（PHOTO: VCG）

By Staff Reporters

While down jackets are commonly used in winter, washing them is troublesome. Let's take a few minutes to learn what is the right way to wash down jackets and how to clean them affordably?

Down jackets are generally filled with duck or goose feather, whose main component is protein fiber. Dry-cleaners mostly use tetrachloroethylene, which harms the down, reducing its fluffiness and affecting its insulation power.

In addition, many down jackets have a waterproof and windproof coating, which is also removed by tetrachloroethylene and the jackets lose their waterproof and windproof ability. Besides, the drying process after dry-cleaning can age the fabric. Therefore, experts don't recommend dry-cleaning down jackets.

To see if your down jacket can be machine-washed, first check if its label says "Do not wash by machine". If the down jacket is washing machine-compatible, follow the washing instructions carefully, selecting the special mode for cleaning down clothes. A drum washing machine is better than a pulsator washing machine, as the latter may cause damage or malfunction when washing down clothes. However, although the former can clean down jackets, it can make the down cluster together and destroy its structure, affecting the insulation.

Most down jackets are best hand-washed to avoid the adverse impact of cleaning agents and washing machines. For hand-washing, down jackets should be soaked in cold water first, and then put in warm water with detergent in it. 

After cleaning, the jacket should not be wrung dry, as it will destroy the down and affect the insulation. The water should be squeezed out gently and the jacket spread out on a dry towel to absorb the remaining water. Exposure to sunlight makes down jackets thinner, so they should be aired in a cool place. After airing, they should be gently patted to restore the fluffiness.