Step by step – How to wash a puffer jacket in the washing machine?
1. The first and most important step in washing a winter jacket yourself is to choose the right detergent for washing down products. Once you have found the right detergent, you can proceed to the next point, which is to prepare the jacket for washing.
2. To do this, be sure to turn the jacket inside out, fastening its pockets and zipper beforehand. This is all to ensure that the jacket does not accidentally get damaged during washing.
3. It is also a good idea to soak the jacket in lukewarm water to remove air from the down. This will prevent the down from moving around inside the jacket during spinning. Many skip this part of the instructions, which sometimes results in deformation of the filling.
4. At this stage it is also advisable to wash any stains by hand. It is also a good idea to carry out this activity with a special liquid for washing down, never with ordinary powder or washing liquid.
5. The final step is to set the washing programme. For puffer jackets, it is recommended to wash at a low temperature, i.e. 30 or 40°C with a spin speed of no more than 600 rpm. If you can’t set your washing machine according to such guidelines, choose the delicate mode, which washes silk and wool. To prevent natural down from clumping, throw a few rubber balls into the drum of the washing machine.
For a jacket with synthetic fillings, it is simple – just wash it with a detergent designed for this type of garment, do not use ‘standard’ detergents, choose a delicate mode and low temperature. Always pay attention to the garment manufacturer’s recommendations on the label. Regardless of the filling, it is worth remembering that winter jackets do not like company in the washing machine and are best washed solo.
Drying a puffer jacket
When you have finished washing and unlocked the washing machine door, you may be alarmed by what you see. Your jacket, although clean and fragrant, may have become as thin as a T-shirt. However, this is no reason to panic! Your puffer jacket will return to its original form, provided you dry it according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Dry the jacket at room temperature, and necessarily, horizontally, by placing it, for example, on a clothes dryer. Hanging a wet puffer jacket is a harbinger of disaster. In the upright position, the down clumps together, forming lumps that are difficult to break up later.
To prevent this from happening, it is a good idea to turn the jacket over and shake it out from time to time. Gentle knocks will make the filling return to its original volume and the jacket will be fluffy again. We also warn against drying jackets on a radiator or using a fan for this purpose. High temperatures, both in washing and drying, are bad for the outer fabric and filling, so rooms with good air circulation are definitely sufficient for drying the fabric. Admittedly, it then takes about 24 hours to dry the jacket, but it is worth the wait for a great result.
How do you wash synthetic furs and winter coats?
For synthetic furs and thick coats, the guidelines are the same as when washing down jackets. When drying, you can also shake the material several times. This will allow it to return to its original form more quickly and gain volume.
How do you wash membrane jackets?
In the case of jackets with a membrane, we follow – as in other cases – the manufacturer’s recommendations, washing them at a temperature not exceeding 40°C. However, there are three things to bear in mind. Firstly, do not soak the jacket before washing it, as you would do with a puffer jacket, and secondly, do not use detergents containing lanolin or softeners. It is best to use specialised detergents designed for washing clothes with membranes or very delicate ones, such as washing liquids for children’s clothes. Thirdly, a jacket with a membrane should not be spun – and this applies to both washing and drying.
It is that much and as much! By following the instructions above, you will make your favourite jacket, synthetic fur coat or woollen winter coat as good as new.
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