How to wash and dry down jackets?

The great thing about down jackets is they can protect you against the cold, while also delivering other features like waterproofing. But just like any other type of jacket, down jackets need cleaning, so how can you wash and dry this type of jacket? Here are some of the things to take into account when you want to clean your down jacket.

Eliminate all the dirt

Before you wash the down jacket, it’s very important to remove all the dirt. The reason is simple, it will make it easier for the washing machine to clean your down jacket and you will have better results. Sure, you might not be able to remove all the dirt and mud, but at least try to eliminate the larger spots. Turn the jacket inside out too.

Make sure you clean the detergent compartment

The down jacket doesn’t do well if you use any softener or detergent. That’s why before you put the down jacket in your washing machine, you have to thoroughly clean the detergent compartment. The idea is to run the washing machine on a hot wash with nothing in it so it can clean the softener and detergent residue that might be left over. At this point you shouldn’t have the down jacket in. You will add it during the next step.

Set the washing cycle

Now you should prepare to add your down jacket in. The idea is to set the washing machine to perform a cold wash, and you should pick either the wool or delicate cycle. Make sure that the setting is for gentle clothing. Another thing to keep in mind here is that you want to avoid using a top loading machine, as those units have an agitator and they can end up damaging the jacket.

Add the right cleaner

It’s recommended to use cleaner that was specifically designed for outerwear or down jackets in particular. You also want to set the machine to rinse a few times after using it, just to ensure you avoid leaving any cleaning residue inside.

Drying the down jacket

What’s crucial to keep in mind about the down jacket is that air drying is not suitable for it. Instead, you have to tumble dry the jacket at a low heat. High heat will damage the outer shell of your jacket, that’s why you have to stick to the lower heat, otherwise it will be problematic. Most down jackets have specific info on the supported temperatures, so it makes sense to use the label. You can also add dryer balls into the dryer can help since it helps stop feathers from clumping.

Check if the down jacket is fully dry, if not you might have to repeat the process if the jacket is still wet. This will take a bit to figure out, but in the end you will have a good understanding of how you can wash it and the results you can get from it. As you can see, cleaning the down jacket is not very difficult, but it will take a bit of a trial and error until you learn how to do it!