How to wash bio down

Bio-down is a biopolymer, down jackets from which are perfectly warm and at the same time are light, thin, easy to care for. It is often used for the production of other products. This material can be washed both by hand and in the machine. At the same time, there are a number of rules, following which, you will retain the original appearance of the product for a long time.

What is bio down

Bio-down was invented «by mistake» in the 1970s and was later used to make clothes for American astronauts. After revealing the unique properties of this material, it began to be actively used for other purposes.

Bio-down is a new generation of insulation. It was used for sewing clothes and sleeping bags for people who lived in the Northern regions, and for polar explorers. However, today it is often found in ordinary down jackets, in fishing and hunting clothes, in fillers for blankets, pillows and children’s toys.

This eco-friendly material is hypoallergenic, resistant to deformation, moisture and wear. With proper care, it does not roll, does not crumple. Bio-down retains volume for a long time, resistant to dust mites and mold. Its drying is carried out in natural conditions and takes a minimum of time.

There are also disadvantages: this material does not tolerate high temperatures well, and also accumulates static electricity. It is flammable, has a reduced hygroscopicity and is more expensive than regular fluff.

General recommendations

The optimum temperature for washing the product is 30-40 ° C. If you set the temperature lower, then you will not be able to get rid of contaminants, and if it is higher, then the filler will roll down.

Gel powder is a suitable product, as standard dry powder results in white spots and unsightly streaks. Special detergents for washing down and woolen products are suitable, since they do not contain sodium perborate, which provides a more acidic environment, since an alkaline environment risks destroying bio-down fibers.

Do not use bleach or conditioner.

Be sure to read the information on the product label. The manufacturer indicates the maximum temperature of the water for washing, the ability to wash the product in a typewriter and use an iron. So, if the label shows an image of a basin with a palm, then such a product can only be washed by hand, and if the basin is crossed out, then you will have to be content with dry cleaning or dry cleaning.

Preparatory actions

1. If there is an edge on the hood, remove it. The same applies to any removable fittings.

2. If there are heavily soiled spots on the surface of the jacket, wash them with laundry soap. Also, soft brushes and sponges do well with strong dirt.

3. Products made from bio-down cannot be soaked.

4. This completes the preparatory steps.

How to wash bio-down in the machine

You should not add any other things to a product with bio-down. If there is free space, this is good: the clothes will be better washed, the remnants of detergents will be completely eliminated.

Procedure:

1. Select the «Delicate», «Hand wash», «For wool» or «For silk» mode.
2. Turn off the spin, and a suitable number of revolutions is 600 (otherwise the filler runs the risk of going astray).
3. Install rinse. If, in addition to the powder, you add another detergent, then you need to rinse the item at least 2 times.
4. Turn the product inside out, fasten all zippers.
5. Put the clothes in the drum and add 2-3 tennis balls inside. You can also use plastic balls.

Plastic balls are designed specifically for washing things with fillers — you can find them in hardware stores. These balls prevent the fluff from clumping into lumps, and also enhance the effect of the gel or other detergent. During the rinsing process, they completely eliminate detergent residues, which prevents the formation of unsightly stains.

Attention! Do not wash your bio-down product in the machine too often, otherwise it will wear out faster.

How to wash bio down by hand

Washing products with bio-down by hand is more laborious, since a wet down jacket becomes heavier, which makes washing and rinsing more difficult. But still, hand washing is the most gentle and careful way to clean the product from contamination.

1. First of all, you need to shake the down jacket to rid it of dust, and then check the pockets, fasten the zippers, unhook the fur trim, turn the jacket inside out.

2. The next step is to wash heavy soiling using a soft sponge and soap. Pre-soaking of the product is not allowed. Fill the tub with warm water and add a suitable detergent.

3. Wash the down jacket, clean the soiled areas with a sponge and rinse it several times in clean water. It is necessary to ensure that the water after rinsing becomes completely transparent.

Drying Features

1. Carefully wring out the product so as not to deform it. It is impossible to twist the jacket strongly, otherwise the fluff will crumple. It is enough to put a down jacket on the bottom of the bath for 20-30 minutes so that the water glass naturally.

2. Next, you need to place the thing on the floor dryer, spreading out the rags at the bottom. This is necessary in order to get rid of the main part of the moisture. Then the down jacket must be hung on a coat hanger — in no case bent in half, otherwise even an iron will not be able to cope with the creases that have appeared.

3. Then it is enough to place the product in a dry, cool room, away from heating appliances. If the down jacket is dried on the street, then it should not be in direct sunlight.

4. If bio-down pillows have been washed, then they should be dried in a horizontal position — on a metal dryer or on the surface of several ropes on the balcony. Turn them over every 1-2 hours to ensure even drying.

5. On average, bio-down dries completely in 3-4 hours. In order to speed up the drying process, you can place the product in a dryer by selecting the «For down products» mode. If this mode is not available, just set the minimum temperature.

6. After the down jacket is completely dry, you need to gently fluff it. This will straighten the filler and give the jacket the appropriate shape. Then the product can be ironed by putting gauze on top. Instead of an iron, you can use a steamer — this will preserve the integrity of the top layer of the fabric and the filler itself.

Products made from bio-down should be stored in a closet in a straightened form, and in the off-season, a cover should be put on it to protect it from dust. Vacuum bags cannot be used — otherwise creases will appear on the down jacket.