Wash and dry a down jacket: we show you how to do it with instructions and tips.
No winter without them:Down jackets and coatsare the stars in thingsand reliably protect us from cold and moisture in the cold season. To ensure that the jacket's cuddly factor remains high for a long time and that the down retains its insulating properties, the right one is the right choiceCare and cleaningimportant. Normally it is completely sufficientDown jacketsair them regularly instead of washing them. Smaller stains on the jacket can be removed with a damp sponge and a little mild detergent. But what if the warm jacket really needs to be put in the washing machine to be washed? And how do you get them extra fluffy again after washing? Below you will find everything you need to know about the topic“Wash and dry a down jacket” – including tips on how to make it fluffy again, even without tennis balls or a dryer!
This is important to consider before washing
Down jackets and coats should always be washed alone (i.e. without other items in the machine) because the down needs space to spread out optimally.
Read care instructions in the label:Before you wash your down jacket, check the label. There you will find information about the washing program, the temperature and whether the jacket is suitable for the dryer.
Closing zippers and Velcro fasteners:Before washing in the washing machine, all zippers and Velcro fasteners must be removedclosed to avoid tears and holes in the fabric during washing. Otherwise, the jacket may lose its down after cleaning. Any removable parts such as faux fur trims or belts should also be removed.
Down jacket: The right washing method
After the preparation, the actual washing cycle follows, which is easy to do if you follow our tips:
Which detergent should be used?
Since the ingredients in normal detergents break down proteins, they are not suitable for cleaning and caring for down jackets - like hair, down consists of the protein keratin, which in turn is made up of protein and amino acids. Special down detergents protect the downin the washing machine and return the required amount of fat to the fine feathers. In addition, down detergents prevent the feathers from clumping and waterproof them at the same time. You should not use fabric softener when washing.
Which program and which temperature are ideal?
Down jackets are best washed in the washing machine with a high water level and a low drum movement. Programs such as “delicate wash” or “wool wash” at a maximum of 40 degrees are best for washing.
Should the down jacket be spun?
Down jackets absorb a lot of water when washed in the washing machine, so they should definitely be spun (sometimes even twice) - but with a gentle spin cycle of a maximum of 400 revolutions per minute so that the down jacket is not damaged.
Drying down jackets: This keeps them fluffy
Washing a down jacket correctly in the machine is important - but it is even more important to dry it optimally. Only dry down puffs up again, creating volume in the outdoor jacket and keeping us reliably warm.
Drying in the dryer: Which program is suitable?
It is therefore best to always dry down jackets in the tumble dryer at a low temperature (cold air or up to a maximum of 40 degrees). Sufficient space is also important - that's why it's best to dry the down jacket in the dryer without other items of laundry.
Prevent clumping: This keeps the down jacket fluffy
To prevent the down from clumping togetherTo prevent this, it is best to add two tennis balls to the tumble dryer. The tennis balls ensure movement and an even distribution of the feathers in the jacket. Some brands also offer extra dryer balls, to which these are a good alternative.
Loosen up occasionally
Pause the drying process occasionally and gently shake the jacket up. This helps to break up clumps and distribute the feathers evenly.
Drying a down jacket without a dryer: is that even possible?
Yes, that is also possible! Spread the jacket flat on a drying rack and shake it up frequently to loosen any clumps. This process takes longer, but is gentle on the down.
