With just 15 minutes of exposure to -18 ° C and a passage in the dryer at 60 ° C for 10 minutes, it is possible to eliminate 99% of the jewelry mites and plaids without damaging the fabrics. A simple, safe and affordable method, also tested by those who live in apartments with balconies on display in the north. No need for frequent washing or expensive treatments: a large freezer and few tricks are enough to obtain surprising results.
There are those who retain down jackets and covered all year round in the closet, and those who pull them out as soon as the first colds arrive. In both cases, however, the same doubt reappears: how sanitize them without ruining them? Washing in the water risks compromising the fibers, especially in natural down jackets or delicate fabrics. And the classic sanitizing sprays? Often they leave little pleasant or residual odors.
Here then the “cold” sanitization It proves to be an unsuspected ally. Also used in the medical field and in the textile laboratories, he uses the power of frost for neutralize mites, mold and bacteria. Without stressing the fibers and with surprising simplicity.
Because the cold really works against mites and bacteria of the duvets
The mites of the dust, invisible to the naked eye, proliferate precisely among the fibers of cushions, down jackets and plaids. They love humidity and temperatures around 20-25 ° C. But to expose them to extreme temperatures, like those of the freezer, makes them inactive and compromises their life cycle. This is not a recent novelty: several scientific studies have shown that the intense cold for at least 12-15 minutes It is sufficient to eliminate over 90% of mites. Better still if accompanied by a subsequent cycle in high temperatures dryer, which completes the work by deactivating any residues.
As often happens, nature already has the solution: frost is a natural preservative, used for centuries to protect foods and fabrics. After all, who has never put the pillow out of the winter window to “refresh it”?
How to put cold sanitification into the house
There are no professional tools, but only a few small tricks. Just a large freezer and some space. The ideal would be to choose dry days to complete the cycle with an outdoor transition.
To start, it’s good carefully fall back the duvet Or the plaid and insert it in a closable plastic bag. This avoids direct contact with food or freezer surfaces.
After the exposure to -18 ° C for at least 15 minutes, the fabric should be “resumed” at room temperature for about 30 minutes. At that point it can be inserted in the dryer at 60 ° C for 10-15 minutes.
Don’t you have the dryer? No problem: you can spread the down jacket in the sun, preferably in central times of the day. UV light has a natural disinfectant effect.
The advantages compared to traditional washing
Compared to a complete washing in the water, the frost method offers several advantages. First of all, avoid the typical mechanical wear of the washing machines. In addition, it does not alter the shape and volume of the padding.
Furthermore, it is a technique a reduced environmental impact: does not consume water, does not require detergents, and reduces the number of annual washing. Also perfect for those suffering from allergies, since it eliminates the most common allergens without adding chemical residues.
After all, those who tried to wash a down jacket in the house know how complicated they are to get a good result: long times, risks of damage, interminable drying.
Needed to sanitize duvets and plaids at home
Before starting, it is useful to organize yourself with everything you need. A few tools are enough, all easily available.
- Large freezer (-18 ° C or lower)
- Retchiudable plastic bags (large, resistant)
- Dryer (with option 60 ° C) or a sunny space
- Clean gloves (to handle the sanitized fabrics)
- Space for ventilation (terrace, balcony or well -ventilated room)
A small trick: if you have more than one plaid or duvet to be treated, plan the rotation in the freezer in advance to optimize the times.
Quick steps for effective sanitization
After preparing all the material, a few steps are enough to complete the sanitization:
- Fold the plaid or the duvet well and insert it in the bag
- Close hermetically the bag and put it in the freezer at -18 ° C
- Wait at least 15 minutesthen extract the bag
- Leave at room temperature for 30 minuteswithout removing it from the sack
- Put in the dryer at 60 ° C for 10-15 minutes or spread to the sun
- Retains in a dry and acknowledged placepreferably with a lavender sachet
Each step is simple, but it must be followed carefully. Effectiveness depends on constancy and correct execution.
Errors to be avoided absolutely with down jackets
Even the simplest methods hide pitfalls. Here are the mistakes not to make:
- Use freezer with temperature above -15 ° C
- Remove the duvet from the sack after the frost immediately
- Skip the passage in the dryer or the sun
- Use not clean or too small bags
- Keep wet fabrics or in closed environments
After all, a trivial error is enough to cancel the effectiveness of the treatment. Better to take a few more minutes than to find yourself with a plaid infested with mites.
When to do it and every how much to repeat it
The ideal time to sanitize duvets and plaids is At the beginning and end of the cold season. But nothing prevents you from doing it more often, especially in case of allergies or intense use.
Those who live with pets or have small children could find useful to repeat the procedure every 2-3 months. It is not necessary to wash every time, but maintaining a frost exposure routine helps prevent infestations.
Better to avoid wet or rainy days: humidity reduces the effectiveness of the final phase. Ideal are the dry and bright days, even in winter.
A simple gesture that makes the difference
Sanitify down jackets and plaids is not just a matter of hygiene: it is also a way to extend its life and keep them soft and fragrant over time. A small gesture, but which returns tangible comfort to each use.
In an increasingly attentive world to sustainability and domestic health, even the simplest habits can make a difference. And this, really, is within anyone’s reach.
All that remains is to try it.
Photo © Stock.adobe
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