It’s the heart of winter, and on chilly winter nights, there’s nothing like a down jacket to shield you from the cold. But the very qualities that make your down jacket so insulating require some extra attention when it comes to cleaning it. Here, we’ll discuss how to wash a down jacket at home.
Wondering How to Wash a Down Jacket? All it Takes is a Little TLC
When it comes to how often to wash down jacket, a wash once or twice a year should do the trick. Can you machine-wash a down jacket? Yes, if you use the proper technique with the right supplies.
We recommend washing with a front-load washer to lessen the risk of damage to your jacket, as agitators can tear delicate clothing. We also suggest these supplies:
- Down wash
- A dryer with a low heat setting
- Three clean tennis balls
Step 1. Pre-treat Any Stains
How to wash your down jacket starts with pre-treating stains. To increase the chance that long-standing stains will come out in the wash, we recommend pre-treating with stain remover or downwash. Simply rub a few drops of either into the stain and allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes before washing.
Step 2. Wash Your Down Jacket
How to wash a down jacket in the washing machine begins with warm water and a gentle cycle. Follow the suggested amounts on the bottle of downwash when adding it to the machine. While downwash won’t strip the down of its oils like regular detergent can, excess amounts can be difficult to rinse out.
Step 4. Dry on a Low Setting
The best advice for how to dry a down jacket involves using a low dryer setting and some patience. While it can take 2-3 hours to dry on low, it lessens the risk of any damage to the down filling or outer fabric.
We suggest adding two or three clean tennis balls to the dryer with your jacket to help break up any wet clumps of down. You can also pause your dryer every 15-30 minutes to help your jacket retain its airy fluffiness.
Step 5. Store Your Down Jacket Properly
Make sure your jacket is completely dry before hanging it with ample space on either side. Total dryness is also essential if you’re packing or storing your jacket away after winter, as compressing wet down could lead to damage.
Sloan Appliance Service is committed to our customers by offering tips from how to wash a down jacket to how to clean a washing machine. And of course, we are always available to provide expert washer repair. Give us a call to set up your service today!
