Do I need to turn my jacket inside out when washing it in the washing machine?
Some housewives claim that it is necessary to turn the jacket inside out when washing it in the washing machine. Others consider this unnecessary, so they throw their outerwear into the SMA drum as is. Who is right in this situation? Let's try to figure it out and give a reasoned answer to this question.
Why is it better to wash inside out?
So what is the best way to wash outerwear? Before loading the machine into the drum, be sure to turn the jacket inside out. This way the item will last much longer and retain its original appearance.
Why should you wash your outerwear inside out? At least two arguments can be made.
There are fittings on jackets and down jackets. The shiny coating on metal buttons and locks, after hitting the walls of the SMA drum, wears off and deteriorates. As a result, the item looks worn. Plastic decorative elements can simply crumble and lose their functionality. If you turn the item inside out, it is easier to ensure the safety of the fittings.
The material, in contact with the metal walls of the drum, deteriorates. Fabric paint washes out faster due to friction. So, after a few washes, the fading will become noticeable. The reverse part is not so sorry - there the loss of brightness will be less noticeable.
There is another argument in favor of turning outerwear inside out before loading into the SMA. The decorative elements on the jacket are often made of metal. The fact that they fade and wear off is not so bad.If the outcome is unfavorable, a large button or button may fly off and get stuck between the tub and the drum of the washing machine, causing the container to jam. It will not be easy to remove a foreign object from there.
Also, a lock pawl or a sharp rivet can damage the drum seal. The sealing rubber will have to be changed, otherwise it is fraught with leaks. In any case, there is nothing pleasant about such outcomes.
Washing a jacket that is not turned inside out is fraught not only with damage to the item itself, but also to the washing machine.
Therefore, it is better not to risk either a down jacket or a washing machine. It’s much easier to turn your jacket inside out than to deal with the consequences later. Another option is to purchase a special bag for washing outerwear. It isolates the fittings from contact with the cuff and drum, which will reduce the risk of damage to the MMA parts.
Preparing the jacket for washing
The process of preparing a down jacket for loading into an automatic machine does not boil down to turning the item inside out. In order for the washing to go smoothly, you need to perform a number of additional steps. What are we talking about?
Assess the volume and weight of the jacket you are washing. It is worth considering that a down jacket, having absorbed water, will add at least 4-5 kilograms. If the machine is not designed for such a load, then it is better to abandon the idea of automatic washing. The drum can't handle the weight. You will have to resort to manual cleaning.
Check the pockets of your outerwear and remove all contents from them. Keys, pieces of paper, matches and other items forgotten in the jacket will fall into the machine and may fall into the space between the tank and the drum.
Fasten all the zippers on the jacket: both the main zipper and the hidden zippers. Do the same with buttons and snaps. Otherwise, the fittings may become deformed.
Unfasten the fur trim and all removable decorative elements. It is better to tear off metal, plastic or glass figurines, brooches so that they do not deteriorate or come off during the stripping process.
Pre-treat the shiny areas on the jacket: cuffs, collar, area near the pockets. It is better to wipe these places with dishwashing liquid - it quickly removes such stains. There is no need to rinse off the product before loading the down jacket into the drum.
If the jacket has leather, fur or suede inserts, the item cannot be washed in an automatic washing machine; only dry cleaning is permissible.
The recommendations are very simple, but often users forget to check the pockets or pre-wash the cuffs. To ensure a satisfying washing result, it is important not to neglect the basic rules of preparation.
The most suitable washing mode
The next task of the housewife is to choose the appropriate mode. Modern automatic machines have special algorithms “Down jackets”, “Outerwear” - these programs are ideal for washing jackets. They provide gentle spinning and an optimal temperature range, which will ensure the safety of the product and high cleaning results.
If such algorithms are not available, you can run any gentle program:
"Delicate";
"Handwash";
“Down blanket” (if the jacket is filled);
“Synthetics” (for thin products made from synthetic materials).
The names of the modes on machines of different brands may differ. The main thing is to choose a program that provides delicate washing at a minimum temperature, without intense drum movements and super-hard spinning.When running the manual algorithm, the washing machine does not rotate things, but simply transfers them from side to side, which will be optimal.
Particular attention should be paid to the spin speed. The maximum permissible value is 600 rpm. Even more intense rotation of the drum can ruin the item.
It is recommended to connect the “Additional rinse” option to any selected mode. At one time, the detergent may not be completely removed from a bulky down jacket, which will lead to the appearance of stains on the fabric.
When washing a jacket, it is recommended to throw 2-3 tennis balls into the SMA drum - they will prevent the filling from clumping.
There is no need to put additional underwear in the SMA at the same time as the jacket. As already mentioned, you can first put the down jacket in a special bag for washing. The fabric will protect the fittings from damage.
How hot should the water be?
When caring for outerwear, you can forget about high-temperature washing modes. The maximum permissible water heating temperature is 40°C. For items made from delicate materials, it is better to reduce the temperature to 30°C.
Jackets can be made from different fabrics. The type of filler also differs: from unpretentious holofiber to swan's down, which requires special care. The composition of the material determines the washing temperature.
It is better to wash polyester windbreakers in cool water, maximum at 30°C. This will preserve the weather-resistant properties of the fabric (it does not allow moisture and wind to pass through). Artificial material does not tolerate high temperatures and has a tendency to deform.
Nylon. It is stronger than polyester and less prone to fading, but under the influence of high temperatures it wrinkles and stretches.It is optimal to wash nylon jackets at 30-40°C, no more.
Cotton and corduroy. Jackets made from natural fabrics can withstand treatment at 60°C. Here you should focus on the degree of contamination of the products and the type of filler. The optimal temperature is 40-60 degrees.
Before washing your jacket, be sure to read the product label. There are basic recommendations for caring for the item. It also indicates whether machine processing is permissible and what washing temperature would be optimal.
What tool will we use?
Here everything will depend on the type of jacket. Thin windbreakers without filling can be washed with regular powder. With the right program, the granules will do their job perfectly. It's important to connect additional rinseso that the detergent particles are completely washed out of the fabric fibers.
To care for bulky jackets with filling, it is better to use liquid formulations. There are special gels and capsules for washing outerwear on sale. What are the advantages of such funds?
The gel dissolves faster in cool water (and this is important, since washing is performed at a maximum of 40°C).
The liquid product is easier to rinse out of the filler without leaving whitish residue.
Gel and capsules begin to work faster, so they remove dirt more effectively.
It is also important to focus on the color of the product. Depending on the shade, a gel is selected for light or bright fabrics. This rule should not be neglected. A properly selected product will preserve the original appearance of the jacket for a long time.
When caring for outerwear, do not use stain removers or whiteners. It is better to “wash” particularly dirty areas with dishwashing liquid or soap.Aggressive household chemicals can ruin the fabric.
Removing moisture from the jacket
It is equally important to dry your washed jacket properly. Otherwise, neither its preparation, nor the necessary program, nor the right detergent will save the item. So, what are the nuances here?
First, always look at the label. He will tell you if there are any peculiarities in drying a particular item. The manufacturer puts a horizontal or vertical icon on the tag, informing whether machine drying is acceptable.
The second rule is that the jacket must be taken out of the washing machine as soon as the machine stops working. If you leave your down jacket in the machine overnight, a musty smell will be guaranteed. Wet filler cakes very quickly, so even a couple of extra hours in the drum is detrimental to the product.
It is not recommended to wring out jackets with filling. It is better to take the wet product out of the machine, hang it on a rope and place a basin under the windbreaker. When the moisture leaves, the down jacket is moved to hangers.
It is important to select hangers according to the size of the jacket. It is advisable to take a plastic hanger so that it exactly follows the “curves” of the down jacket. Otherwise, a wet windbreaker may change shape from the protruding parts of the hanger. Place the product on a balcony or in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight.
While the jacket is drying, it is important to shake it every 30-60 minutes.
Constant shaking will prevent stagnation and promote ventilation of the filler. By fluffing the jacket with your hands, you fill it with air, the moisture will evaporate faster. The inner padding of the down jacket will not clump.
You cannot dry your jacket on a radiator. The moisture will evaporate quickly, but hard, dried lumps of filler will form inside the down jacket.The heated sole of the iron will “burn” the upper synthetic fabric, and will also cause caking of the inner padding. A blast of hot air from a hair dryer will also damage the product. Ideally, dry the item naturally.
Some housewives claim that it is necessary to turn the jacket inside out when washing it in the washing machine. Others consider this unnecessary, so they throw their outerwear into the SMA drum as is. Who is right in this situation? Let's try to figure it out and give a reasoned answer to this question.
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