How to wash a parka in a washing machine

It is much faster and more convenient to wash your winter parka in the washing machine. But won’t the lining, filling and fur trim deteriorate after being in the machine’s drum? The answer will be negative, but under one condition - you must load outerwear and start the cycle strictly according to the instructions. We will discuss in detail below what rules and recommendations we are talking about.

Preparing the jacket for washing

It’s easy to determine exactly whether a parka can be machine washed: just look at the label on it. It is on all clothes and is located on the wrong side of the jacket at the junction of the seams at the bottom. Here are all the washing recommendations. If there is no image of a basin with a line through it, then the use of a washing machine is permitted.

But don't rush into starting the cycle. Before turning on the machine, the park must be prepared for loading into the drum.

1. Check all pockets and remove small items, paper, coins, etc.
2. Remove all additional elements (hood, decorative elements, fur trim, lining, pockets).
3. Fasten the main and additional zippers, as well as buttons, snaps and other fasteners.
4. Turn inside out so that all metal inserts and other decor do not come off and damage the coating of the drum.
5. Roll up the parka, pressing it down slightly, and place it in a special laundry bag. If there is none, use a bed pillowcase.
6. Load everything into the drum.

Attention! Be careful not to exceed the maximum permitted load of your washing machine model.

Now let's stop.To start the wash, you will have to select the system-set mode that is suitable for a particular parka or configure it yourself. To do this, you need to pay attention to the main fabric, type of filler, fur inserts and other features. All details and recommendations for each case are given below.

Wash according to instructions

The instructions for washing spring and winter parkas are based on a single principle - the most gentle conditions and non-aggressive cleaning agents. For most, a delicate mode with minimal spin and a temperature range of up to 40° is suitable. The last point is very important, since too hot water spoils synthetic and cotton fabrics, making them unattractive and unwearable. Machine drying is also useful if it is included in the washing machine.

Important! If the label has an image with a basin and a bold dot in the middle, then washing is only allowed in cold water up to 30 degrees.

This is a general guideline with some exceptions:

• only special powders are used, since ordinary ones leave strong stains;
• cotton products of white and light shades are washed only using non-aggressive bleaches;
• with the presence of colored fabrics, gels and powders are needed that do not allow shedding;
• if the filler is synthetic, then a program for synthetics and a gel or powder corresponding to the material are needed. Spinning and drying are prohibited, and after washing the jacket is hand-wrung.

With down filling the situation is more complicated. Firstly, you should use special or tennis balls, which, moving along the drum, do not allow the fluff to roll off.Secondly, we choose a delicate wash with 30 degrees, and after the end of the cycle we take it out and squeeze it out with our hands. Thirdly, we repeat the procedure, pouring gel for down jackets into the tray and turning off the spin cycle.

For those who prefer to wash by hand

If there is the slightest doubt that the parka will not survive machine washing, do not take the risk. It's better to wash your jacket by hand. But even here it is important to follow special technology and act in strict sequence.

1. Pour warm water (not higher than 40 degrees) into a suitable basin or bathtub and dissolve in it a powder or gel suitable for outerwear.
2. Shake the water until foam forms.
3. Immerse the item in the solution without pulling it out.
4. Rub particularly dirty areas, such as the collar, the inside of the sleeves, the cuffs, the top of the pockets, and the area around the zipper.

Important! Do not use hard bristled brushes or other hard objects for cleaning.

5. Rinse with warm water in the bath, and then rinse under a cold shower.
6. Straighten the jacket and leave it at the bottom of the bath until the water drains.
7. Wrap in a large terry towel until all remaining liquid is completely absorbed.

If there are stubborn stains, you will have to perform a couple more steps. So, to remove greasy marks, apply a solution of two tablespoons of ammonia and half a liter of water to the contaminated area with a napkin. Gently three for no longer than 3 minutes. Then wipe with clean water using a sponge. A vinegar solution diluted in similar proportions has a similar effect. Another product is dishwashing gel applied to a cotton pad.

What to do with fur elements?

A controversial point will be the fur elements on the parka, since not all fur can withstand machine washing. You still need to clean the edge, so we’ll consider all the available options. Before choosing the appropriate method, let’s find out what kind of fluff, natural or artificial, is provided on the jacket.

If the fur is natural, then any washing, both machine and hand, is prohibited. When completely wet, it loses its protective qualities, volume and color. Therefore, we immediately unfasten it from the hood and pockets. When this is not possible, we act differently: wrap it tightly in cellophane and securely fix it. Getting a few drops is not a big deal, the main thing is to avoid getting too wet. We clean the unfastened edge as follows:

• you need to take starch and low temperature water;
• mix the two ingredients until mushy;
• Apply the mixture evenly to the pile;
• allow to dry completely;
• remove with a soft brush.

Important! Fur should not be dried with a hairdryer, on a radiator or in direct sunlight, nor should it be ironed or cleaned with aggressive household chemicals.

Faux fur can be cleaned in the same way, but unlike its natural counterpart, it can withstand automatic washing. The main thing is to thoroughly comb the edge, returning it to its original splendor. It is recommended to use a spray bottle, a wooden brush and a steamer. To restore shine to fur, you can spray it with lemon juice or walnut oil.

Needs to be dried properly

It is important not only to set the correct degrees and spin cycle on the washing machine, but also to properly dry the washed parka. The external attractiveness of the fabric, size and color will depend on this. To avoid damaging your jacket, it is recommended to keep the following recommendations in mind.

1. Dry only in a “lying” position, without hanging the jacket in the usual way. The optimal solution would be a floor dryer, on which you can lay out the parka and allow the remaining liquid inside to gradually drain.
2. The drying room must be well ventilated or equipped with functioning ventilation. The use of loggias, balconies and streets is allowed.

Important! Avoid exposing your parka to direct ultraviolet rays.

3. Make sure that there are no heating devices or radiators near the wet jacket.
4. Shatter the product regularly and tug at the filler, otherwise it will crumple and fall off.
5. Turn the parka over every 2-3 hours to ensure even drying.

It’s easy to check whether a washed jacket is dry: just squeeze it in your hand and evaluate the surface. A wet spot that appears clearly indicates insufficient drying. As soon as the stain is no longer visible, feel free to turn on the iron at the minimum setting and iron from the inside surface. If the outer side is also very wrinkled, walk over it with a warm sole, not forgetting to place a white cotton cloth.

Washing a parka by hand is much safer, but using an automatic machine correctly, you can speed up the process several times without unnecessary risks. The main thing is to pay attention to the label on the jacket and monitor the spin cycle and water temperature.

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