Winter is coming, so get out your favourite cold-weather coat! While goose down is a popular choice for warmth and comfort, do you know how easy it is to wash a down jacket in a washing machine? This guide will help you improve the thermal performance and save money on your trip to the dry cleaners.
How to wash a down jacket at your home
Customers often ask us about down coats and sleeping bags. If you want to preserve the insulation, appearance, as well as overall performance of your down garment, you will need to follow these steps.
Here’s how to wash a down jacket in your own home.
- Stain remover (if necessary)
- Down wash
- Front-loading washing machine
- Tumble dryer
- Tennis balls
Step 1 – Treat Your Jacket
Pre-treat your hair with a downwash or stain remover before you start the wash cycle. You should zip all zippers shut and make sure that any snaps or buttons are securely closed.
Now you can turn your jacket inside-out and wash it. It is best to wash your down jacket only once or twice a year, as frequent washing can cause feathers to crack.
Step 2: Fill Your Washing machine
You will need a front-loading washing machine to wash your down coat at home. Top-loading washing machines use harsher agitators and can damage down garments.
Fill your machine with warm water, not cold or hot. Add gentle laundry detergent to the wash and liquid down the washing machine as directed.
Step #3 – Run Gentle Cycle
When washing a down jacket, it is essential to select the right settings for your washing machine. Choose the gentlest wash cycle for your machine and just put your jacket in.
Allow the wash cycle to take its course. But don’t forget to remove your coat! There is still one wash cycle left.
Step #4 – Continue the Rinse Cycle
To get the best results, run your down jacket through another wash cycle with no detergent. You can trap soap inside down jackets because it is so well insulated. Therefore, wash your down jacket again only with warm water.
Step #5: Dry Your Down Jacket
It takes some time to dry a down jacket. There is a special method. Put your jacket in the tumble dryer at its lowest setting. Add three more tennis balls to break down any down lumps.
If you don’t have tennis balls, sock balls will work just as well. The process should dry in about 2 hours. Do not rush and burn your jacket.
Step #6 – Fluff Your Down Jacket
While the tennis balls can help reduce clumping, you should still take your down jacket off the tumble dryer every 20-30 mins and scrape any large clumps using your hands.
Your coat will dry faster and it will be easier to remove the down. After several cycles, your jacket should feel soft and fluffy.
