How to clean a down jacket without washing: an effective method

Frequent washing of a down jacket can negatively affect its ability to keep you warm in cold weather. Therefore, experts recommend cleaning it by hand without fully soaking it in case of minor dirt.

The 5-Minute Crafts publication tells us how to do this. This method is also suitable if you need to remove stains from an item. For example, the usual dirt in the collar, pockets, and cuffs.

What do you need to clean a down jacket without washing it? Prepare the following tools:

• rubber gloves;
• stain remover or cleaning cloths;
• delicate detergent (there are special options for down jackets on the market);
• micellar water;
• cotton pads and sticks;
• a brush;
• a soft lint-free cloth, such as microfiber;
• a basin;
• a hanger.

Why is it better to choose a special product for down jackets? If you have a jacket with down feather as insulation, it is most likely treated with special protective oils. Ordinary soap can wash them off and ruin the item. However, you can also use gels for the care of wool, silk, and other delicate fabrics to wash your down jacket. For difficult stains, you can use a stain remover. However, it should be non-aggressive and chlorine-free. In any case, test the selected products on an inconspicuous area of the fabric, for example, on the strip near the zipper on the inside.

Prepare the down jacket for cleaning

As before washing, remove all items from the pockets and fasten all zippers. Brush the outside of the down jacket with a dry, soft brush to remove dust and small dirt, and then wipe it with a soft, clean cloth. Make sure the garment is free of any dirt, except for the areas around the collar, pockets, and cuffs.

How to properly clean a down jacket

Lay the item out on a clean, flat surface. Put on gloves and first wipe the stains with a damp, soft cloth. After that, you can apply detergent. Lightly rub it in with your finger and leave it on for the time indicated on the bottle. Next, fill a basin with lukewarm water and, rinsing the sponge regularly, gently rinse the detergent from the fabric. Avoid overwetting the item as  water should not get on the fluff. Next, change the water to clean and wipe the treated areas again to make sure there are no streaks. Repeat as many times as necessary until the water in the basin is no longer soapy.

If the sponge fails to remove the stains, use a soft brush. Even a medium-hard toothbrush will do.

Micellar water is suitable for removing cosmetic stains that may appear in the collar area. Its main task is to dissolve cosmetic pigments and fats. The main thing is that it should be free of dyes. Moisten a cotton pad with micellar water and apply it to the stain. Leave it on for a minute and then rub the stain a little. Repeat if necessary.

If your down jacket has decorations such as metal or plastic elements, patches, embroidery, etc., clean the fabric around them, avoiding the decorations themselves. Dirt around embroidery or rhinestones can be removed with a cotton swab. However, do not rub over them as this can damage the decor. Fur elements do not need to be wet at all.

Sometimes you may notice soap stains after cleaning. You can remove them by spraying clean water on the traces of soap from a spray bottle. Lightly wet the surface of the item with it, and then wipe it with a clean, damp, lint-free cloth.

After cleaning, it is best to dry the down jacket on a hanger. Choose a well-ventilated place for this, such as a balcony. You can also shake the jacket from time to time to evenly distribute the filling.

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