What to do if fluff comes out of your down jacket?

You bought a fashionable down jacket, but fluff started coming out of it? Don't worry, there are ways to deal with this problem. We will talk about them now.

Reasons for fluff coming out

One of the reasons for the appearance of fluff on a product is poorly sewn seams. When sewing the product, technology was violated; a thin thread was used, which becomes thinner and stretches over time. As a result, fluff comes out through the cracks formed. If you notice down on the inner lining of the product, then you purchased a down jacket with a single lining instead of the required double lining.. Or the manufacturer used too thin fabric for the lining, which thins even more when the product is worn and washed. In addition, one of the reasons is improper care of the fabric.

Most consumers, without looking at the label, wash their down jacket in the machine, without using the “delicate wash” mode. Over time, the product becomes unusable, the down begins to roll off, the seams stretch, and fluff appears on the lining and front side of the down jacket.

How to repair a down jacket?

If you damage the fabric of your down jacket, the item can be repaired. If damage appears on the inside, carefully mend it. If the outer visible side is damaged, the product must be sent to the studio for repair.

Solutions to the problem

To fix the problem, rather than throw an expensive item in the trash, use some practical advice. You don’t need to use them all at once; perhaps one of the following methods will help you:

• Shake the down jacket well and spray it with antistatic agent;
• try using a vacuum cleaner to remove excess lint;
• treat the lining of the product with hairspray, let it dry, and then shake the down jacket;
• change the lining or reinforce it with another durable layer of fabric;
• wash the down jacket in a solution of water and glue (proportion 1 liter of water per 30 grams of glue).

How to strengthen the seams?

To strengthen the seams, they can be sprayed with varnish, coated with glue, stitched with a satin ribbon, or stitched using a sewing machine. The first two methods are not durable, and the third will help get rid of lint for a long time, but you can use it yourself if you have sewing skills. Otherwise, you need to take the item to the studio. Another way is to use wax. Light a wax candle, and apply the melted wax flowing from it with a cotton swab to all seams.

Should I update the lining? How to strengthen it?

If you notice the appearance of fluff breaking through from the inside, you can update the lining to get rid of the defect. You can do this yourself or take the item to a studio. There are several options for what to do:

• sew a second lining;
• replace the lining.

If you decide to sew on a second lining, you don't have to remove the first one.Sew a thicker fabric made of teak or percale on top of it. Thanks to it, the fluff will remain between the two linings.

If you want the feather to remain inside the down jacket, you need to completely replace the lining, which must be torn off, separating the back, shelves and sleeves. The difficulty with this method is that after replacement, the down must be evenly distributed between the lining and the main fabric.

How to treat a down jacket to prevent feathers from coming out?

Another option for treating a down jacket is hairspray. Spray a thin layer of varnish over all seams, this will help strengthen the threads and seal all the cracks. The work is painstaking, but this method is quite popular. When spraying, keep the can as close to the seam as possible so that the varnish does not get on the main fabric, otherwise the material will become stiff and sticky. Unfortunately, this method is not durable, after several washes the varnish will wash out and the procedure will have to be repeated.

What can I do to prevent this?

When wearing down products, it is very important to take proper care of them:

• wear a down jacket carefully;
• wash at a certain temperature;
• do not soak the product before washing;
• dry in a horizontal position;
• do not use chemical washing or steam treatment;
• In summer, store in a special cotton bag.

How to wash?

Most down jackets can be machine washed, but you need to be smart about the process. First, you need to choose the right washing mode: “delicate wash” or “down.” Other modes are not intended for washing down products. Secondly, instead of hard washing powder, you need to use a liquid laundry detergent that will not damage the fabric. Thirdly, use a gentle spin mode at low speeds. When washing by hand, it is not recommended to soak the down jacket for a long time. In addition, the seams and fabric may be damaged if you clean them with a hard brush.

How to dry?

You cannot dry a down jacket on a hanger or on a clothesline. Down and feather products should be dried in a horizontal position. Carefully lay the product on a large terry towel. Straighten out the sleeves and all folds. With such drying, the fluff will not crumple, but will be evenly distributed throughout the entire product. After the down jacket has dried, shake it well and only then put it on.

Is this a marriage?

Yes, the fluff coming out of the jacket may well be a defect. If fluff appears not in the seams, but on top of the material, it means that the manufacturer used low-quality fabric to sew the product. But you can prove the defect only if you noticed fluff immediately after purchase, that is, the product was not washed, steamed or dry cleaned. Then you can return the product to the store or order an independent examination to evaluate the defect.

How to determine before purchasing that the seams are of poor quality?

Carefully inspect the seams before purchasing the product. If you see that threads are sticking out of them, cracks are visible between the seams, from which feathers are already visible, you have a low-quality item. Take the product in your hands and shake it thoroughly to see what happens to the fluff. In addition, the quality of the threads can be determined by touch. The stronger and more elastic the thread, the greater the likelihood that the down jacket is stitched properly.