In the autumn-winter period, the most popular and comfortable clothing among people is considered to be a down jacket. This is a comfortable and warm outerwear that wears well and needs to be washed infrequently. However, down jackets get quite dirty, especially for children, and you have to come up with ways to bring the jacket back to its original condition. It is especially difficult with greasy stains, as they require the use of aggressive cleaning agents that can ruin the fabric or paint on the down jacket.. Let's figure out how to safely clean your outerwear from dirt.
Professional stain removers
Even complex stains from a down jacket can be removed using professional stain removers:
| Product name | Description |
| Dr. Beckmann with gall soap | The components in the product allow you to remove stains of various natures without damaging the fabric structure. Suitable for any fabric. |
| Ecover Stain Remover | Eliminates stains of dirt, grease, blood, etc. Consists of plant and mineral substances that decompose without harming the environment. |
| Amway Prewash Spray | Suitable for any type of fabric, both colored and white. Copes with contaminants of various natures due to the optimal combination of solvents and surfactants. |
| Just a minute | Eliminates not only grease, lipstick and ballpoint pen marks, but also varnish and paint stains. |
Reasons for divorce
You can’t immediately blame the detergent for the fact that today you definitely won’t wear a down jacket because of the stains that have appeared. This may not be the only reason:
- The item was damp for quite a long time after washing. For example, you did not immediately remove the down jacket from the drum of the machine immediately after the signal about the end of the cycle.
- The item was not dried correctly.
- The filling of the down jacket is a low quality material (it is precisely this that could fade like that).
- The rinse mode was selected incorrectly - the detergent did not have time to be washed out of the dense product.
- The washing instructions (on the label of the down jacket) have been violated: the washing mode has been selected incorrectly or the wrong temperature has been selected.
Always look at the label!
How to remove grease stains from a down jacket
Dish detergent
Since dishwashing detergent contains grease-dissolving ingredients, this is exactly what is needed in this situation. 1 tsp. dissolve detergent in 1 tbsp. water, foam the solution with a sponge and apply to the problem area. Wait 5 minutes and then remove any remaining product with a clean, damp cloth.
Mustard
Mustard contains alyl oil, which perfectly breaks down fats. This product is suitable for colored and dark clothes. You need to add enough warm water to dry mustard to get a mass with the consistency of thick sour cream. Apply the mixture to the stain and leave for 35 - 40 minutes, then wash the area cleaned of grease with laundry soap.
Shaving foam
An unexpected method, but also very effective. Suitable for those down jackets that can be washed. Apply foam to the problem area and wait 5 minutes. Next, wash the item by hand or in a machine with liquid detergent.
Soap
Laundry soap should be grated to make 2 tbsp. spoons and pour it into a glass of warm water. Dampen a soft cloth with the resulting mixture and treat the stain, moving from the edges to the middle. Rinse the fabric with clean water.
Ammonia
Take half a glass of warm water and dilute 1 tsp there. ammonia. Soak a cotton pad in the solution and wipe the dirty area. Repeat until the fat is completely gone.
This method is suitable for both dark and colored as well as white items.
Ironing
Place a sheet of blotting paper on the “affected” area, heat the iron to 110 degrees and iron the product over the blotter. If a large amount of fat has been absorbed into the fabric, the paper will have to be replaced with fresh paper several times.
Talc or chalk
You can use one or the other, or you can combine them in equal parts. Pour powder onto the greasy blot and wait 2-3 hours. After this, shake off any remaining powder from the material.
Lemon
Squeeze the juice from the lemon and pour it on the problem area. After 30 - 40 minutes. wash the product with liquid detergent. If the item is colored, then you can use onion juice in the same way.
Salt
It can be safely used for products of any shade. Pour a little salt onto the contaminated area and gently rub it over the surface. Wait a few minutes and shake off any grains from the material. Repeat until the fat is completely removed from the material.
Peroxide with ammonia
A mixture of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia can rid a down jacket even of old stubborn stains. Combine these components in equal parts and apply the mixture to the stain. After 40 minutes, wash the item by hand or in the machine to eliminate the ammonia smell.
When working with ammonia, you need to wear gloves and a respirator, opening the window.
Turpentine
Before using this substance, the jacket should be thoroughly dried, because if it is wet, the turpentine will not penetrate deeply into the material and the stains will not be completely removed.
Put on gloves and a respirator, open the window. After this, dip a cotton pad in turpentine and squeeze it well so that the liquid does not get on the fluff. If after the first wipe of the fabric the stain does not disappear, repeat the procedure several more times.
Glycerol
Used to remove old grease stains. Drop glycerin several times onto the greasy blot and wait half an hour. Rinse off the substance with a damp sponge.
Using ammonia
One of the most favorite home remedies that helps get rid of many stains (and not only on clothes) is ammonia (ammonia). The product is suitable for cleaning both white down jackets and black (dark) ones:
- First you need to dilute the cleaning solution. Dilute 5 ml of ammonia in 100 ml of water.
- In the room you are cleaning, be sure to open the windows so as not to breathe in alcohol fumes.
- Soak a towel or cotton cloth in the prepared solution and wring it out well.
- Now proceed to cleaning the dirt. Dirt most often collects on the elbows, collars, pockets and sleeve seams, so pay attention to these areas first.
- Start cleaning the product with vigorous movements, try to thoroughly moisten the contaminated parts with ammonia solution to remove even complex stains.
- Periodically turn over the cloth soaked in the product and go over the already cleaned areas with the clean side again.
- Similarly, rub the remaining dirty parts of the product, especially paying attention, for example, to the inner sides of the sleeves (cuffs), and the seams at the elbows.
- If necessary, re-soak the towel in the ammonia solution, remembering to turn it over to the clean side. The surface of the product should be completely wet.
- After this, leave the item to dry. Inspect the dry jacket: if you notice that you missed some dirt, then soak the cloth in the alcohol solution again and try to wipe it off.
How to remove gasoline stains
If the gasoline stain is fresh, try removing it with table salt. Cover a damp cloth with it and leave for 1.5 hours, then remove the salt and wash the area with laundry soap.
Another method is to dilute the washing powder with water to a paste and apply it to the problem area. For this purpose, it is better to choose powder for colored or delicate fabrics. After half an hour, wash the affected area.
If the described methods do not help, you should try a radical remedy - a solvent. Apply a small amount of the substance to an inconspicuous area of the item and wait a little. If nothing happens to the fabric, you can use a stain remover. Apply the solvent to a cotton pad and wipe away any traces of gasoline. This should be done literally for one minute, after which you should wash the fabric using laundry soap.
Do you need a steamer?
Is it worth buying a steamer or is it better to buy a good iron with a powerful stream of steam? Tips for choosing
To know!
Micellar water
Some of the most difficult stains (especially on light-colored jackets and collars) are stains from makeup and sweat. You can cope with them with the help of micellar water, which is familiar to many girls. This product perfectly removes foundation or powder residue from the face, so why shouldn’t it cope with such stains on clothes. This cleaning method is carried out locally by hand and does not require washing in a washing machine:
- Soak a cotton pad in your chosen micellar water.
- Blot the contaminated fabric (for example, the greasy collar of a down jacket).
- Leave the product on the product for a few minutes so that it has time to dissolve the cosmetics.
- Remove dirt and cosmetic residues with a damp cloth.
- If the stains were not removed after the first procedure, repeat it.
For this cleaning method, you can only use micellar water without dyes. If the method does not help, then try a cosmetic product from another manufacturer.
Stains after washing
After washing, if the product is not rinsed well enough, white streaks may appear on it. In such a situation, the first thing you need to do is wet a clean cloth and walk it over the entire surface of the down jacket, regularly rinsing it under running water. If stains remain after the fabric has dried, you will have to rinse the product again in the machine or by hand.
But sometimes not white, but greasy yellowish spots appear on down jackets. This happens because down, when exposed to elevated temperatures, releases fat, which stains the outer material of the jacket. In this case, a stain remover will help. It must be applied to the stains and wait as long as indicated in the instructions for the composition. After this, wipe the fabric several times with a damp sponge. If stains remain, repeat the procedure several more times until they disappear.
To prevent fluff from matting and forming yellow streaks, wash the product using special detergents for washing items with down filling.
If even after proper washing and drying there are still stains on the down jacket, treat them with dishwashing liquid and then wipe it off with a damp cloth - the stains should disappear.
Rules for cleaning a down jacket
There are many ways to get rid of stains; experienced housewives suggest using various available means for this. But first you need to have general rules for cleaning a down jacket from dirt, which will help preserve the product without spoiling it with improper manipulations:
- before using a special aggressive stain remover, it is necessary to remove other existing contaminants (it is important not to damage the fabric);
- a blot of any origin is cleaned off, moving towards the center of the contamination (so as not to smear the dirt even more);
- after cleansing, be sure to remove any remaining product using regular running water;
- the area outside the blot is thoroughly moistened with plain water (if the jacket cannot be washed further, this will help avoid streaks).
Only after drying, the jacket will “show” the result of the housewife’s labors. If there are still residues of a greasy substance or stains at the spot, all manipulations must be carried out again or the jacket must be dry cleaned.
Rust stains
— Folk method: freshly squeezed lemon juice or citric acid solution. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of acid in a glass of water at room temperature. Wipe the stain with this solution or lemon juice applied to a textile napkin. After the stain has disappeared, wash the item as usual.
— Professional method: purchase a special rust stain remover from an outerwear store and wash the stain following the instructions on the package. Rinse the treatment area thoroughly to ensure no chemicals remain in the jacket fabric.
The main places where down jackets are contaminated with fat and the reasons for their occurrence
Basically, the cuffs of the sleeves, the neck of the down jacket adjacent to the neck, the collar and pockets are contaminated with grease. There are primary reasons why outerwear gets dirty with grease:
- Food stains.
- Machine oil.
- After long wear, the sleeves begin to shine from constant contact with the hands.
- Dirty hand prints.
- Fat has melted out of the feathers of a low-quality down jacket.
Important! Before washing a down jacket, be sure to inspect the pockets: external and internal. If this simple procedure is carried out on time, then after washing there will be no unpleasant surprises in the form of another dirty spot.
How to eliminate bad odor
Down jackets have the ability to absorb foreign and unpleasant odors. In order for outerwear to acquire a fresh appearance, the following steps must be taken:
- After purchasing, be sure to treat the lining fabric with an antimicrobial agent. It is important to remember that the smell of sweat is a product of the vital activity of pathogenic microflora.
- If there is an unpleasant odor, use a home remedy based on apple cider vinegar. Add 10-15 ml of acid to 200 ml of cold water. Treat the lining fabric and dry.
- Instead of vinegar, you can use ammonia or vodka, first diluting them with water. Drying the down jacket is carried out in a well-ventilated area away from heating radiators and heaters.
Special means
If traditional methods do not help you or do not inspire confidence, you can always find a suitable cleaning product in the store.
For cleaning down jackets
The most well-known, proven one, which can be used on outerwear, is “Down Wash & Clean”. Easy to use, easily removes grease from cuffs and collars without leaving streaks. It will also help to clean a dirty down jacket without washing it.
Universal stain removers
Some universal products can also clean a down jacket without unpleasant consequences. The well-known “Vanish” or “Antipyatin” can be used without fear of ruining your favorite jacket. Less popular, but still good products are “Frau Schmidt”, “Sodasan”, “Ecover”. The main requirement is to strictly follow the instructions.
Ballpoint pen ink stain
- Stain remover. Most often, this method easily copes with the dyes of a writing pen. You can use a liquid household stain remover, a strong bleach powder (after dissolving the grains in a small amount of water), or a solid product (a bar of stain remover soap).
- Lemon acid. You can use either fresh lemon juice or household citric acid in powder form. First, wet the contaminated area with room temperature water. Then moisten the stain with lemon juice or citric acid solution 2-4 times at short intervals (3-4 crystals per glass of warm water). After the stain is washed out, rinse the previously stained area, wipe with white table vinegar and rinse again.
- Milk. Moisten a fresh ink stain with skim milk. In the absence of other means at hand, this method, as the most accessible, can help.
- Hair fixation spray. Spray the varnish onto the stain, wait until the varnish dries and wipe with a dry cloth. After 3-5 repetitions, the stain will disappear. The method is especially good for jackets covered with a waterproof layer or leather.
Rules for washing items made from different fabrics
You definitely need to take into account the fabric from which the jacket is made. It is necessary to study the labels on the clothes, otherwise the material may be damaged. It is recommended to use dry cleaning services several times a season or refresh the items yourself using special products.
Features of washing items made from Bologna
Bolognese fabric is the most practical option for winter or cold autumn. A jacket made of this material protects from wind, snow and rain. Even if the material repels moisture, clothing made from this type of fabric may still develop stains. Especially often the sleeves and pockets of jackets get dirty. How to remove shiny stains from a jacket:
- First, remove dust by wiping the surface with a damp cloth.
- Before you wash your jacket from grime at home using an aggressive product, you need to check its reaction on a small area of the product; the reverse side of the cuff or the inside of the down jacket will do. You can lightly rub with a sponge, then rinse in water and dry. If there are no changes, you can start washing the jacket completely. In case of stains and damage to the fabric structure, it is better to choose a safer method.
- Do not rub the stain too hard, otherwise there is a risk of ruining the material. A cotton swab must be moistened generously with the product and rubbed from the middle of the stain to the edges.
- You can remove a shiny stain on a Bologna jacket using a stain remover. If you don’t have such a product at hand, you can use ammonia diluted with water or purified gasoline.
Washing raincoat outerwear
Products made from raincoat fabric are no less popular than those made from bologna. However, they are more susceptible to contamination and are more difficult to wash. Before washing, you also need to study the label, which contains all the necessary information. Typically, the water temperature should not exceed 40 degrees, and in case of poor quality dyeing - 25°C. It is unacceptable to use bleaches or products with chlorine; it is advisable to give preference to liquid gels or shampoos for delicate fabrics.
Diluted ammonia or a soap solution will help remove stains from raincoat fabric. Often, stains can be removed by soaking in regular warm water. Important! You can also use gasoline against greasy stains, but it often leaves stains that will be difficult to remove later. When treating a product with gasoline, use a cotton pad or swab and rub the stain from the center to the edge.
Useful tips
And finally, a few general recommendations that may not ruin Bologna outerwear forever:
- during work, perform movements only from the edge of the spot to the center to avoid increasing the affected area,
- To remove stains using aggressive compounds, be sure to use gloves,
- after treatment with substances with a strong odor, the jacket should be washed using a small amount of fabric softener and dried in fresh air,
- Apply solvents only to the area of contamination; wash the product completely using a regular detergent.
Thus, removing greasy marks from a Bolognese jacket is a completely solvable task. And since the result largely depends on the speed of the measures taken, cleaning should begin as early as possible. And then your favorite jacket will last for a very long time.
It doesn’t matter if yellow stains appear on your down winter jacket after an unsuccessful wash. It happens that you have to wash vomit stains from upholstered furniture or clothes, and it is very difficult to clean a mattress from red stains and the smell of urine, but there are methods. You can, Removing stains is always a long and labor-intensive process, especially if it concerns traces of food or
In what cases is it better not to wash a down jacket?
If your down coat gets dirty, don't rush to throw the whole thing into the washing machine. There are several circumstances when you definitely shouldn't do this.
Firstly, if such an indication is on the label. Don't neglect this. Otherwise, you risk getting a shapeless pile out of the machine, which will never take on the appearance of your favorite down jacket.
Secondly, if there are only one or several stains on the jacket. Most of all, down jackets do not tolerate frequent washing. Each time, the property of moisture resistance and windproofness gradually disappears. And if a full wash can be avoided, then it’s better to do so.
Thirdly, if the down jacket has leather elements. This is capricious material. Maybe it will just shrink, deforming part of the thing, or maybe it will fade and eventually ruin it all. In any case, it is better to clean the down jacket without washing it.
