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31 May 2022

It’s expensive and it’s hard to clean, but winter’s coming and it looks so darn good on you. What can you say? You’re a jacket person. Though washing a puffer jacket can seem like hard work, it’s actually pretty easy when you know how. Do it right, and your favourite down coat can last a lifetime.

 

WASHING PUFFER JACKETS – MACHINE OR HAND?

 

To machine or not to machine, that is the question. The best way to wash your down jacket depends on three things: how dirty it is, how much time you have, and what facilities are available to you. If the jacket isn’t too dirty or smelly, just air it out and spot treat any stains. If it’s a bit dirtier and airing won’t do, you’ll need to wash it fully. Our preference: it’s good to wash your down jacket by hand because it reduces wearing and saves energy. But you will need a bathtub. If you don’t have a bathtub, then washing puffer jackets in the washing machine is easier, however it does consume more energy.

HOW TO HAND WASH A DOWN JACKET

 

You will need a bathtub. A sink might be ok for a small down jacket, but for anything bigger, a bathtub is best. Just fill the bathtub with lukewarm water, add some detergent, and lay the jacket inside. To get the best results:

  • The water should be shallow – you don’t need much – just enough to soak.  
  • The detergent should be mild. You could even use shampoo. Don’t use anything with bleach in it.  
  • If you must wash the jacket with other items, make sure they’re the same colour.  
  • To thoroughly clean your puffer jacket, gently swish it around in the water.  
  • Never wring or scrub when washing a puffer jacket.  
  • Leave it to soak for fifteen minutes.  
  • If the jacket is really dirty, scrape any excess dirt or mud off before you wash it.  
  • Zip or button up the down jacket before washing – especially if you’re using a smaller basin to wash it in.  

 

HOW TO WASH PUFFER JACKETS IN THE WASHING MACHINE

 

Washing down jackets in the washing machine is easy. Just be sure to go no higher than 30°C or risk damaging the material. Washing below or up to 30°C saves on energy too. And just like washing down jackets by hand, you don’t need much detergent. For best results, here’s how to wash a puffer coat in the washing machine:

  • Zip or button up all openings on the down jacket and turn it inside out. This will reduce wearing on the outer fabric.  
  • Always read the instructions on the inside of the jacket before washing. However, if instructed to wash at a higher temperature than 30, ignore it unless you’ve got some really – really – stubborn stains.  
  • Choose a mild detergent that matches the colour of your jacket.  
  • Measure how much detergent you need by reading the packet instruction. Too much detergent can be harmful to the garment and to the environment.  
  • Do not wash the down jacket with fabric softner, this can wear down the material. The environment will thank you for that too!  
  • Only wash similar colours together to prevent discolouring and damage.  
  • Avoid using a spin cycle. This can cause wearing and affect the distribution of the down in the jacket.  
  • Never dry clean a down jacket. The chemicals used can harm the material.

HOW TO DRY YOUR PUFFER JACKET

 

When it’s time to dry your down jacket, there are two ways to go. Air drying or tumble drying. To get the best results, you should tumble dry your puffer jacket. This allows you to distribute the stuffing easily and evenly, preventing lumps and misshaping. So, after you wash your puffer jacket, here’s what to do:

 

  • Make sure the jacket is inside out.  
  • Add two or three tennis balls to the tumble dryer with the jacket. This is really important thing, as the tennis balls evenly distribute the stuffing.  
  • Select a low heat, and allow the jacket to dry over a longer period (around two hours). A higher heat can damage the fabric.  
  • After the jacket is dry, carefully pat it down and make sure all the stuffing is evenly distributed.  
  • Think about spraying some waterproof spray after you wash it, as the fabric can lose some of its water proofing properties.

 

HOW TO DRY A DOWN JACKET WITHOUT A DRYER

 

If you don’t have a tumble dryer or you want to avoid using the tumble dryer (brownie points for saving energy!), you can air dry your down jacket on a drying rack. This can take between 24 and 48 hours. Here’s how to air dry your puffer jacket after washing:

 

  • Once the wash is complete, carefully remove your jacket and lie it down flat to dry on a clothing rack. As you do this, gently fluff the stuffing to give it an even distribution.  
  • It’ll take around 24–48 hours to dry depending on how warm or humid it is. Place a dehumidifier nearby, or dry the puffer jacket near a radiator, in the sun outside, or by a breezy open window. 
  • As it dries, keep giving it the occasional fluff, particularly around any wet clumps of down.

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