How To Wash a Down Jacket

Down jackets sometimes get a bad rap for being hard to clean and maintain. While it’s true that you have to be extra mindful of how you store down jackets and prevent moisture exposure, these garments can be surprisingly easy to care for. 

After learning how to wash a down jacket, you’ll be better able to improve its lifespan. We all know how pricey these jackets can be, so it’s worthwhile taking a few minutes to wash your jacket the right way.

Step-By-Step Guide

I’ve struggled to find the perfect method for how to wash down jackets for years. I’ve tried special products, dry cleaning, and everything in between. But after years of research, I think I’ve figured out the best way to do it. The following step-by-step guide will give you all the insider info to wash your down jacket at the drop of a hat.

What You Need

Before you start washing a down jacket, there are a few items you’ll need to gather. It’s also important to note that organic down can be tricky to re-fluff after a wash, so you should have high-quality detergent handy. 

I recommend a proven cleaner that works as a down jacket detergent without damaging the jacket surface. Wash ‘n Proof detergent is my preferred cleaner in this case. But other products work well too. Just make sure your cleaner features the following:

• Suitable for water repellent and breathable garments like ISODRY
• Maintains breathability
• Works on one wash cycle
• Cleans and proofs garments in one cycle

The only other materials you’ll need are for the drying cycle. Down tends to clump, lose its fluffy texture, or even start to smell if you don’t dry it properly. The best way to resist these consequences is to add tennis balls or any other soft object to the dryer when you dry down jackets. These extra objects help to re-fluff the fibers and ensure it’s totally dry.

Machine-Washing a Down Jacket

The first and most common way to wash down jackets is with a washing machine. This method will deliver results as long as you follow the proper technique. 

1. Brush Off Dirt

Before tossing the jacket in the wash cycle, the first thing to do is to inspect the surface for dirt and loose mud. Remove surface grime by hand or with a barely damp rag.

Then close all the zippers, velcro, or any other opening in your down jacket. The objective is to reduce the amount of water exposed to the interior compartments of the piece of clothing. If you can, reverse the jacket inside out too.

2. Check Your Machine 

Determine whether your washing machine is ideal for down jackets. What kinds of washing machines should you avoid? First of all, don’t use top-loading machines. The central agitator will often be too strong for the down and could damage the jacket. 

Of course, the best washing machines to use are specially designed for down and technical outerwear. But most front-loading machines will work fine. If you don’t have home access to a front loading machine, most laundromats and cleaners will have them.

3. Clean the Detergent Compartment 

This step is critical to follow if you want to avoid accidentally exposing your down jacket to harmful detergents. Inspect your detergent compartment (especially those with horizontal pull-out trays) and clean them before running the cycle.

There are a few ways to clean out your detergent tray. You can wipe out the compartment by hand with a damp cloth. However, I run a hot water wash without any laundry in the machine before cleaning my down. That way, you’re sure to remove any harsh chemical residues from your machine.

4. Set the Cycle

Now you’re almost ready to wash your down jacket. The ideal washing cycle is a cold wash on its most delicate cycle. Washing machines have different names for this type of cycle – some call it a “gentle” cycle, while others have a similar “wool” cycle. Make sure you’re running on cold water, though. 

5. Pour the Cleaner Into the Machine 

Finally, it’s time to add your washing detergent. Each product has its own recommended amounts per load, so check your detergent to figure out the best ratio. Add your down jacket to the machine and set it to run through a long rinse cycle after the washing cycle. The goal here is to remove all the detergent and cleaner residues from the down surface.

Washing a Down Jacket by Hand

Hand washing a down jacket is also quite popular. This method has the benefit of giving you more direct control over where you apply water and detergents. Washing a down jacket by hand can take a little longer than machine washing, but it’s a safer way to clean.

Washing down by hand is simple. Fill a sink or bathtub with cold water and add an appropriate amount of down detergent. Allow the down jacket to soak in the tub for at least one hour.

After an hour, remove the jacket from the water and rinse the surface by lightly squeezing out any extra water in the jacket. Avoid wringing the down by hand. 

Cleaning and Soaking the Jacket 

Again, it’s crucial to clean the jacket shell thoroughly before adding it to your cold soak solution. Failing to remove mud and dirt will discolor the detergent soak and may permanently damage the jacket’s color.

Soaking the jacket is a matter of giving your down jacket enough time in the down-safe detergent. Avoid commercial detergents in your soak as they can damage the feathers. Always soak the jacket for at least one hour, and ensure that it remains fully submerged for the duration.

Rinsing and Drying the Garment

Once the down jacket has been soaking for an hour, you should remove it from the detergent solution and refill your washing receptacle with clean water. Replace your jacket in the clean, cold water until all the suds have rinsed off. You may need to repeat this process two or three times.

Squeeze out any additional water into your receptacle before drying. Set your dryer on its lowest heat setting. Arrange your jacket in the dryer tumbler. Now is the time to add your dryer balls or tennis balls. I recommend using two or three. Turn on the dryer, and when it’s done, congrats – you’ve washed a down jacket!

Summary

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial on how to wash a down jacket. In the end, it’s not so tricky to wash down once you get the hang of it. After years of experimenting, I believe that I’ve found the best method. Simply wash and rinse your jacket with cold water on a gentle setting, and dry with dryer balls to preserve the fluff.