Our recommendations: how to wash Columbia jackets

Not all Columbia jackets are washable, some can only be dry cleaned. The labels sewn to the wrong side always have tips for caring for the product.

If hand or machine washing is not prohibited, follow the detailed instructions: select the recommended water temperature, spin and dry mode.

Some difficulty can arise when cleaning and drying items with down padding. But in the Columbia product line, there are more and more jackets with new insulation technologies, for which washing in a washing machine or by hand is the norm.

Preparing for washing

The label on Columbia originals is usually in the form of a booklet describing manufacturing techniques. The composition of materials and recommendations for cleaning the jacket are indicated on the labels sewn to the inside of the product.

The most common designations:

1. A basin with numbers inside or without designations - washing in water is allowed. If the icon is empty, there are no temperature limits, while the numbers indicate the recommended temperature.
2. A circle - only chemical treatment is permissible. Cannot be washed.
3. Triangle shows the bleaching resistance of the fabric. The crossed out icon prohibits the use of any type of bleach.
4. Square prompts for the correct drying mode. Strikethrough symbol - do not wring out and tumble dry.
5. Iron icon indicates the ironing mode. The dots inside indicate the permissible temperature of the iron.

Generally for Columbia brand products suitable for washing at a temperature of 30-40 ° C using products intended for down jackets, additional rinsing, hand wringing and drying in a straightened state.

Dry cleaning or regular wash?

If the manufacturer indicated only dry cleaning, then you should not risk it. This is especially true for products with leather or fur details. Yes, it will cost more than cleaning yourself, but buying a new item instead of a damaged one will be even more expensive.

Rules for choosing a dry cleaner:

1. Find out the average price for such services in the region. The low price in the chosen location should be alarming - quality cleaning chemicals cannot be cheap.
2. Find reviews of a selected dry cleaner on websites or chat with customers.The ideal option is a cleaning station that has been in operation for quite some time and has many positive reviews.
3. If possible, you can dry-clean some simpler thing, and then evaluate the result of the work.

In order to save you can buy a dry cleaning agent in the store and treat the product yourself, but this will require at least a little experience and knowledge.

Choice of funds

When washing jackets, consider the following restrictions on the choice of products:

• washing powder does not completely dissolve in water, it is poorly rinsed out, clogs the pores in the fabric, stains are possible after drying;
• bleaches of any kind are strictly prohibited for synthetic materials; after bleaching, clothes may lose their shape (shrink beyond recognition).

Jackets made with the use of a membrane do not tolerate washing powder, automatic spinning and the use of an iron. Not dissolved powder particles clog the pores of the membrane, and at high temperatures it melts and the holes are damaged. Therefore, it is impossible not only to iron, but also to leave the jacket for a long time next to heat sources (heating radiator, heater).

What is the best way to wash? To obtain a guaranteed result, it is advisable to choose liquid gels designed specifically for clothes with a down-based filler. Make sure they are free of bleaching additives. You can also opt for capsules (small bags of gel). It is necessary to select the detergent according to the color: for black or colored materials.

Several detergents suitable for down jackets.

As an alternative you can use sulfate-free hair shampoo... But you need to take a little, about 75 ml per item, since a large amount of shampoo will be difficult to rinse out (it creates little foam, it is difficult to control the rinsing process).

Self wash options

As a rule, the top coat of a Columbia jacket does not get very dirty. Simply wipe the dirty areas with a soft, damp cloth. The main contamination appears on internal surfaces:

• cuffs,
• pockets,
• hem.

Do not use hard brushes or sponges, especially on the outside of impregnated products.

There are several washing options:

• manually;
• in an automatic car;
• processing of individual areas.

If you need to clean only certain areas, you can hang the product over the bath on a hanger. It is important that their size matches the size of the jacket, otherwise the product will be deformed in the shoulder area (ugly swellings will appear).

Where to start?

Preparing for washing:

1. Check your pockets take out all the little things from them.
2. Unfasten fur details... If there is "hanging" fittings, it must be removed or wrapped in a light plain cloth (so as not to fade).
3. Check pockets and lining for tears or ripped seams. Sew everything up neatly.
4. Turn the sleeves and jacket inside out... Fasten everything that fastens (zippers, flaps, straps).
5. If necessary and the instruction allows, treat stains with a valid stain remover.

For products of light or white color, regular manual processing of even small dirt will be relevant. If the dirt is not removed as quickly as possible, it will be difficult to restore the product to its original appearance later on.

Dark jackets are more practical in this regard, but it does not hurt to wipe them from time to time with a damp cloth in the area of ​​cuffs, collars and pockets.

Handwash

The washing container must be large enough to fully unfold the garment. Optimal use of the bath. Soaking for down jackets is optional, but not prohibited. For heavily soiled products, this step is necessary. Stains or particularly stained areas will have to be additionally treated with the soft side of a sponge or cloth..

After washing, hold the jacket over the bathtub for a while so that the soapy water is glass, then rinse. You may have to rinse it several times until there are no soap traces.

There is an automatic machine in the washing machine

You can put the jacket in a special washing net and put 3-4 tennis balls there. They are sold in sports stores. It is advisable to wash old, dirty balls beforehand. When the bag is not in use, you should not put balls in the pockets, just place them in the drum. This is especially true for jackets with down filling - the balls will prevent the padding from falling into lumps.

Sequencing:

• set the mode with the lowest number of revolutions, for example, delicate or hand wash;
• maximum water heating should correspond to the value indicated on the label (usually 30-40 ° C);
• set the option "additional rinse" or run this mode twice;
• spin at the lowest speed (no higher than 600) or completely exclude this operation.

If the spin is disabled, wring out the product in the same way as for hand washing.

Washing the membrane correctly

The Omni-Tech designation indicates the use of a fine pore membrane, which does not allow moisture inside, but at the same time freely removes fumes.

The so-called silver membrane (Omni-Heat) does not allow body heat to pass outside, which makes such models 20% warmer than those made using other technologies.

Washing products with a membrane is no different from washing down jackets, except for the prohibition of automatic spinning. The membrane deteriorates from such mechanical stress. Soaking is also not recommended. For clothes of the spring-autumn season, you can use the "grandmother's" method - a basin of warm water and laundry soap. Only you will have to rinse out very carefully.

Correct washing will not only not damage the membrane, but will also prolong its life. There is only one danger - aggressive processing can break the water-repellent layer and thereby impair or destroy the breathability of the jacket.

That is, attention should be directed to the gentle washing of all other fabrics. The membrane itself, according to the manufacturer, is almost impossible to harm.

We bring to your attention a video about the principles of stripping membrane clothing:

Drying down jackets

It is advisable to drain as much water as possible before hanging the jacket to dry. For this convenient to use any flat lattice surface (for example, a drying rack).

The jacket is straightened horizontally and left over the bathroom for a while. After that, it can be placed on a hanger and hung out to dry. This procedure is especially relevant for down jackets - the filler will not be knocked down so much and will not slide down.

Also, down jackets can be dried horizontally. For example, on a table covered with a large towel or sheet. This will take much longer, but will have a better effect on the condition of the filler.

During drying the product must be shaken regularly by turning it upside down... If possible, you can change the position of the jacket: first, hang it on a hanger, then carefully fasten it to the bottom of the rope.

Membrane jackets can be dried both in the usual way (on a rope or on a hanger), and in a machine in a gentle mode. Manufacturers recommend not leaving clothes for a long time near any heat sources or in the bright sun, this can damage the membrane.

Conclusion

The first step when washing any item is to carefully study the information on the labels. If you can wash it by hand or in a machine, then the result will largely depend on the chosen product, the mode and temperature of the wash, the correct spin (do not twist!) And the care when drying.