Knitted items are always popular, and a down scarf can decorate any woman. This delicate openwork product not only warms, but also helps to create a unique image.
True, if you don’t know how to wash it, it won’t last long. If not properly cared for, down items lose their attractiveness, become deformed, and the down falls off. But this can be avoided if you follow washing tips and tricks.
We'll tell you in this article how to wash a goat's down scarf at home, by hand and in a washing machine.
Is it possible?
The less often down scarves are washed, the longer they last. Therefore, you need to use them carefully.
After putting it on, hide it in a closet to avoid dust, do not wear it in rainy weather. When wearing it, you should try not to get it dirty, then you will need to wash it less often.
Do not immediately wash the item if a small stain appears . From frequent washing it will lose its appearance and become deformed.
Therefore, it is better to carefully wash the stain with baby soap or a folk remedy suitable for such materials. For example, an aspirin tablet dissolved in water helps with blood stains.
It is not recommended to immediately wash such a product if it has been splashed on the street by a car. It is better to wait until the dirt dries, then carefully remove it with a soft sponge .
Washing is definitely required if the scarf gives off an unpleasant odor, or if it is very dirty and matted.
Nowadays, rarely do people wash by hand, as it is considered more convenient to use a machine. But for a down scarf it is better to deviate from this rule.
Even with the delicate mode, it will roll over the drum of the machine and be exposed to water for a long time . Therefore, it is recommended to use this method as a last resort and only for dense items.
How to choose a detergent?
It is unacceptable to use aggressive substances or bleaches. It is best to choose liquid or gel products, as they are gentle on fabrics and are easier to rinse. They contain a minimal amount of harmful substances, surfactants, and enzymes.
There are several options for such funds:
Perwoll is gentle on any fabric and is suitable for wool;- Frosch - a balm based on wheat fiber, milk protein and herbs, helps prevent the formation of pellets;
- Sonett contains natural oils and plant extracts;
- Ecover washes well at low temperatures and does not contain aggressive substances.
You can also use any good shampoo or make a solution from baby soap. But these methods have a drawback - they are difficult to rinse.
Washing recommendations and possible errors
A down scarf should be washed and rinsed at the same temperature. It is especially important to take this into account when machine washing - you cannot set it more than 30 degrees.
Hot water causes the fluff to fall off. But it’s also not advisable to wash with cold water, it simply won’t wash away the dirt.
People often make mistakes when washing down products. They lead to stretching of the item, deformation of the pattern, and the disappearance or shedding of fluff.
You need to know what is not recommended to do:
- wash in hot water;
- use washing powder or bleach;
- pour detergent onto the handkerchief;
- rub, pull the fabric, brush;
- twist or lift by the ends;
- place the item under running water.
How to wash down scarves at home
Handwash
A down scarf should be washed by hand in water at room temperature. The water temperature should be no more than 30 - 35 degrees. In cold water the item will not stretch, but in hot water it will shrink.
Let's prepare the container. It must be voluminous and deep so that the item can freely submerge in water. You should forget about running water. We use liquid detergents for silk and wool products. You can take the shampoo you use or liquid soap.
It is important to remember that the product you choose should not contain dyes or strong fragrances and is suitable for washing white and colored laundry.
We dissolve a small amount of the product in prepared water and only after that we lower our accessory into it. We wash it with both hands, gently squeezing it lightly, like a sponge. Leave to soak for 20 – 30 minutes. After this, we will repeat the entire procedure.
You cannot pull the item by the ends or take it out of the water with one hand. This can deform it or pull out the loops and the pattern will be broken.
We rinse in several waters at the same temperature. You can add a little vinegar or citric acid to the penultimate rinse - this will give the item shine and elasticity.
Add silk and wool conditioner or hair conditioner that you use yourself to the last water. This will saturate the fluff with lanolin, which is necessary to soften it. You can squeeze the item through a towel without stretching it by folding it and rolling the towel into a roller. You can’t twist it like regular linen: it will ruin the pattern.
Features of washing in a washing machine
Knowing how to wash a down scarf and any goat down products by hand, let's now discuss an alternative method. Is it possible to wash it in an automatic machine? Of course this is acceptable. But be sure to use a laundry cover to avoid contact with the walls of the drum.
It is necessary to select the optimal mode: “manual”, “wool”, water temperature no higher than 35 degrees and turn off “spin”.
Granular washing powders and capsules should not be used. And remember: you can spin your favorite accessory in the washing machine, but this is a big risk. It is impossible to control such a procedure, and your item may lose its original appearance.
How to wash a spider web shawl
A spider web shawl is a type of shawl knitted with openwork knitting from the finest yarn. You can take care of them in the same ways. The above describes in detail how to properly wash a down scarf. We comb the fluff on the shawl, preparing it for washing. We wash by hand, pouring water at room temperature into a large container, using the same washing and rinsing products.
Now that we know how to wash a goat down shawl, we will describe the drying process in detail.
Preparation for the process
Before washing, the product must be properly prepared. First, it is recommended to comb it thoroughly . To do this, take a comb with wooden teeth.
All fluff needs to be untangled and then combed. Do not touch the loops to avoid snagging the thread. This step is very important; when washing, the fluff may fall off even more, and then it will be impossible to comb it.
After this, it is recommended to soak the shawl for 20 minutes . This will help get rid of accumulated dust. If necessary, stains must be removed first. This process must also be gentle: do not use brushes, rub too hard with your hands, or stretch the fabric.
After soaking, it is recommended to drain the dirty water and dilute new water for washing.
Step-by-step instruction
After preparation, proceed to washing. It's better to do it by hand. In the car, a shawl, even one made of thick fluff, can become deformed .
Manually
It is advisable to wash in cool water, with a temperature of up to 300. First, you need to dissolve the detergent in a deep basin according to the instructions.
Then start washing:
Dip the scarf into water. If there was no preliminary soaking, let it lie in the solution for 5 minutes.- Using gentle movements reminiscent of making snowballs, squeeze it in your hands.
- When rinsing, perform the same movements. To remove the detergent completely, you need to change 5-6 waters.
- Add a little conditioner during the last rinse. Instead, you can use 1 tbsp. vinegar per 5 liters of water.
- You need to remove the scarf from the basin by first crumpling it into a ball and squeezing out the water. Then put it in a mesh bag and hang it over the sink.
In the washing machine
If you don’t have time or don’t want to bother with hand washing, you can do it in the machine. But you need to immediately prepare for the fact that the item may be damaged.
What are the washing rules?
- select a mode, some models have a special program for wool;
- do not turn on the heating or select the lowest temperature - up to 30;
- turn off spin;
- do not use automatic drying;
- add detergent and conditioner;
- put the item in the drum, having previously packed it in a bag.
"Snow" cleaning
You can refresh a not very dirty scarf in winter on freshly fallen snow. To do this, choose a clean place away from roads, lay out the product, and sprinkle snow on top. The scarf should lie for 20-30 minutes.
In the city, you can hang it on the balcony during snowfall . After half an hour, shake off the snow and comb.
You just need to do this on a frosty day so that it doesn’t melt. This cleaning will refresh the color and give it a pleasant aroma.
How to wash a down shawl at home
In order to wash a downy cobweb scarf at home, you need to allocate a certain amount of time for this, since such a process is very labor-intensive. You should approach it with the utmost reverence and care. After preliminary preparation of the product, you should make sure that you have a suitable cleaning agent for this process, and also think in advance about the method of drying the shawl.
We recommend reading: Carpet: can it be washed in a washing machine, rules for washing at home
In the washing machine
You should resort to the process of washing a shawl in an automatic washing machine only if it is not possible to carry out this process manually.
Advice! In order to wash a down shawl in a washing machine, it is recommended to use a garment cover specially designed for washing items. This will provide additional protection for the scarf from possible damage during the process of removing dirt and from knocking down fluff fibers into lumps.
The sequence of actions in order to wash a shawl in a washing machine should be as follows:
- perform all manipulations to prepare the shawl for cleaning;
- Before placing the shawl in the drum of the washing machine, you should put the scarf in a pre-prepared cover;
- pour the required amount of liquid cleaning agent into the powder container, specifically designed to remove stains from woolen products, in the amount indicated on the instructions for the product;
- in order to wash a shawl, it is important to set the machine to the “Delicate Wash” mode: the temperature should not exceed 30 degrees Celsius;
- It is also recommended to use the double rinse function;
- The “Spin” mode should be completely disabled.
Important! In order to properly wash a down cape in a washing machine and not cause harm to the product, you should carry out the process of removing dirt individually only from this item.
After the washing machine cycle has completed, you should leave the item in the drum of the machine for a short time so that excess moisture is removed from the item. After this, you need to proceed directly to the drying process.
Manually
To wash a wool scarf at home, the most acceptable option is to process the item manually.
Advice! In order to wash the cape with the highest quality, it is necessary that the volume of water in which the entire process of removing dirt occurs exceeds the volume of the shawl by at least 4 times.
In addition, it should be taken into account that cleaning should take place in water whose temperature does not exceed 30 degrees, since hot water will inevitably cause damage to the item due to fluff rolling into lumps.
To wash a down scarf by hand you need to:
- Pre-soak the item in water (no more than 20 minutes). This will make washing much easier. However, it is important to observe the specified time interval, since exceeding it may cause the fluff to begin to separate from the threads of the product, which will cause its damage;
- The selected cleaning component cannot be poured directly onto the item: it is necessary to evenly distribute it in water and only then immerse the down item in the container;
- In order to properly wash the cape, you should make soft and smooth, pressing movements. At the same time, it must not be crushed or the product twisted. Otherwise, the thing will simply lose its shape;
- It is necessary to rinse the product from the cleaning composition in at least five waters. At the same time, it is strictly not recommended to expose it to water pressure and rinse it;
- At the end of rinsing the down shawl, to give its fibers volume, you should add one of the following products to choose from: fabric softener; 1 tbsp. l. acetic acid for every liter of water; freshly squeezed lemon juice;
- Before you start drying your down shawl, you need to wait about half an hour so that all the excess liquid leaves the product.
Recommended reading: How to sew up a hole in the butt of jeans: useful life hacks
To wash a downy white scarf, you need to choose a cleaning agent that is suitable for removing dirt from white and woolen items at the same time.
Important! In order to wash your down cape as efficiently and carefully as possible, you should try to maintain the same water temperature throughout the entire washing and rinsing process. Different temperatures can negatively affect the structure of the down fibers and the subsequent strength of the product.
Features for different types of products
Down scarves come in different varieties. The most common option is Orenburg. There are also varieties knitted from a thin thread with openwork knitting - cobwebs.
There are certain washing rules for different products:
- It is advisable to soak a white scarf for 5 hours in a solution of hydrogen peroxide. When washing, it is better to use products with bleach, but without chlorine.
- The most difficult thing to wash is the web scarf. After combing, you need to soak it in a soapy solution for half an hour. Shake the basin periodically. Without squeezing, place the handkerchief in a net so that all the water drains out. After an hour, rinse with gentle movements in 2 waters. It is recommended to put the damp item in the freezer for 5 hours.
- When washing a Pavloposad wool scarf, it is not recommended to use soaking. It is better to reduce contact with water.
- The thick Orenburg shawl is usually gray in color. It seems easier to wash, but it can also become deformed if not washed correctly. To preserve the fluff, it is recommended to put the still damp item in the freezer for 5 hours. After this, the scarf will become fluffier.
What substances harm the product?
You can wash your shawl only with mild detergents – liquid soap or gel. Washing powder with optical brightener is not recommended; its solid particles are difficult to remove from the fibers when rinsing. The powder will make the item hard and pellets will form. To remove old stains, do not use products containing chlorine or professional stain removers. Aggressive substances can destroy thin threads, making a hole, then the product will have to be thrown away. Using laundry soap, even in the form of shavings, negatively affects the color. Yellowness will appear, causing the item to lose its attractiveness. Exposure to alkali causes the delicate material to become thinner.
Improper drying and prolonged exposure to sunlight can be harmful. Vertical drying near heat sources can lead to loss of shape, creates a fire hazard, and is easily flammable. And sunlight causes the color to fade.
Cleaning can only take place at home; detergents used in professional dry cleaners are not suitable for such delicate fabrics. The sequence of actions should be strictly followed: carefully prepare the product before the procedure, select the appropriate product, rinse and dry. If you follow the rules and treat them with care, the washed item will become like new and will delight you with soft, fluffy snow-white fluff for a long time.
The article has been verified by the editors
How to bleach correctly?
If a white scarf has yellowed or lost color, it can be bleached. But you can only use folk remedies for this. Do not use bleach, especially with chlorine.
There are several safe ways to whiten:
If there are individual stains, they are removed with acetylsalicylic acid. Dissolve aspirin in water and gently rub the paste into the stain.- Pour 10 liters of warm water into a basin, add hydrogen peroxide. You will need 100 ml for every 500 g of product weight. You can add 50 ml of alcohol. Soak the scarf in the resulting solution for 5 hours.
- Dissolve hydroperite in the same amount of water at the rate of 5 tablets per 100 g. Add 50 ml of ammonia. Soak overnight.
How to dry?
To prevent the scarf from becoming deformed, it is also important to dry it properly. First you need to wait until all the water has drained. To do this, it is placed in a net and suspended above the bathtub or sink.
Then blot the product with a fluffy towel to remove any remaining water. Only after this the wet item is dried. This can be done on a special frame or without it .
You can dry a down scarf only in a horizontal position, away from heating appliances.
On the frame
Scarves that are dried on a special wooden frame retain their shape and pattern best.
It must be made according to size and shape. Drive small nails along the edge at a distance of no more than 10 cm from each other.
If a frame is used for drying, you need to thread a fishing line or thick thread into the teeth of the scarf before washing . Then the wet product is pulled onto the frame, putting the fishing line on the nails. This should be done by straightening the scarf evenly. Leave it like this until it dries.
Using a towel
If there is no frame, you can dry the scarf without it. After the water has drained, it is recommended to collect excess moisture by wrapping it several times in dry towels .
Then spread a sheet or large towel on a flat surface and lay out the scarf, straightening all the edges well. You can also put a clean cloth on top.
From time to time it is recommended to change the sheets for dry ones, and shake the scarf and lay it out evenly again.
How to properly wash a down scarf
You can wash such a delicate item manually or in an automatic machine. But the first method is considered more preferable, since the likelihood of damaging the structure in this case is minimal.
How to wash a down scarf by hand
To carry out manual cleaning, you need to prepare a deep basin. The volume must be sufficient so that the product can be freely loaded into it. This cleaning method is used if it is necessary to wash downy web scarves, which require more careful care.
Algorithm of actions:
- Take water with a temperature of no more than 30-35 degrees.
- Add detergent and mix until a homogeneous solution is obtained.
- Immerse the item until the liquid completely covers it.
- Lightly knead with gentle movements.
- Leave it like this for half an hour.
- At the end of the time, re-punch the product.
- After this, gather into one lump without squeezing or twisting.
- Allow excess water to drain.
- Then rinse several times until any remaining detergent is gone.
Despite the fact that hand washing is gentle, it should be done infrequently so as not to spoil the appearance of your favorite item. It is important to use water at the same temperature when cleaning and rinsing.
How to wash a down scarf in a washing machine
If necessary, you can wash the product in automatic mode. But this should be done in exceptional cases, since this method can lead to deformation.
Important! The down scarf must be machine washed separately from other items.
Algorithm of actions:
- First place the item in a special bag, which will prevent it from rubbing against the drum.
- Pour detergent and conditioner into the machine compartments.
- Set the “Delicate” mode and heat the water to 30 degrees.
- Turn off spin completely.
- Turn on the wash.
- After turning off the machine, hang the item in a bag over a bathtub or basin to drain the water.
