For decades the down jackets They have become essential in every winter wardrobe. Although they have been varying styles, going from thin and short down jackets to large coats with colorful and long padding, the truth is that the multiple styles of the garment do not go out of style and are a sure guarantee to protect yourself from the cold.
What there is also great unanimity about is that its storage, since due to its dimensions it is not always easy, as well as itscleaning and care. This last section deserves a separate case because the truth is that some spend the season airing their coat and, in general, many are afraid of putting it in the washing machine or taking it to a dry cleaner and losing the essence, and dimensions, of the down filling. , whether natural or synthetic.
In this sense, any advice in this regard can be of special interest and the ones it provides Andy Morningstar They can be crucial. He is a specialist in product care for the sportswear company Columbia and on the brand’s official website he reveals very useful tricks to continue keeping the product as good as the first day and so that your feathers are not affected.
Cleaning when necessary
“The sponginess or the softness of the down or the synthetic insulation is what allows the jacket to trap air and retain heat,” he emphasizes, who at the same time highlights the importance of periodically washing this type of garment so that the filling does not agglomerate and so that dirt, dust or sweat cannot contribute to breaking down the water protection materials.
Taking into account that detergents and frequent washing can also affect the jacket, the ideal is to clean it only when necessary, not too frequently or with very strong products. That said, the expert recommends always usingfront loading washing machines (since top-loaders can trap the product) and close all zippers and flaps, as well as turn it inside out, before washing.
In the washing machine, it is best to use a gentle or delicate cycle, which is long, with cold water and with a mild detergent. Morningstar urges not to use fabric softeners or any type of bleach, as well as not to use the spin option (or, if necessary, keep it to a minimum).
When drying, as much as it may surprise many, the expert advises using the dryerwith cold air or at very low temperatures. Morningstar talks at this point about an unusual object that holds the key to success: a tennis ball. In reality he talks about using two or three balls so that, during a drying of about 20 or 30 minutes, they redistribute the filling of the jacket as the drying program runs.
The alternative to machine washing is to do it by hand and here the Columbia expert also has recommendations, such as soaking the jacket for half an hour to an hour in warm water and then gently washing the jacket with a detergent suitable for these delicate garments. The water has to drain but without twisting the coat too much.
On the other hand, Morningstar remembers that it is also very important keep this type of outdoor clothing correctly, neither compressing it too much nor without hanging it well because this can lead to weighing them down and leaving areas without insulation where the cold can seep in.
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