Washing down jackets – everything you need to know

A down jacket is lightweight and a great protection against frost. Many people wonder how to properly wash a down jacket made of natural or synthetic down in order for it not to lose its properties and shape. We suggest

How to wash a down jacket? Washing down jackets – step by step

A jacket filled with down requires special treatment. How to wash this kind of outer garment so that it will serve us for years? Before we start refreshing our jacket in a washing machine we should read the manufacturer’s information placed on the inner label (we will find there information about maximum washing and spinning temperature) and always follow them. Otherwise, if we damage the jacket, we cannot count on a positive consideration of the complaint

The next step is to take a closer look at a down-filled jacket and sew up any torn seams, holes or abrasions – otherwise the filling will “come out” of the garment during the washing and the jacket will lose its shape. It is also worth checking pockets, pulling out their contents, fastening zippers, buttons and Velcro fasteners. Remember that a down jacket should be washed one at a time (a large model is able to absorb even up to 10 l of water!) and loosely placed in a drum. It is worth to do one “empty” wash before putting the down jacket in in order to remove all impurities and detergent residues from inside the washing machine.

Many people who will wash their down jackets for the first time wonder in what temperature it should be done. The best solution is not higher than 30-40 degrees Celsius (it is best to follow the jacket’s manufacturer’s recommendations), setting the program for washing delicate fabrics (e.g. wool, silk). If you have a jacket with duck or goose down (natural), it is worth using a special liquid for washing feathers, which will prevent delicate down and harder feathers from sticking together (of course, the same liquid will also work perfectly for refreshing a jacket with synthetic down). Under no circumstances should you use a softener, as it makes the feathers less flexible

Can I spin down my jacket? Yes, but at no more than 400-600 rpm. After the centrifugation process is finished and the jacket is taken out, it should not be wringed because wet feathers tend to stick together. It is enough to wait until the water drains and lay the down jacket horizontally on a clothes dryer (away from the heater) in a well-ventilated room. Every now and then you should turn the jacket over and carefully pat the down with your hands. You should be aware that the natural drying process can take up to 2-3 days. However, if we have an electric dryer, the jacket will be dry in about 30 minutes (choosing a temperature up to 40 degrees Celsius).

The most common mistakes made when washing a down jacket

Washing down jackets in an incompetent way causes the feathers to clump together and the down jacket loses its original thermal properties and does not look very nice when put on. What mistakes are usually made by people who have no experience in cleaning this type of clothing? Here are the most common mistakes:

• too high washing temperature – setting the program with temperature above 40 degrees Celsius can lead to deformation of the jacket;
• too frequent washing – down should be washed rarely, maximally twice a year (before and after the season), otherwise it will get damaged quickly
• infrequent airing of the jacket – regular airing is a good way of refreshing the garment quickly (you won’t have to wash it so often);
• using strong detergents – a regular powder or a washing liquid will make the down get lumpier and lose its thermal properties;
• drying down on a radiator or in direct sunlight.

We hope that thanks to our tips washing down will go smoothly. If you are afraid of washing your down jacket at home on your own, it is worth considering using the services of a professional dry cleaner