Washing and drying a down jacket is a delicate process that requires special care to avoid damaging it. To ensure the best results, always use liquid detergent for delicate laundry or a specialized detergent made for this type of clothing. It’s important to avoid crowding the washing machine and wash only one jacket at a time. Before starting the wash cycle, insert silicone or tennis balls into the machine to prevent feathers from clumping. Select the delicates program on your washing machine and make sure the water temperature does not exceed 30 or 40 degrees. It’s recommended that you wash your down jackets once or at most twice a year and never use a spin cycle during the washing process.
Drying a down jacket can be time-consuming, especially if it’s wet, cold, and windless. If you decide to air dry your jacket, try to do it on a windy day as the wind will help it dry faster and more evenly. Shake the jacket before hanging it to distribute feathers properly. If you notice clumps of feathers, this is an indication that the inside of the jacket is still wet, so be patient and let it dry thoroughly before using any other methods.
Alternatively, you can tumble dry your jacket on the lowest setting with silicone or tennis balls included in the load to help with drying. However, note that washing and drying down jackets at home is risky and there is always a possibility of damage. If after drying you are not satisfied with how the feathers are arranged, use spin dry program on low power as last resort but keep in mind that using centrifuge during washing process should be avoided.
Taking extra care when washing and drying your jackets will ensure that they stay in top condition for years to come.