It is a common misconception that you cannot wash your down jacket at home but should take it to the dry cleaner, but this is not true. Any type of down clothing, be it a cardigan, jacket, coat or sleeping bag, can be washed at home if you know how, and that's exactly what you'll learn in this article. You'll also learn what to do if your down jacket is flat after washing and how to dry it properly.
Why is washing your down jacket regularly important?
Aside from getting it clean when it's visibly dirty, washing a down jacket regularly plays an important role in extending its lifespan and maintaining its insulating properties.
First, when down clothing is dirty, it absorbs moisture more easily. This means that the jacket loses some of its “puffiness”. This is a big problem because thanks to this puffiness, the warm air gets trapped around your body and keeps you warm.
Second, if the down gets dirty, especially if it gets wet, mold and bacteria can grow.
Ultimately, wearing the jacket regularly will inevitably cause the down to become denser, meaning it will no longer keep you as warm or protect you from moisture. Proper washing will help the jacket become fluffy again.
Instructions on how to wash a down jacket in the washing machine
Can you clean a down garment in the washing machine without ruining it? Yes, you can. We will show you step by step how to wash the down jacket correctly.
What you need:
- A special down detergent: Do not use regular detergent as it strips the natural oils from the down feathers and makes them more vulnerable to moisture.
- Dryer balls or 3-4 tennis balls: Your down jacket is flat after washing? Enter a fewTennisball in the dryer.The pressure causes the down to return to its original shape.
- A dryer: Air drying down clothing not only takes a long time, but also causes the feathers to dry in clumps.
Step 1 – Pre-Treat the Stains: If there are stains on your jacket or a buildup of sweat and body oil, as is often the case near the chin and neck, you need to treat them first. Soak the stains and brush them with laundry soap or a stain remover to remove them. Don't forget to rinse this area thoroughly before putting the jacket in the washing machine.
Step 2 – The wash cycle: Make sure the detergent compartment has been cleaned thoroughly. Close all zippers and Velcro to ensure nothing gets caught on the jacket's lining. It is best to turn the jacket inside out. Set the washing machine to a low/low temperature for delicates or wool. Set the machine to the slowest/longest spin cycle a few times to ensure there are no detergent residue left in the down.
Tip: Front-loading or top-loading machine? To wash down clothing, it is better to use a front-loading machine. Top-loading washing machines have an agitator that can damage the material of the jacket. If you have no other option, you can wash a jacket in a top loader, just place it in a mesh bag for protection.
Hand washing is also an option – what do you need for this
Most down jackets are machine washable, but if you prefer gentle hand washing, that is also an alternative.
What you need:
A tub or large sink: They can clog your bathtub, especially if you want to wash more than one jacket at a time. However, if you only have one jacket to clean, consider using a smaller, freestanding washtub to save water and use less soap.
Special down cleaner: There are specific products for outerwear and down - do not use detergent.
Water at room temperature: It is gentler on your jacket (and your hands) if you use water that is not very hot.
A towel: Choose a towel large enough to roll your jacket in. This allows you to squeeze out excess water and shorten drying time.
Drying rack: You can tumble dry your jacket (as recommended), but if you don't have one, after squeezing out the water, hang it on a drying rack or on the back of a chair to dry.
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Follow the instructions step by step
Step 1 – Stain Removal: Before you get to work, you should clean the outside of the jacket from dirt and debris. Also use this time to treat stubborn stains with your down detergent.
Tipp: A good tool for spot cleaning is a toothbrush. After applying the detergent, gently scrub the area in a circular motion. Allow the stain to set and wipe off the cleaner with a clean cloth to check the progress.
Step 2 – Soak: After a gentle spot cleaning, it's time to soak your jacket in warm water for a long time. Fill a sink or bathtub with warm water, submerge your jacket, and gently shake it with your hands. Then let them soak for 10 to 15 minutes - this will remove excess dirt, debris and soap from the spot cleaning.
Step 3 – Rinse and repeat: After the first bath, drain the water and refill it with clean water. Shake it gently again and then let it sit for another 5-10 minutes.
Step 4 – Express it: Drain the water, remove your jacket and gently squeeze out as much water as possible. Then use the towel rolling method. Lay out a flat bath towel, place the garment on the flat towel, then roll them both together to squeeze out the water.
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How to dry your down jacket properly
If you have a dryer: Down jackets are best dried in a tumble dryer with a drum large enough to allow air to circulate around the jacket. Set the dryer to low. Place a few dryer balls or clean tennis balls inside to keep the jacket moving and prevent the feathers from clumping. Expect the process to take several hours and several cycles. No matter how tempted you may be, don't try to remove your down clothing until it's completely dry.
If you don't have a dryer available:In this case, you can air dry your jacket by hanging it in an area with plenty of fresh air and gently loosening the clumps with your fingers as it dries. You can also place them near a heater to speed up drying. Note that air drying is usually not recommended - it can affect the properties of the down and take too long to dry completely.
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