How to Wash Down Jackets

Keep your down jackets looking fresh and clean by washing them at home.

Down jackets are made using a stuffing consisting of the down feathers from waterfowl. To keep you warm these feathers must remain separate and loose within the jacket. This requirement means that the cleaning process used to wash your down jacket must remain a gentle one throughout. It's time-consuming, but it's also the only way you'll retain that fluffy down look and feel that also happens to be reason that down jackets are so warming.

Things You'll Need

• Washing machine
• Down detergent
• Dryer
• 4 new tennis balls
• Hanger

Instructions

1. Set your washing machine to the gentle setting, with cold water used for the wash and rinse cycles. Use a washer that does not contain a central spindle to avoid damaging the feathers.

2. Start the washer and allow the water to fill the tub about 1/3 full before adding a detergent formulated for down items. Allow the detergent to disperse thoroughly within the water.

3. Add the down jackets to the water, pushing them firmly beneath the water to avoid their floating in place. Floating jackets will not clean properly. Allow the washing machine to complete the washing cycle.

4. Remove the down jackets from the washing machine and place them into the dryer. Make sure the jackets have their sleeves pulled fully to the outside to ensure even drying. Add three or four new tennis balls to the dryer along with the items. The tennis balls help fluff the down by pummeling away any thick areas created by clumping feathers.

5. Set the dryer on a low heat setting, and dry the jackets for about an hour. Check the jackets every 15 minutes to ensure the tennis balls aren't entangled, and that any jacket sleeves are still arranged outside the jacket body.

6. Remove the jackets from the dryer and fluff the down by lightly striking any clumps left within the jacket. If the down accumulates at the base of the jacket, it is not dry yet. Place the jackets back into the dryer and dry on low heat for up to another 30 minutes, checking every 15 minutes to see if the jackets are dry.

7. Remove and hang dried jackets for later use.

Tips & Warnings

• Some down jacket manufacturers warn that not dry cleaning your jackets void the warranty. Check with your manufacturer before washing the jacket yourself to determine if your warranty is affected.

References

• The Dollar Stretcher: Cleaning Down-Filled Items