Balls for washing down jackets: which ones are needed and why, washing rules

How to wash a down jacket yourself without unpleasant consequences?
This question is very relevant. Dry cleaning services are quite expensive, but keeping things in good condition is necessary.

Washing balls have become an indispensable assistant for owners of down jackets. These simple items help to wash the jacket efficiently and maintain its original shape.

Features of washing down items

The down jacket has firmly taken a leading position among outerwear; the variety of styles and colors is conducive to this. One of the shortcomings is the soiling of the fabric in the sleeves and pockets. Products made from light-colored materials require regular washing; the cost of dry cleaning per season is comparable to the price of a new down jacket. The best way to restore the appearance of clothes is to wash them in an automatic machine using tennis balls or balls specially designed for this purpose.

• How to wash jackets with bio down
• Which down jackets can be washed in a washing machine?
• Rules for washing a down jacket from greasy stains

The down jacket is filled with a mixture of down and feathers, providing an air layer inside the product, thereby retaining heat. Machine washing clumps the filling into clumps, making it difficult to rinse. Unwashed, unrinsed clumps of feathers roll down to the seams of the product, leaving the thin fabric without filler; a down jacket is not reliable protection from the cold. If you try to fluff the filler, this will not help restore the thermal insulation functions of the clothing; a dirty feather does not retain heat. Repeated washing using special balls will help.

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What can be replaced

Without a suitable product at hand, housewives came up with many alternative ways to replace tennis balls. For example, to wash a down jacket you can use:

• children's ball toys of a suitable size;
• ball toys for animals;
• ping pong balls;
• small cases for Kinder Surprise toys;
• self-rolled foil balls.

It is unlikely that such alternative means will help achieve the same effect as special laundry balls, but if necessary, you can try them.

Thus, you can safely wash your down jacket in an automatic machine without resorting to dry cleaning services. The use of special balls will help maintain the presentable appearance of the product and will not allow the filler to crumple inside.

Do tennis balls help?

Typically, tennis balls are used for washing jackets and down jackets, rarely for other types of clothing and textiles. The technique originates from old washing methods with “beaters” to quickly remove dirt.

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Why do housewives put tennis balls in the washing machine?

• The accessory helps to knock out dirt from the deepest layers of the filler.
• The balls prevent the filler from clumping: when the drum rotates, they bounce off the walls and “beat” the material. During normal washing, fluff or synthetic fluff clumps together and is very difficult to straighten with your hands. As a result, winter clothing loses its heat-protective properties.
• Special laundry balls, rather than ordinary tennis balls, can fight fungus and help get rid of unpleasant odors.
• During rinsing, the additional mechanical action of the accessory helps to wash out all the detergent.

Tennis balls do not harm the car, they are quite light. But if you are afraid, then use special washing supplies purchased at a hardware store.

Tennis balls perform well in washing. They are durable and can be easily purchased at a sporting goods store. Many people ask what tennis balls are needed to wash a down jacket. Our experts advise buying good quality products and choosing tennis balls.

After purchasing, soak the balls in a strong bleach solution for a couple of hours. This must be done so that they do not fade and spoil the jacket when washed.

How to wash a down jacket with tennis balls? Place 3 balls in the machine along with your outerwear and follow the recommendations described above.

How to use it correctly

Using balls for effective washing is not enough. To avoid unpleasant consequences and not spoil the item, it is important to know how to properly wash a down jacket in a washing machine. It is enough to follow a few simple rules:

1. Use only the delicate wash cycle.
2. The temperature should not be higher than 40 degrees, otherwise the balls may become unusable.
3. Use the “no spin” function if available, or set the minimum speed.
4. It is advisable to abandon conventional powder and use gels; when using tourmaline balls, you can completely abandon detergents.

Washing a down jacket with balls is very simple. It is enough to turn it inside out and load it into the drum, and then put the balls there. They can be divided into several parts and distributed as follows:

• place part of it on the bottom of the drum before loading the down jacket;
• put some in the pockets, sleeves and hood of the product;
• Throw some of it after loading the down jacket, directly onto it.

This will help distribute the balls evenly throughout the drum, which will enhance the effect of their work and help them contact all parts of the down jacket, preventing the filler from clumping from unused areas.

All the balls are simply placed in the drum without any protective bags or anything like that. They should move as freely as possible inside.

During washing, the balls can hit the drum loudly and noisily. There is no need to worry, this is normal. They cannot damage either the washing machine or the down jacket.

What things and materials are used for?

To understand which beads are right for you, consider the purpose of their use, as they come in different types, some of which, in turn, are suitable for processing certain products.

If you use the balls correctly and wash only with products that are suitable for their properties, they will last as long as possible.

Types of washing balls and their principle of operation

In the assortment of washing balls you will find several varieties. Each type has a special structure and a unique principle of action.

Plastic and rubber

They have a studded surface. Due to the pimpled surface, washing efficiency increases significantly. They are mainly used for processing down jackets, jackets, and blankets. During the washing process, they break up the inner layers of fluff, preventing it from clumping. Hedgehog balls cannot fully replace detergent, but only perform mechanical additional actions in the drum.

Smooth balls made of PVC materials are also on sale. They, in turn, are designed for processing delicate fabrics.

Magnetic

They are a plastic ball with a small magnetic ball inside. They have a maximum service life of 20 years.

In addition to their main mechanical function, they soften water by demagnetizing it. If you use balls like these, you can skip the conditioner, since the clothes will be soft and pleasant to the touch after washing.

Tourmaline

In appearance, tourmaline balls resemble a baby rattle. Inside the plastic base are small granules of tourmaline, which contains more than 80 minerals. When in contact with water, the granules release alkali, which foams in the process and removes dirt from things.

When using tourmaline, there is no need to use washing powders and gels. In addition, the minerals included in the composition soften and disinfect water. This property not only improves the quality of washing, but also protects the washing machine from damage.

Tourmaline balls are relatively expensive, but their service life of 3 years fully pays for this cost.

When using tourmaline beads, follow these guidelines:

• When washing by hand, first soak the items in water;
• When washing in a machine, there is no need to pre-soak things;
• Before the first use, saturate the internal contents of the device with positive ions by keeping it in the sun for at least 30 minutes;
• The washing temperature should not exceed 50 degrees;
• After use, let the balls dry completely.

Tourmaline balls are a hypoallergenic product, so they can be used for washing children's clothes or clothes for allergy sufferers.

Anti-pellet balls

They resemble balls from the children's game "Darts". The plastic base is covered with ribbons with loops to which lint, wool and threads stick. During the washing process, the ball slides over the surface, thereby removing pellets.

In addition, the balls have a beneficial effect on the operation of the washing machine, since they collect lint and debris in the drum during operation.

These balls also work great for removing animal hair on clothes.

With ceramic granules

On sale you can find balls with ceramic granules. They are similar to tourmaline balls in their external structure, only the inside of such devices is not tourmaline granules, but ceramic. The manufacturer recommends not using powder, since the granules are made from natural raw materials, which, when interacting with water, create negative ions.

They can be used no more than 500 times. Before washing, soak the ball for 15 minutes, and be sure to dry it after.

Wool balls for drying clothes

Special dryer balls are made from sheep wool. Used in washing machines with drying function. They are helping:

• reduce the moisture level in products by 25%;
• make laundry softer without using conditioner;
• reduce the risk of pellets;
• prevent the filler from rolling off in down jackets and jackets during drying.

One sheep ball is designed for 1000 dryings. Just put it in the drum before the drying cycle and dry thoroughly afterwards. If desired, before the procedure, you can add a few drops of essential oil directly to the ball, and then the laundry will emit a light, unobtrusive aroma after drying.

Rules for caring for a down jacket

Before putting it in the washing machine, the down jacket must be turned inside out.

Attention! Don't forget to turn out the sleeves too!

Be sure to fasten the “inverted” down jacket with a zipper. This way we better protect the front side of the down jacket and protect each external seam from damage. In addition, a fastened zipper is less susceptible to deformation and prevents the appearance of “waves” on the down jacket.

In order for washing to end in complete victory over dirt the first time, you also need to be able to prepare a down jacket.

Washing powder is not for down jackets! The peculiarity of this warm clothing is that its filler works like a sieve - it allows water to pass through, but retains grains. Particles of even very high-quality powder will forever be “registered” inside your down jacket.

We use only liquid detergent for delicate washing. It is easy to rinse without leaving marks in the filler or on the fabric.

Before washing the down jacket, you need to inspect it for dirt. Old, greasy marks from wear may not be removed during one cycle in the washing machine.

We put several laundry balls in the washing machine. Two pieces are enough for a jacket. For larger coats, it is better to take three or four balls.

Maximum washing temperature 30 degrees. At least three rinse cycles are recommended.

You should not soak down jackets before washing them in an automatic washing machine.

If you have to hand wash your down jacket, pay special attention to rinsing the item. Change the water until you feel the soap is completely gone. If you ignore this advice, you may end up with unsightly white streaks on your down jacket, especially noticeable on clothes of dark colors.

Advice. Never wash down jackets with other things, so as not to waste time pulling feathers out of the affected “wash neighbors”.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of the balls are as follows:

• the mechanical principle of the balls does not allow fluff to be knocked down, which allows you to maintain the desired shape of the product;
• their high-intensity interaction with fabric effectively combats contamination, allowing the use of washing powder to be minimized, thereby providing significant savings;
• they effectively knock out excess and remnants of detergents from fabric fibers and internal filler, preventing the formation of streaks;
• the balls perfectly soften the fabric and prevent the formation of pills;
• With them, clothes are rinsed without repeating the rinse cycle, saving energy and water consumption.

The only shortcomings identified are that:

• they can knock loudly on the drum in the machine;
• If the material used to make the balls is of poor quality, they can fade and ruin the items being washed.

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What to do if spots appear

Often, after automatic washing, dark stripes and stains appear on clothes - this is “internal” dirt and dust. To remove stains on a down jacket after washing, try gently soaping the sponge with laundry soap and wiping away the stains, then rinse with water. Or use a stain remover for colored laundry: drop a couple of drops on the stained areas and after about fifteen minutes brush with a brush. In this case, the down jacket will need to be washed again.

If you notice greasy or yellow stains that have come from nowhere, then the “resuscitation” method will be as follows: drop a little dishwashing detergent on the stain, scrub with a brush and send the down jacket to be washed again.

Whitish stains on a washed item can only be eliminated by repeated rinsing.

Operating principle of the balls

What happens when we put several round hard spheres into the machine along with our clothes? By getting between individual items of clothing, the balls prevent “mush-mala” in the drum and help each item receive its share of washing powder, foam and clean water during rinsing.

The principle of operation of the balls is very simple, but they work quite effectively.

In addition, there are innovative balls that have an additional effect on clothes in the washing machine. How else laundry balls can help:

• soften the water. The secret is simple - the softer the water, the better the clothes are washed;
• will prevent the appearance of pills and puffs. Special balls are available for wool and other delicate materials;
• get rid of allergens. Some types of balls have antibacterial properties.

Continuously moving along with things, they hit them well, so the filler does not clump and remains evenly distributed inside the jacket.

Important! Almost all types of laundry balls save you money by using less detergent or shampoo.

Since each type of ball has its own operating principle, a good housewife always keeps in stock several sets designed for different types of fabrics.

This is completely safe for the down jacket itself, and washing with balls does not lose its original appearance.

Why are they needed?

The main task when washing a down jacket is to preserve its filling in its original form. It is precisely because there is a layer of air between the down particles that makes the jacket so warm and light. Under the influence of water, the filler becomes compacted and clumps together, significantly losing its warming qualities and presentable appearance.

Balls are useful for the following:

• 
  constantly moving inside the drum of the washing machine in a chaotic manner, they hit the jacket, preventing fluff from collecting into lumps;

• the impact on the down jacket literally “knocks out” all the old dirt from the surface of the fabric;
• when rinsing, thanks to intense movement, all excess household chemicals are removed, with which the item was saturated during washing;
• the consumption of detergents is reduced due to the fact that with such a process, things are washed perfectly even with a small amount of household chemicals;
• Due to active mechanical action, the time required for rinsing and spinning is reduced, thereby saving electricity and water.

What quantity is needed

Through experience, many housewives have found that in order to achieve the desired result, you need to put four to eight balls in the wash.

This amount provides the best mechanical effect, depending on the volume of the washing machine and the size of the down jacket itself.

The manufacturers themselves write on the packaging how many balls are needed to wash a down jacket, which may differ slightly from what is written above. For example:

• PVC products and anti-pilling - it is optimal to use 4 pieces;
• Magnetic balls and tourmaline balls will give a good effect with 6 pieces for a half load and 12 for a full load.

You should not save balls in delicate washing of a down jacket. This may not live up to expectations, especially since they are designed to be reusable.

How many pieces does it take to wash a jacket?

The effectiveness of washing largely depends on the uniform impact on the surface of the clothing, so you should use at least 4 balls at a time. Operating experience has proven that the best results are obtained by distributing the balls inside the jacket pockets and sleeves.

For balls with magnets and tourmaline balls, this number can increase to 6 pieces.

The compact arrangement of the down jacket inside the drum of the washing machine is of great importance for high-quality washing. A neatly folded item is better “beaten” by balls when washed, as a result of which the filler is evenly distributed and dries faster.

Another point concerns the dimensions of the balls; the smaller the weight and size of the ball, the greater the number of them needed to achieve maximum effect.

Attention! Reusable use of laundry balls for a long time fully pays for the funds spent on their purchase, and is also much more economical compared to dry cleaning services.

Varieties: which ones are there and which ones are needed?

The variety of laundry balls allows you to make a choice according to individual preferences, guided by functional purpose, appearance, and cost.

Balls differ in the type of materials from which they are made:

• polyvinyl chloride (PVC);
• polypropylene;
• tourmaline;
• magnetic.

By purpose:

• for washing and drying;
• to remove pellets;
• to soften the fabric.

The balls also differ in:

• sizes;
• forms;
• colors.

Balls are sold in supermarkets, household appliances and household goods stores, and online stores.

For all balls, there is the same procedure for use: they are placed along with the clothes in the drum of the washing machine and taken out after the process is completed.

An undeniable advantage is the long useful life of such devices, which ranges from 3 to 10 years, depending on the type and conditions of use.

The disadvantages include increased background noise, which occurs during washing due to the balls hitting the walls of the machine drum.

Carefully ! Laundry balls should not be used at water heating temperatures above fifty degrees, as this leads to deformation of their surface and makes them unsuitable for further work.

Hedgehogs

These balls owe their name to their appearance.
The spiky surface really resembles a bristling hedgehog. They are made from polyvinyl chloride, a material very similar to rubber. The price is quite affordable and amounts to about 120 - 150 rubles for a set consisting of two units.

These balls can be used both for down jackets and for other clothes and linen.

PVC

Instead of many "spikes", the surface of these balls is covered with bulges, some of which have holes. When washing, water enters the ball, and when the drum rotates, it acts specifically on the clothes, improving the washing efficiency and removing excess detergents, preventing the formation of stains on the fabric.

The cost of such a ball is higher than that of a hedgehog. Its purchase will cost 300 rubles apiece. The service life of PVC balls is 3-5 years.

After use, the balls must be dried to avoid stagnation of water in them and the appearance of an unpleasant odor.

Magnetic

They are a smooth ball with holes, inside the shell, which contains a magnet. When washing:

• a magnetic field is created, which reduces water hardness,
• the effect of detergents is enhanced.

The noticeable weight of the balls has an active “massage” effect, which allows you to wash off even significant dirt.

The pricing policy for balls with magnets varies depending on the manufacturer, material and size of the product, on average ranging from 100 rubles per unit of product.

Reference! Magnetic balls can be used for 10 years without replacement.

Tourmaline

The intriguing name hides a plastic container reminiscent of a baby rattle.

Inside are small balls of red, gray and white colors, consisting of mineral compounds, including tourmaline.

When using these balls, an alkaline environment is created in the water, which has a disinfecting and washing effect , which allows you to significantly reduce the amount of products used.

The cost of tourmaline balls is quite high and amounts to 1300-2200 rubles for a set of two balls. The period of use is about three years.

Advice! Before using tourmaline balls, they should be placed in direct sunlight for a few minutes to enhance their effectiveness.

Polypropylene "anti-pilling"

This type of ball is used to remove pellets from the inside of jackets. They are brightly colored and consist of a large number of small loops on the outer surface.

It is the loops that act as attachments that collect:

• pellets,
• threads,
• hair,
• other small debris

preventing clogging of the washing machine drain filter.

The greatest efficiency in use is shown when washing woolen fabric. Most often sold in sets of 6 or 12 pieces. The cost of a set of 12 pieces is about 700 rubles.

Option from Fix Price

Balls are the conventional name for these products. They are made of fairly hard but flexible plastic and look like openwork butterflies.

They are sold in the Fix Price chain of stores, in sets of 3 pieces, the cost of packaging is 60-70 rubles. The operating principle is the same as that of PVC balls.

Tennis balls

A popular analogue of special balls for washing down jackets are regular tennis balls. They can be purchased at sporting goods stores.

Before using for washing, be sure to soak the balls in hot water with bleach added to prevent unwanted staining of the jacket . Then rinse thoroughly.

Attention ! In terms of efficiency of use, these balls are in no way inferior to special factory products.

A set of three balls will cost 300 rubles. Useful life is about 3 years.

Where can I buy

Finding and purchasing tennis balls or other types of laundry balls is very easy. To do this, just look at the following establishments:

• sports stores - for example, "Sportmaster", which is in every city;
• large hypermarkets;
• hardware stores;
• shops with kitchenware and household goods;
• large online stores - OZON, Aliexpress, iHerb, etc.

The range of balls for washing down jackets is very large, so choosing something suitable is not difficult. The price range is approximately this:

• tennis - from 150 to 800 rubles for a set of three pieces;
• plastic - from 30 to 200 rubles per piece;
• tourmaline - from 200 to 1000 rubles per piece;
• magnetic from 150 to 500 rubles per piece.

There is an especially large selection and affordable prices on large online sites.