How to Clean a Down Ski Jacket Run Over by Car

Table of Contents:

You Will Need
Steps to Remove the Stain
Additional Tips and Advice

Val asked: How do I clean a down ski jacket that was run over by a car? I have a beige, down-filled, 100% polyester outer ski jacket that was driven over by a car and now has black tire tracks on it. I just sprayed it with Spray ‘n Wash and washed it in cold water. The stains did not come out. I thought maybe I could use Lestoil or OxiClean. What do you think? Thanks so much.

Getting heavy oil or greasy stains out of clothing isn’t difficult with the right product. To clean a jacket with tire tracks on it, opt for one designed specifically to remove these types of stains. All purpose stain cleaners may work, but your best bet is to choose one made for this type of job.

You Will Need:

Soilove Laundry Treatment or Lestoil
Brush (an old toothbrush will do)
Biokleen Laundry Detergent or other residue free detergent
Washing machine

Steps to Remove the Stain:

Before cleaning any stains, spot test any cleaning products to ensure they do not affect the texture or color of the coat.
Following the label directions, pre-treat the stains with Soilove or Lestoil.
Remove any loose debris by scrubbing with a brush. This also helps the stain cleaner to penetrate the fabric.
Wash the jacket in a residue free laundry detergent, or your regular detergent.
After the jacket comes out of the wash, check to see if the stain is gone. If it’s not, repeat the first two steps.
Once the stain is gone, dry as usual.

Additional Tips and Advice

Do not dry the jacket n the dryer until the stain is out. Drying it before the stain is gone will set the stain, making it more difficult to remove.
Only use residue free laundry detergent on ski jackets. Most are protected by DWR (durable water protectant) and another type of laundry detergent will damage this finish. Residue free detergents also fluff the jacket back up to keep it looking and feeling its best.