The dos and don’ts of washing a down jacket
17/10/2024
Translation: Katherine Martin
We can still just about get through the day without a thick, down-filled jacket. But it won’t be long until we’re snuggled up in them almost 24/7. If your down jacket could use a glow-up before winter truly sets in, you’d better read on.
Minor grubby patches and superficial dirt can be wiped off most winter jackets with a damp cloth. But what if your favourite wintery number could do with a more thorough clean?
Can you just stick a down jacket in the washing machine? As long as the wash label says so, the answer’s yes. However, there are two or three little things to consider before, during and after the wash cycle.
The dos
Check the label
This is a trivial step that’s nevertheless skipped too often. Always check the wash recommendation (or restrictions) on your jacket’s sewn-in label first. It might contain materials that aren’t compatible with water, detergent or excessively high temperatures.
Use special detergent
Down fabric is delicate, and contains keratin. That’s the protein that gives the material its stability, flexibility and insulating superpower. If you use a detergent that attacks the keratin, the down feathers will quickly lose their shape and fluffiness. As a result, your jacket will lose its ability to keep you warm. With this in mind, you’re better off using a down detergent.
Choose the right wash and spin cycle
You can’t go wrong with the wool programme set to a maximum of 30 degrees. This setting’s well suited to washing down because it works without much drum movement. You shouldn’t set the spin speed any higher than 800. In fact, turning it down to 600 is even better. That way, you’ll reduce the risk of damaging the feathers.
Be patient when drying
After you’ve washed your jacket, wring it out carefully but thoroughly, then treat it to a few spins in the tumble dryer. Keep the temperature between 30 and 60 degrees maximum. It’s advisable to take the jacket out of the drum after each cycle, give it a shake and check how damp it is.
Put two tennis balls in the dryer
The balls help to spread the down in the jacket evenly and puff it up. Incidentally, this trick works on comforters and duvets too. It keeps them nice and fluffy, and stops them from forming ugly lumps.
The don’ts
Wash too frequently
As we’ve just covered, it’s okay to put down jackets in the washing machine. That being said, it’s advisable only to do it rarely. That way, you preserve the delicate down feathers and their natural layer of fat. Feel free to machine-wash your jacket once a year, either at the beginning or the end of the winter season.
Use fabric softener
Fabric softener not only attacks the keratin in the down, it also settles in the feathers and sticks them together to form useless clumps.
Fill the drum to bursting
Understandably, you might baulk at the idea of running the washing machine with just one item inside. Even so, you should make an exception for your down jacket. Don’t put anything else in the drum (apart from the tennis balls during the drying cycle) so that the down filling has enough space.
Hurry to put your jacket away
Even after several rounds in the tumble dryer, you’d be advised not to hang up your jacket alongside your other clothes right away. Instead, give it a good shake and leave it spread out over a drying rack overnight. This way, you can be sure there’s no residual moisture lurking in the jacket, and that the down’s free to puff up nicely.
If you don’t have a tumble dryer, it’s worth looking for a laundromat or asking to use a friend’s. Fully relying on a clothes horse to dry a down jacket is quite a nuisance, and can take several days. But here’s how to do it. After the wash cycle, spread your jacket out on the drying rack, carefully and evenly spreading out the down insulation by hand. Every two hours or so, shake out the jacket and check the insulation for sticky lumps. From day two onwards, you might not need to repeat that process as frequently. It’ll depend on how dry the jacket is.
Header image: Cottonbro Studio via Pexels
Laura Scholz
Senior Editor
Laura.Scholz@digitecgalaxus.chAlways in the mood for good hits, great trips and clinking drinks.