If your down jacket is clumpy after washing and feels flat and empty, don't worry, you can fix it.
First, let's clarify what a down jacket is and what exactly is in it. A down jacket is a jacket that has been insulated with the soft and warm underfeathers of ducks or geese. Down is a fantastic insulator because the fluffiness of the feathers creates thousands of tiny air pockets that trap warm air and retain heat, keeping the wearer very warm in cold winter weather. The down filling of a jacket consists of either goose down, duck down, or a combination of both. Any down jacket that uses one of these feathers will keep you warm, with duck feathers or a combination of duck and goose down often being cheaper.
So, back to the question – did your down jacket get clumpy after washing? Before you panic, read these questions and answers to find out if she's still salvageable:
1. Have you washed your down jacket at over 40 degrees Celsius? If yes, then there is a possibility that you have damaged your down jacket.
2. Did you dry your jacket at more than 40 degrees Celsius? If yes, there is a possibility that you have damaged your down jacket.
3. Have you used an organic detergent? If so, then you haven't ruined them, but you may have reduced their performance.
4. Have you used fabric softener? If so, then you haven't ruined the jacket, but you may have reduced its performance.
If you washed your down jacket on a low setting (below 40ºC) with a down-specific detergent and tumble dried it on a low setting (below 30ºC), you should not worry. Here are three easy ways to save a clumpy down jacket after washing.
Separate by hand
The quickest way to fix a lumpy down jacket is to do it by hand. You need to go around each individual clump of down and gently fluff it up and push it apart through the outer shell and inner lining. Once the springs are loosened, you can gradually distribute them over the baffle plate. Here is the 10-step guide you can apply:
- Make sure the down jacket is completely dry by using a dryer and tennis balls or dryer balls.
- Start with the largest baffles, which are often around the neck or lower body.
- Pinch the down bundle from the outside with one hand
- Then, with your other hand, pinch the same clump of down from the inside of the jacket
- Gently pull the down apart into smaller and smaller clumps.
- Be careful not to damage the case and lining by pressing and pinching too hard.
- Once the down is separated, use your finger and thumb to coax small amounts into the empty sections of the diverters.
- Repeat this process until the baffle feels evenly filled and there are no hard lumps left.
- Then repeat steps 3 to 8 and work your way to the other distractions.
- When you're finished, shake your jacket in all directions to get maximum loft.
Your jacket should now look better than before because it is now clean. The whole process is quicker than you think and takes between 20 minutes and an hour. To make sure all the feathers are evenly distributed, hold the jacket up to the light to see where the insulation is.
Wash and dry again
If you're convinced you've made a mistake by not using a dryer or using the wrong fabric cleaner, sometimes it's best to just start over. To do this, you need to take certain stepsHow to wash and dry a down jacketto reduce clumping. Even if you have done this, you may still need to spread the insulation again by hand.
Down jacket clumps together after washing – take it to a professional
The other thing you can do if you don't mind spending a bit of money and waiting a few days for your down jacket to be returned is to take it to a professional. You can try asking your local dry cleaner, messaging the manufacturer, or looking for a specialized repairer. If your jacket is expensive, you should choose this option, but be warned, not everyone knows what they are doing.
