Overalls are rightfully considered the most comfortable and practical outerwear for children. It provides freedom of action for the child, perfectly protects from wind and moisture, is easy to put on, and, most importantly, is suitable for any age. But, like other children's outdoor clothes, the overalls get dirty and need to be washed periodically.
Cleaning outerwear is not easy: washing children's overalls in the washing machine is scary, but washing them by hand is too troublesome. We want to argue with the first one by telling you everything about safe machine washing of overalls.
Is it safe to use the machine?
It is not difficult to understand whether the overalls can be washed in the washing machine - just look at the label sewn to the back. It provides all the necessary information from the manufacturer: composition and optimal cleaning conditions. As a rule, there are no restrictions on machine washing of children's outerwear. This will be indicated by the corresponding icon - an image of a basin with water and degrees.
Before cleaning the children's overalls, carefully study the manufacturer's label - it should indicate permission for machine or hand washing.
If the basin is crossed out, then machine washing is prohibited - the product must be cleaned dry only. In this case, it is better not to risk it and immediately take the item to the dry cleaner. Sometimes on the label of the overalls there is a hand-cleaning icon, a hand dipped into the water. But there is no categoricalness here: loading an automatic washing machine into the drum is allowed, however, with the choice of a program for delicate fabrics, silk, wool or down.
How to wash membrane clothes in a washing machine
Special means
A special membrane cleaner is best suited for washing. It can be purchased at any sports store or in the same place where the jacket was purchased. Manufacturers are developing the most gentle formula for cleaning fabric without damaging it.
If it is not possible to use such a product, then we can advise you to take any washing gel in capsules or even liquid soap. The main thing is that it has a non-aggressive composition, which can damage the structure of the material. Make sure that the composition does not indicate the content of chlorine or conditioner, as, for example, in “Laska”. Such substances can worsen the water-repellent properties of outerwear - they become an order of magnitude colder and get wet faster.
What happens if the membrane is washed with regular powder?
The outer layer, designed to repel water, will not be damaged, but small particles of powder will clog into microperforations in the material, and it will stop “breathing.” In simple terms, you will start to sweat under your jacket, although this should not happen. If you want to preserve all the properties of the item, do not wash it with ordinary powder, so as not to erase all the advantages of membrane outerwear.
If there is just a small dirty stain on the item, it is not necessary to do a lot of washing because of this, because the clothes will still need to be dried and ironed, and this is a rather labor-intensive process. If it is not the end of the season, when the jacket needs to be washed and put away until next winter, then you can simply gently rub off the dirt with a brush. Most likely, there will be no trace left of the stain.
Prepare the item
Once you are sure that the overalls will survive machine washing, you can begin the procedure. But you can’t immediately load the item into the drum: first you need to prepare it for the upcoming cleaning. We are talking about the following manipulations:
- check your pockets, take out everything unnecessary;
- fasten all zippers, snaps, buttons and Velcro;
- remove removable decorative elements, edges, laces, key rings;
- unfasten the lining (it is washed separately);
- shake off the dust;
- turn inside out.
Before washing, we always check the pockets of the down jacket - forgotten items can clog the machine and even cause the equipment to break down.
If there are stains on the winter overalls, they must be cleaned with laundry soap or stain remover before washing. Next, we place the item in a special protective bag and load it into the washing drum.
If there is not enough dirt
Down jackets and overalls filled with waterfowl down (indicated as down on the labels) require the most delicate care.
Therefore, if there are only a few stains, it is better to try to remove them manually. Apply a small amount of shampoo or soap to the stained areas with laundry soap. Rub with your hands or a brush. Rinse off the foam with clean warm water using a cloth. In principle, you can refresh an entire down jacket in the same way if it is not too dirty. Hang it over the bathtub, lather thoroughly and immediately rinse off the soap with a shower. This water procedure will not allow the down to get completely wet, even if the fabric of the overalls does not have water-repellent properties.
We use technology
In order for cleaning in the automatic washing machine to take place without unpleasant surprises, you need to set the cycle correctly. First of all, we choose a suitable program, which should be as gentle as possible. Thus, the “Hand Wash”, “Delicate Wash”, “Wool” and “Silk” modes are perfect.
The second step is to check the set parameters. Children's overalls are washed when:
- temperature 30-36 degrees;
- minimum or disabled spin;
- abundant rinsing;
- adding a delicate liquid detergent (without bleaching or aggressive ingredients).
Children's overalls can be washed on a delicate cycle with water heated to 36 degrees.
After the end of the program, the item is removed from the drum and sent to dry. The suit is dried naturally in a horizontal position in a ventilated area away from heating devices and the sun. A special impregnation must be applied to a dry product, which will prevent re-contamination of the fabric.
Membrane overalls
For our climate zone, this is an ideal option that allows you not to freeze even in the most severe frosts. The special structure of the fabric is developed using technology that allows the fabric to “breathe”, provide waterproofness and 100% protection from wind. This way, the child will not sweat and will not freeze.
The advantage is not only protecting the child from the cold. Membrane fabric is very easy to care for. Even severe stains can be easily washed off with plain water, and washing will be needed extremely rarely, only for very severe stains, usually a wet sponge is sufficient. Unfortunately, there were some downsides. If washing is necessary, you will have to buy special cleaning products, since ordinary powders will not work.
We take into account the material of manufacture
The nuances of washing children's winter overalls depend on its composition. If down is used as insulation, the product is washed in the same mode. It is also important to place two tennis balls in the drum to prevent the filling from becoming deformed. Spinning down jackets is not recommended; it is better to do it with a gentle manual push-up.
If the lining of the overalls is made of sheepskin, then it is better to refuse machine washing and give preference to dry cleaning. Wool is a very capricious material, and if not cared for properly, it shrinks and crumples irrevocably. In rare cases, woolen items can be washed in a machine, but with basic precautions: minimum spin, cold water and manual program.
To wash overalls made from membrane fabric, you need special detergents without chlorine or bleaches.
When washing a suit made from membrane fabrics, it is important to choose a suitable detergent. We need special gels that can preserve and improve the properties of breathable fabric without clogging the pores and layers. Regular laundry soap will also work. The main thing is not to use compositions based on chlorine and other bleaches, as aggressive components destroy the structure of the material. The rest of the cycle parameters are the same: delicate mode, prohibited soaking and disabled spin.
The easiest way to wash overalls is with synthetic padding polyester and holofiber - these fillers withstand rotation in the drum very well. But it is better not to heat the water above 40 degrees and refuse automatic spinning.
Handwash
Before washing by hand, carry out all the preparatory work with the overalls, after which you can proceed.
- Fill a basin with lukewarm water and add detergent or powder and mix.
- Place the overalls in a container with soapy water and wash them, but do not scrub them too hard.
- Rinse your outerwear thoroughly to remove any remaining detergent.
- Place the overalls on a horizontal surface to drain off excess liquid, and remove any remaining moisture using a terry towel, wrapping the product in it.
- Dry the item, straighten the fur with your hands or comb it with a comb to return it to its original appearance.
If the sheepskin has turned yellow and needs bleaching, use starch
Sheepskin overalls
It is recommended to wash winter overalls made with sheepskin by hand. To do this, prepare a mixture - mix grated laundry soap (50 g) and 1 tablespoon of soda. Rub the resulting product onto the pre-wetted sheepskin on the overalls and leave to soak for half an hour. After the allotted time, wash the product by hand, then rinse thoroughly with soapy water.
If the sheepskin has turned yellow and needs to be bleached, use starch. This is a natural, hypoallergenic product that will achieve maximum effect. Sprinkle the product with starch and moisten it with a previously prepared solution based on water and a small amount of detergent. Using your hands, carefully distribute everything throughout the wool and rub it into the fibers with light movements. After the manipulations, let the overalls dry and remove any remaining starch with a brush.
You can wash your winter overalls yourself. The main thing is to carefully read the symbols on the label and follow the basic recommendations. Choose the correct detergent and water temperature to avoid damage to the product.
Removing moisture from the item
The washed overalls must be dried properly. First of all, the item is removed from the drum, shaken and straightened. Then the filler will take its original shape and will not crumple or fall off.
Afterwards we choose a place for drying. This should be a flat horizontal surface in a ventilated and shaded room, for example, a floor dryer on a balcony. First, a dry terry towel or sheet is laid down, and a suit is placed on top. As the litter gets wet, it is replaced, which speeds up the drying process.
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Reader comments
- Share your opinion - leave a comment
conclusions
Overalls are truly comfortable clothing for a child and practical from a parent’s point of view. It perfectly protects from cold and wind, and is also easy to clean. There are various models to choose from - from the cheapest to the most expensive. Each of the options is good in its own way, but the main thing is that the overalls are easy to clean, but if you need to wash them, you will have to tinker, because there are a lot of instructions and recommendations.
That is why it is better to turn to professionals and entrust the washing of your children's down jacket to a dry cleaner. The cost of the service will be minimal, but the down jacket will definitely not be damaged, minor repairs will be carried out if necessary, and the final product is guaranteed to retain its characteristics and be updated thanks to the use of the latest technologies. Why spend a lot of effort and nerves, risking ruining an expensive thing, if you can do everything faster and now? All you have to do is call and place your order.
Popular brands
Let us note some manufacturers that are successfully developing the membrane sector:
- Reima Reima (Finland). Children's overalls with durability, lightness, protection at temperatures down to -25 degrees. There is an effective membrane layer, reflective elements, no internal seams, a high-quality fleece and polyester lining, removable elements, a wide selection of models and colors. When washing Reim's overalls, you must, first of all, take into account the manufacturer's instructions on the label, and also follow the recommendations of this article.
- Lassie Lassie (budget option from Reima). Inexpensive winter overalls made of polyamide with a fleece lining, good quality, bright colors, but less durable.
- Kerry (Estonia). The fashionable design and originality of the models have received worldwide recognition. Durable, waterproof overalls will keep children warm even in 30-degree frosts with the help of Isosoft insulation. Kerry's overalls with such insulation can be washed with any liquid detergent for colored clothes, but without bleaches or rinse aids.
- Crocid Crocid (Russia). Lightweight, with an interesting design, insulated with goose down, the overalls are comfortable even for babies. Taped seams will protect from wind and precipitation; there are inexpensive winter and off-season options.
Girl in overalls
In order for the membrane to show all its unique properties, you also need to dress correctly. The options may be different, but the classic method is thermal underwear (inner layer), the second layer is fleece clothing, the third layer is the overalls themselves. When the moisture exchange process (ventilation) works correctly, the overalls are comfortable, dry and warm.
Baby soap
Most pediatricians say that clothes washed with baby soap are safest for the baby. Only such products are not very convenient - they are only suitable for washing by hand, which makes it impossible to effectively wash soiled diapers at home. In such cases, special soap shavings for washing children's clothes, which can effectively remove small stains and will not cause allergic reactions in the child, will be a salvation. We list several products that can efficiently wash children's clothes:
- Eco series “Sun and Moon”;
- Dtutelle;
- Baby Swimmer;
- Our mother.
Ironing
Let's figure out how to properly iron children's clothes:
- The ironing board should always be in perfectly clean condition, so you need to wash its cover periodically.
- When ironing, do not set the temperature too high, this can lead to roughening of children's clothes.
- Your child's underwear should be ironed on both sides. Many mothers ask whether they should be ironed before age. The answer is simple - until the baby is one month old.
- To iron children's clothes, it is better to buy an iron model equipped with a steamer function.
No one argues that washing children's clothes is not an easy task. However, with the right approach and use of the tips listed in the article, even a young mother can cope with the task.