How to Clean Wet Down Jackets

Down jackets have a water-repellent coating with various filling materials. However, standard detergents can damage them. In addition, spinning dry or wringing out wet down can damage the fibres and reduce their thermal properties. For this reason, spot cleaning is preferable. You can use a mild cleaner - Nikwax's Down Wash is a great choice - to clean a small area.

Drying Down Jackets

If your down jacket has gotten wet, the first step is to dry it. This will take a few hours, depending on size and style. You should leave it out for three to five hours to dry completely. Down jackets may still be damp after that time, but they will feel dry to the touch.

If you don't have a dryer, you can also air-dry your down jacket. To speed up the drying process, hang your jacket in fresh air and break up clumps with your fingers. A heater may also help speed up the process. This method can take a long time, however, and may compromise the down's loft. The process is different for thinsulate jackets.

You can also place your down jacket on a radiator to dry. However, make sure that you do not put it on high heat because it could damage the down. You should check your jacket every thirty minutes so that it doesn't get too hot. The direct heat from the radiator will not encourage the growth of mold or mildew. After drying, you should store your down jacket in a dry location.

Washing Down Jackets in a Washing Machine

It's important to know the correct way to wash your down jacket to protect its fluffiness. Top loading machines can ruin down feathers, so be sure to use cold water and a gentle wash cycle. You should also avoid using fabric softeners and bleach when washing down jackets.

You should first check the care label on your down jacket to know the proper way to wash it. Normal detergent can damage down feathers by stripping the natural oil from their feathers. This causes the down feathers to break down and become brittle. You can use a specific detergent designed for down that won't damage them.

Down jackets are made from down, which comes from water birds. Down serves as a insulating layer between a bird's body and feathers, keeping the bird's body warm, just as it does in people. Down contains natural oils, which give feathers their soft and supple appearance and help them puff up.

Washing Down Jackets by Hand

You shouldn't use biological washing powder, which can damage the down feathers. These chemicals will strip the down of its oils, reducing the jacket's performance. In case of an accident, you can just rinse it twice. Otherwise, you should use a gentle detergent that will not damage the down.

Down jackets are best washed in a front-loading washing machine. Top-loading machines have agitators that could rip the fabric. If you have an older washing machine, hand-washing them is a safe option. You can also use a stand-alone washtub to wash multiple jackets.

Down jackets can be 650 and 800 fill down and need special detergent to get clean. Regular detergents are too harsh and may strip the feathers of oils and reduce the insulation. Down detergents from reputable brands are specially designed to preserve the insulating properties of down jackets while keeping them water repellent. Afterwards, hang the jacket on a hanger to dry.

Reproofing Down Jackets

Waterproofing down jackets is an important part of kit maintenance. Over time, the water-repelling layer starts to wear away, allowing water to bead up on the surface of the jacket and penetrate it. A wet jacket can lose its waterproofing around the seams, hood, shoulders, and cuffs. Luckily, there are several ways to reproof your jacket.

The first step is to clean the waterproofing agent. To do this, use a detergent or reproofing lotion. Some detergents even come with reproofing lotion. Then, you can add the jacket to the wash, following the directions on the label. You can also use a reproofing spray or liquid.

Another option is to wash the jacket in a dry, low-temperature machine. A low-temperature cycle and a slow spin will help the reproofing process. Alternatively, you can purchase a waterproof-coating spray such as Grangers Performance Repel Plus. To get the best results, you should first test the product on a small area.