Down jackets are a common warm garment in winter, and they are popular because they are filled with down and are light and warm. However, there can be confusion about how to clean and care for down jackets at times. The question of whether a down jacket can be washed in a washing machine depends on factors such as the texture of the down jacket, the filling, the type of washing machine, and the specific cleaning method. Next, I will explain in detail whether a down jacket can be washed in a washing machine and how to clean it properly from different angles.
The first thing to understand is that down jackets are usually filled with duck down or goose down, which are tiny down that has good thermal properties, but is also susceptible to moisture, deformation and compression. Therefore, special care needs to be taken when cleaning down jackets to avoid impairing the warmth of the padding and the overall performance of the garment.
As for whether down jackets can be washed in a washing machine, it is generally recommended to wash them by hand. This is because washing down jackets in a washing machine may cause too much friction and squeezing on the filling, causing the filling to be damaged, deformed, or clumped. In addition, the spinning process of the washing machine may also cause uneven filling of the down jacket, which affects the warmth effect. However, in some specific cases, there are also down jackets that can be washed in the washing machine if a special down bag can be used and a gentle cleaning mode is chosen. Therefore, in general, try to avoid washing down jackets in the washing machine to ensure that the filling and clothing are in good condition.
Secondly, if you choose to wash your down jacket by hand, here are some recommended cleaning steps:
1.Prepare a mild detergent, preferably a dedicated down jacket detergent, which will ensure that it is cleaned without damaging the filling.
2.Put the down jacket in a large basin, fill it with warm water, and add the appropriate amount of detergent. Gently stir the garment to distribute the detergent evenly and avoid squeezing of the filler during the washing process.
3.Hand wash gently: Use your fingers to gently wipe over stains without excessive rubbing. For stubborn stains, spot cleaning can be done with a professional down jacket cleaner.
4.Rinse thoroughly: Rinse the washed down jacket in clean water repeatedly until no detergent remains.
5.Take care to remove moisture: Gently wring out excess moisture and hang or lay flat in a ventilated place to dry naturally. Do not squeeze or twist the down jacket too hard to avoid damaging the filling.
In addition, for down jackets that need to remove odors and restore their fill power, you can choose to put dry down balls or bunched balls in the washing machine for sun dry cleaning. This method can help the down jacket regain its fluffiness, reduce the build-up of filling, and remove odors. When cleaning down jackets, you can also use a water-repellent spray or a maintenance compound to increase its water resistance and durability.
In summary, the cleaning and maintenance of down jackets requires special care and patience to ensure that the padding and the appearance of the garment are not damaged. Although some types of down jackets can be cleaned in a washing machine, it is generally advisable to choose hand washing and avoid the use of strong friction and squeezing.