrinkle and lose volume.

The edges of blankets and bedspreads are swept along the entire perimeter, and then ground down with a finishing stitch.

Products are stuffed with filler

All options are good

A down jacket made from synthetic down differs from just down. The difference is that it is warm, elastic and lightweight, environmentally friendly. Therefore, this is the best option for allergy sufferers. The advantages of synthetic padding fillers are that such down jackets look very elegant, and they are also very light and easy to wash and dry. They are warm and comfortable in the off-season, as well as in light winter frosts. Well, for those who prefer everything natural, of course, the best option is a jacket filled with down and feathers.

Ideally, it is better to have three down jackets: for the off-season, mild winter and severe frosts. If their insulation consists of different materials, you will see from personal experience which one is preferable for you.

For information on the features of fillers for winter jackets, see the following video.

Holofiber: what temperature and weather is it designed for?

Now there is a huge amount of outerwear with holofiber on the market. This is due to the low price. A down jacket costs one and a half times cheaper than a natural one. At the same time, it is not inferior in quality. Before answering about temperature standards, it is worth deciding on the density of the filler. The minimum operating temperature also depends on this figure.

Temperature standards:

• Density 100 g/sq.m. — from 10°С to 5°С
• Density 150 g/sq.m. — from 5°С to -10°С
• Density 200 g/sq.m. — from -10°С to -20°С
• Density 300 g/sq.m. – from -20°С to -30°С

Activewear

Separately, it is worth noting jackets for active recreation. Not only the choice of filler, but also its quality is of great importance. Professional athletes mainly choose down, but its content must be at least 90 to 10 in relation to feather. Such clothing remains light, warm and does not restrict movement. If you prefer synthetic winterizer, then it is important that the fabric is dense. A membrane that allows you to use a minimum of insulation, creating the effect of a thermos, is perfect. A person is not hot in a warm room and not cold outside at sub-zero temperatures. The combination of well-chosen fabric ensures comfort regardless of the weather. And the weight turns out to be no more than that of a high-quality down jacket.

Video. Since it’s a very cold winter now, I suggest watching a video on how to stay warm in winter.

Isosoft

very small mass;

the ability to wash in any convenient way;

durability.

Important! Isosoft is lighter than padding polyester, and even more so than natural fluff. It perfectly repels moisture, so the jacket will not get wet even in very heavy rain. When you put on a thin down jacket with this filling for the first time, you will be very pleasantly surprised - even in severe frost it will not be cold in it. You can wash the product as you wish - manually, in an automatic machine, and even in an activator unit without any additional protection. The jacket will dry very quickly and in any position.

does not lose shape;

does not lose volume;

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does not clump together.

Important! This perfection has only one drawback - it costs almost the same as an eiderdown down jacket from a good manufacturer.

What is the difference between padding polyester and holofiber

In principle, the material is made from the same fiber, but using different technologies. Sintepon is a type of silicone fiber, like holofiber, but all the fibers in it are glued. In holofiber, the threads are connected to each other by soldering at high temperatures without the use of glue. There is emptiness inside the fibers, which makes the material light and very warm. Thus, holofiber is much lighter and warmer than padding polyester.

It is not always clear to consumers what is better: padding polyester or holofiber. The latter is a material that looks like small lumps of cotton wool and poplar fluff. Adhesion between individual fibers is achieved through thermal action.

Holofiber

The industry produces synthetic winterizer in the form of layers with a thickness of 1.5 to 15 cm. The thickness of the material intended for the manufacture of warm clothing is 1.5-2 cm. Blankets are sewn from fabrics of greater thickness with a width of 2.2 m. Sold by the meter.

Both types of nonwoven materials are made from synthetic raw materials. Sintepon is produced longer than holofiber. Its manufacturing technology is based on gluing polyester fibers. Holofiber lumps consist of twisted fibers in the form of miniature springs.

Recycled waste is used to produce padding polyester. Glue is used to glue the fibers together. All together affects the environmental friendliness of the material.

Sintepon

Note! Frequent washing is contraindicated for sintepon; under the influence of water, the material is destroyed and deformed. During the operation of the finished product, individual sections of the padding polyester fabric cake and lose their quality. Therefore, padding polyester stitch is used for the lining.

Holofiber does not wrinkle; after compression, it quickly takes its previous shape. Washing does not in any way affect the quality and wear resistance of this material. The filler is sold by weight. It is easy to distinguish both materials by appearance and touch.

Synthetic stitch

Thinsulate

the warmest;

the thinnest;

the easiest;

easy to wash;

does not get into clumps;

dries very quickly;

does not react with the environment;

does not cause allergies;

does not absorb odors.

the body can overheat even in cold weather;

static charge accumulates.

Important! Ideal for regions with very harsh winters. True, it is not cheap, but it will serve for many years, despite the fact that you can wash it every day - it will not lose its shape and volume.

What is synthetic fluff?

Synthetic down is an artificial non-woven insulation created on the basis of polyesters. It consists of many tiny polyester fibers, each of which has hollow spaces filled with air. This structure gives the material lightness, water resistance and thermal insulation qualities.

Pillows are also stuffed with synthetic down.

There are several types of insulation depending on the linear density. They can be distinguished from each other by marks on the thickness (from D7 to D15) and length (3.2-3.6 cm) of the villi.

The characteristics of synthetic down resemble natural down.

Due to its properties, synthetic fluff is used in many areas.

1. Density. The insulation fibers are quite strong, resistant to moisture and heat. Therefore, the material does not lose shape and volume after washing or manual processing.
2. Water resistance. This quality is ensured by artificial silicone impregnation. Thanks to it, the material repels moisture, preventing it from penetrating inside, and dries faster after washing.
3. Ability to keep in shape. The insulation fibers are smooth and difficult to tangle or crumple. Therefore, the material is resistant to deformation and quickly restores its shape, which is especially useful when stuffing blankets, pillows, soft toys, etc.
4. Thermal insulation. In the structure of synthetic down you can find a large number of hollow spaces filled with air, due to which the material provides thermal insulation. The air gaps are extremely small, and water cannot penetrate into them, due to which this property is maintained even when wet.

The exact characteristics of the material depend on the length and thickness of the pile. Insulation with long fibers is softer but less durable, so it is often used to fill pillows and blankets. Material with thick pile holds its shape better, but is characterized by increased rigidity, which is why it cannot fill all the narrow spaces in the printed part.

Due to the hypoallergenic nature of the material, it is actively used in the production of bedding.

1. Ecological cleanliness. Synthetic fluff is completely safe for the environment; no harmful substances or reagents are used in its production.
2. Safety. Unlike natural down, artificial insulation is completely hypoallergenic. Dust does not accumulate in it. Additional antibacterial treatment prevents the formation of fungus, and antistatic treatment prevents the accumulation of electricity. All this makes synthetic down a good material for sewing products for children, pregnant women, allergy sufferers and the sick.
3. Breathability. The presence of air cavities not only helps to retain heat better, but also allows clothes to breathe, so they do not irritate the skin. In addition, air circulation allows faux down items to dry faster and stay wet longer.
4. Weather resistant. Like natural down, its synthetic counterpart does not lose its warming and protective properties even in extreme conditions. The material retains thermal insulation characteristics at temperatures down to -30 °C and wind speeds of 15 m/sec.
5. Ability to maintain shape. Unlike its natural counterpart, synthetic fluff never clumps. It does not shrink after washing and quickly regains its shape when stretched or compressed.
6. Easy to care for. The material is unpretentious and withstands both dry cleaning and hand and machine washing. Products with it have an unlimited service life, unlike things with natural down.
7. Odor resistance. The filler is wrapped in a silicone coating, which prevents the absorption of foreign odors.
8. Ease. Most of the insulation is occupied by air gaps, so it is light in weight and does not weigh down clothing.
9. Comfort. Soft, fluffy synthetic fleece is pleasant to the touch. Products made from it are comfortable to wear on the body and use in everyday life.
10. Low price. The material is cheaper than natural down and has similar or superior characteristics.

The only drawback of artificial insulation is that it does not withstand too frequent washing. They lead to a rapid loss of the thermal insulation properties of the filler.

Synthetic fluff does not tolerate frequent washing.

• the seal is made without formaldehyde, glue and other potentially toxic materials, so it does not emit anything even when stored in unsuitable conditions;
• the insulation contains no dyes, fragrances or other harmful substances;
• the structure of the fibers allows the material not to irritate human skin even with direct contact;
• Synthetic fluff does not cause allergies or other intolerance reactions;
• the insulation fibers are treated with an antibacterial compound, so fungus and mold do not appear on it when wet;
• Unlike natural fillers, synthetic down cannot serve as a home for parasites such as bedbugs and dust mites - its structure is too dense, and chemical treatment additionally repels insects.

The safety of synthetic fluff has been confirmed by numerous tests. Therefore, it is widely used in the production of children's clothing, bedding, toys, etc.

Where is it used?

Synthetic down is used as insulation and sealant.

Due to its price, synthetic fluff is a favorite filler for toys.

Main areas of application:

• production of winter and demi-season clothing: warm hats, mittens, jackets, coats, down jackets, raincoats, etc.;
• insulation of sleeping and decorative pillows and blankets;
• stuffing upholstered furniture, sealing protective covers for it;
• production of mattresses, backs, seats, sides, armrests;
• compaction and insulation of items of tourist equipment (sleeping bags, tents, etc.);
• sewing carpets;
• stuffing toys;
• needlework.

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In addition to the textile and furniture industries, synthetic fluff is often used in construction. Gaskets made from it help enhance the heat and sound insulation of walls, floors, and ceilings. In addition, air filters and similar parts are made from the material.

Sintepon differs from synthetic down in the structure of its fibers. They are made entirely of polyester and do not contain air gaps. In addition, recycled products and adhesive emulsion are used in the production of padding polyester.

There are different types of synthetic fibers.

This explains the main differences between the material:

• synthetic winterizer can be harmful to the body due to the content of glue and esters;
• the material has a shorter service life;
• when wet, it quickly loses its shape, therefore it is not suitable for wearing in rain and snow, and is also poorly resistant to washing and loses its thermal insulation qualities after several cleanings;
• due to the lack of air spaces, synthetic winterizer retains heat worse (it can withstand cold down to -15 °C compared to -25...-30 °C for synthetic down);
• the material is flimsy, easily crumples when washed, and is poorly resistant to deformation;
• synthetic winterizer has poor breathability, so it easily absorbs odors and does not allow the skin under clothing to breathe;
• the material is poorly resistant to temperatures and can only withstand gentle washing, so it is more difficult to care for products made from it;
• synthetic fibers are less durable - the fibers often come off, forming lumps and getting tangled.

The only advantage of padding polyester is its low price. It is considered an obsolete material, so it is practically not used in the manufacture of high-quality clothing.

The only difference between the materials is the production technology. Holofiber fibers are twisted into balls, and synthetic fluff into springs.

This explains the difference in the quality of insulation:

• holofiber is less resistant to heat and moisture, therefore it requires gentle washing and is more difficult to care for;
• holofiber is heavier and denser than synthetic down, which is why it is more often used in construction and industry, but less often in clothing;
• Synthetic fluff costs a little more due to more complex manufacturing technology;
• Holofiber retains dirt and dust better due to its denser structure, which makes it possible to use it in the manufacture of filters.

Unlike padding polyester, holofiber is similar in characteristics to synthetic down and can compete with it. The choice of material depends on the purpose of its use.

Rules for caring for products made from synthetic down:

1. The material can be machine and hand washed. It can withstand temperatures up to 90 °C. When cleaning items of clothing made from several types of fabric, you need to choose the appropriate mode for the most sensitive and delicate of them.
2. Large, bulky items (jackets, coats, raincoats) must be washed separately.
3. You need to check the fabric and lining for holes and loose seams. If they are present, the product can only be washed on a gentle cycle at a temperature of 30... 40 °C to prevent further damage.
4. Areas particularly susceptible to contamination (sleeves, collar, hem, cuffs) should be treated with a cleaning agent before washing. This will increase its efficiency and allow you to clean your clothes less often.
5. After finishing washing, clothes with synthetic fluff should be fluffed up with your hands, straightened and hung on hangers or a hanger. This way, excess water will quickly drain from it, deforming the material. It is advisable to dry things naturally at room temperature.
6. After drying and spinning, it is advisable to rinse the products by hand so that there are no streaks or stains from the powder left on them.
7. You can iron clothes at temperatures up to 100 °C.

You can store things with synthetic down in any conditions. They do not lose their shape even after being packed in a vacuum bag.

As the name suggests, this filler is similar in structure to down, and in properties - to synthetic fillers. This is really fluff, that is, a bulky mass, but it consists of artificial fibers. The fibers spring back and intertwine, resulting in a fairly dense structure that provides good thermal insulation.

What is in synthetic fluff?

We gradually approached the consideration of another material that is used to insulate winter jackets. If we think logically, then judging by the unusual two-root word it may seem that this is a material that consists of padding polyester and down - a combination of two classic materials in one insulation. However, the correct name for modern artificial insulation is synthetic down. Down, but artificial, but its thermal characteristics are very similar to the real thing.

Down on the tags of down jackets is designated by the word down. The addition of feather means adding feathers to the down. The word intelligentdown means that the insulation combines down and synthetic filling. The designation cotton or polyester warns that cotton wool, batting or padding polyester was used for insulation.

Synthetic fluff consists of a large number of polyester fibers. Like natural fluff, the fibers have cavities. It is this air in the microtubules that helps retain heat. The material is environmentally friendly, without harmful impurities. In addition, thanks to the use of silicone in its production, it is elastic and very elastic. Fibers impregnated with silicone emulsion are twisted into a spiral. When pressed and crumpled, it easily returns to its original form.

Clothes using synthetic down insulation are warm, light, fluffy and airy. A distinctive advantage over real down is that synthetic down does not form into dense clumps from washing and prolonged wear.

Synthetic down, just like down and feather fillings, easily “breathes” and perfectly allows air to pass through, while retaining heat at the same time. Feathers will never come out of a synthetic down jacket; water flows off it “like off a goose” and dries quickly.

For washing, you can use dry cleaning services, but it is not at all difficult to wash a synthetic down jacket at home. It is very comfortable to wear.

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Is it possible and how to wash holofiber in a washing machine?

Large items are difficult to wash at home. In jackets and coats, the sleeves, collars, and pocket trim are the first to become dirty. These areas are periodically cleaned with a cotton pad soaked in ammonia.

Important! Outerwear is washed only if there is no icon prohibiting this manipulation on the label sewn into the stitching of the product.

When the jacket becomes very dirty, it is better to take it to the dry cleaner. Only light and semi-light items that can be placed in the drum can be machine washed. The mode is set to the one recommended by the manufacturer.

Items sewn at home are washed on the “synthetic” cycle. You can put two rubber balls in the drum along with your outerwear.

Washing jackets

Sintepon and holofiber are easy to wash. Sometimes it is enough to lather up the stains and soak the blanket in a soapy solution. For children's products, special powders are used that do not cause allergic reactions. For other things, washing gels are suitable. The composition is dissolved in water before the jacket is placed in the container.

Large bulky items are usually dry cleaned. Washing them at home is difficult. A thick blanket does not fit into the washing machine drum. When washing by hand, the product is difficult to wring out by hand.

How to wash blankets
Semi-thin blankets are folded into a neat bundle and placed in the washing machine. The mode is set regardless of the type of external fabric from which the outer and lining covers of the product are made. The regulator knob is set to “synthetic” mode with spin.

Expensive, beautiful blanket-type bedspreads cannot be wrung out; after twisting, creases appear on them, which require a steam generator to iron. You can iron out wrinkles and folds with a steam iron. This is a labor-intensive process: the item is laid out on the bed, and holding the iron suspended, each 20-30 cm of the fabric surface is processed alternately.

When washing by hand, when it is difficult to lift a blanket swollen with water for spinning, it is placed at a slight angle in the bathtub and the excess liquid is allowed to drain. After this, pressing with force with your hands alternately on different parts of the product, you gradually get rid of the water. To finish drying the blanket, hang it on a rope outside the room. It cannot be placed on a dryer in the room due to the large amount of water that flows from it onto the floor.

Handwash

With pillows everything is simpler; they are placed in a drum and set to “synthetic” mode with a spin cycle. After washing, almost dry bedding remains to be hung at one or two corners on a rope.

Nonwoven materials for sewing warm clothes are selected taking into account the purpose of the finished product. If there will be frequent washings, it is more profitable to purchase fillers that are more resistant to water. Children's clothes are sewn only using materials that do not provoke allergic reactions in the child.

Yes, products made from this filler can be safely machine washed. In this case, it is worth taking into account the features of the upper fabric. After all, holofiber can be washed even at a temperature of 80 °C. But due to the fact that down jackets are dyed and made of raincoats, the optimal washing temperature is 40 °C. At the same time, the products can be wrung out, because holofiber straightens out perfectly after washing and spinning. It doesn't need to be shaken off like fluff.

You can wash not only down jackets, but also blankets, pillows and bedspreads with holofiber. These are the products that can get dirty. Only now there is no need to take them to dry cleaning. You can wash it yourself in a washing machine.

Holofiber is an excellent filler that will serve as an excellent alternative to natural fluff. It's just as warm, but much cheaper.

Wide range of applications for synthetic down

• home textiles (as filler for pillows and blankets);
• furniture production (as a filler for upholstered furniture);
• children's goods (as stuffing for soft toys and decorative items for children's rooms);
• production of outerwear (as insulation);
• production of tourist equipment, goods for sports and active recreation.