How To Wash A Puffer Jacket Or Down Jacket

When it comes to reliable and durable outerwear to keep you warm in cold weather, a puffer jacket is one of the best investments you can make. They're water-resistant, windproof and extremely comfortable, keeping you snug and warm - whether you're camping in the snow or just on your way to work on a chilly day.

But when it comes to washing puffer jackets, many questions can arise. How do you wash puffer jackets? Is there a specific detergent you have to use? How do you dry them? What happens if they aren't as fluffy as when you first bought them after washing? To answer all your questions and provide some helpful tips, here's everything you need to know about how to wash a puffer jacket.

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• Are Puffer Jackets & Down Jackets Washable?
• Can You Dry Clean A Puffer Jacket?
• How To Remove Stains From A Puffer Jacket Or Down Jacket
• Choosing A Detergent For Washing Puffer & Down Jackets
• Step-By-Step Instructions For Washing Puffer & Down Jackets
• Things To Avoid When Washing A Down Jacket
• How To Dry Puffer Jackets & Down Jackets
• How To Restore A Puffer Jacket's Puffiness After Washing
• How To Correctly Store Your Puffer Jacket

Are Puffer Jackets & Down Jackets Washable?

Yes, you can wash both puffer and down jackets, but it's important to follow specific care instructions to maintain their insulation and shape. Be sure to consult the manufacturer's care label for specific guidance before washing to ensure your puffer or down jacket's longevity. Most puffer jackets can be machine washed, but it's best to stick to a gentle cycle with warm water, mild detergent and avoid fabric softeners or bleach. Hand washing can be a better way to ensure you avoid damaging your jacket.

Can You Dry Clean A Puffer Jacket?

Dry cleaning a puffer jacket isn't recommended, as harsh chemicals can strip the natural oils from down insulation, reducing its loft and warmth. Synthetic fill can also be damaged by the process. Instead, opt for a gentle wash with a mild detergent specifically designed for down.

How To Remove Stains From A Puffer Jacket Or Down Jacket

To tackle stains on your puffer or down jacket, start by gently dabbing the spot with a damp cloth and a small amount of mild detergent. Avoid hard scrubbing as it can damage the fabric or insulation. For tougher stains, pre-treat with a down-specific cleaner before washing the jacket on a gentle cycle. Check the down jacket's care label for specific instructions on spot treatments.

Choosing A Detergent For Washing Puffer & Down Jackets

When washing a puffer jacket or down jacket, it's best to use a down-specific cleaner or technical wash to give it a thorough clean, prevent any clumping and maintain its fluff. Down-specific cleaners are powerful, yet gentle, and are specifically formulated to clean down and synthetic down-filled articles without damaging or inhibiting insulation or hydrophobic properties. But if you don't have any, using pure soap or regular detergent is the next best thing.

Can You Use Wool Wash For A Down Jacket?

Wool wash isn't the best detergent for down jackets as it may not effectively clean the down or protect its delicate fibres. Wool wash is designed to be gentle on natural yarns in knitted form, but the shell fabric of a puffer is a synthetic woven. You're better off sticking with a down-specific wash or cleaner like Granger's Down Wash for the best results.

Step-By-Step Instructions For Washing Puffer & Down Jackets

Now, the moment you've been waiting for - it's time to wash your puffer jacket! Rather than simply chucking it in the wash, slamming the lid shut and going off to do something more interesting, there are a few steps you'll need to take when it comes to washing down jackets. Generally, you can choose between washing your jacket by hand or by machine. We'll detail the steps for both.

How To Prepare The Puffer Jacket Before Washing

Before you can simply pop your puffer jacket into the wash, you will first need to 'prepare' it. Empty all the pockets, fasten all the Velcro closures and ensure your down jacket is zipped all the way up so it won't snag on anything inside the washing machine. You'll also need to remove faux-fur trims on the jacket (if any) and wash them separately. Now is also the best time to spot-treat any stains you notice.

How To Wash A Puffer Jacket In A Washing Machine

Machine washing your puffer jacket is convenient and fast, but ensure you follow some special steps to get the best results. The basic steps to machine washing your puffer jacket are:

1. Check the label to make sure it can be washed in a machine. Also, make sure you are only using a washing machine that doesn't have a centre agitator and that you are using a gentle/delicate cycle setting.

2. Close all zippers and fasteners to prevent snagging and damage occurring to the outer material. Don't forget to empty pockets and also zip them closed.

3. Add your detergent, but keep in mind that for a down jacket, it's best to opt for a cleaner specifically designed for down feathers if you can. This is because it will help keep the feathers inside the jacket nice and fluffy.

4. Select a gentle cycle such as wool or delicate. For the best results, you should only machine wash your down jacket with warm water at 40°C to avoid damaging the outer shell of the jacket.

5. Rinse the puffer jacket thoroughly, so for best results, add an extra rinse cycle if you can. If you can't, then an alternative is to extend the rinse cycle for as long as possible. If you suspect there are still remnants of the cleaner in the jacket, play it safe and re-rinse the puffer jacket.

6. Avoid using a spin cycle to reduce the risk of damaging the down feathers inside the puffer jacket. Using your hands, carefully knead your puffer jacket to ensure all excess water is drained.

How To Hand Wash A Puffer Jacket

Hand washing your puffer jacket is a safe option to maintain its quality and minimise any damage, though it does require more effort. We've broken down the steps for hand washing a puffer jacket:

1. Pre-soak your puffer jacket in a sink or bathtub filled with warm water and down-specific cleaner (if it's not available, use pure soap). Allow your down jacket to soak for up to an hour.
2. Rinse your puffer jacket thoroughly with warm water to remove the detergent and any dirt or build-up. Wipe any particularly stained areas gently with a microfibre cloth.
3. Give it a gentle squeeze and knead it to get all the water out. It's important to do it evenly because the feathers inside may clump together if it's kneaded unevenly. Don't wring the jacket forcefully or the feathers will start sticking together.

Things To Avoid When Washing A Down Jacket

Down is excellent at keeping you warm, but it requires some special care during and after washing. To keep your down jacket in top condition, here are a few things to avoid:

• Fabric softener: Use a soap or wash designed specifically for down for the best results.
• Bleach, conditioners or stain removers: These can affect the garment's performance and damage the fabric.
• Dry cleaning: The solvents used can damage your jacket.
• Top-loaders with agitators: These can be too harsh, so opt for a gentler wash.
• Wringing: Never wring your down jacket, even if it feels heavy. Instead, gently shake off excess water while supporting its weight.
• Wearing it wet: Ensure your jacket is fully dry before using it again or storing it. Otherwise, it could become damp and develop an unpleasant smell.

How To Dry Puffer Jackets & Down Jackets

There are two main ways to dry your puffer jacket: in a machine dryer, or by air drying.

How To Dry Your Puffer Jacket In A Machine Dryer

1. Put the puffer jacket inside the dryer once it's fully rinsed, but make sure you drain as much excess water as possible first. It's best to dry your puffer jacket on its own, as other items will crush the fluff down during the dry.

2. Use a low heat setting, since high heat can damage the feathers inside the puffer jacket or the fabrics on the outer shell.

3. Throw in some tennis balls or dryer balls so your puffer jacket keeps its fluffiness. It may sound strange, but putting a few clean tennis balls in the dryer before starting the cycle can help maintain or restore your puffer jacket's fluffiness. They'll bounce around inside the dryer and continually 'beat' the jacket, breaking up clumps of feathers and helping it to dry more evenly and quickly. Granger's Down Wash Kit includes both detergent and dryer balls.

4. Run the dryer for 30 minutes, then remove your puffer jacket from the dryer and give it a gentle 'fluff'. This will further help to break up any clumps that might be forming. Gently massage and shake your jacket, and push any feathers that might be sticking out back in, rather than pulling them out. Put your jacket back in the dryer and repeat this process every 30 minutes until your down jacket is completely dry.

5. Continue machine drying until the puffer is completely dry on the low heat setting, while fluffing your jacket regularly. This is the best way to dry your puffer jacket without risking any damage to the material. It's also the most thorough way to make sure there is no moisture left inside the feathers, which will result in mildew and unpleasant odours. If you notice any moisture still hanging around, continue the process until it's completely dry.

How To Air Dry Your Puffer Jacket

1. Lay the jacket flat to dry after you've finished rinsing it, keeping it in a dry and cool place. Make sure it's not somewhere humid, as the moisture in the air will cause your puffer jacket to smell as it is drying, undoing all your hard work.
2. Give it a good fluff every 30 minutes to keep the jacket fluffy when air-drying. Then use your fingers to massage out any clumps of feathers that may be forming and hang back up for another 30 minutes.
3. Keep drying it for five hours to ensure it's fully dry. Just make sure that you're fluffing it every 30 minutes and make sure there's no moisture left in the jacket before you put it away and store it.

How To Restore A Puffer Jacket's Puffiness After Washing

If your puffer jacket has gone flat after washing, don't stress - it's an easy fix. With a few easy steps, you can fluff it up and restore the loft again and maximise the fill power in the puffers.

Why Do Puffer Jackets Go Flat After Washing?

A puffer jacket loses its fluff after washing because the down or synthetic filling clumps together when it's wet. Without proper drying, the dampness makes these clumps stick together, causing that flat, deflated look. Harsh washing cycles or aggressive wringing can also damage the insulation's structure. The good news? It's easily fixed with proper care.

How To Make a Puffer Jacket Puffy Again

If your puffer jacket has lost its fluffiness, just toss it in the dryer on a low heat setting with some dryer balls or tennis balls as described above - they'll help break up clumps and redistribute the filling. Pause the cycle every 15 minutes to give the jacket a good shake for even results. You can also gently massage any remaining flat spots by hand. Always ensure it's completely dry before storing to prevent matting, and your puffer jacket will be back to its cosy, puffy self in no time.

Removing Down Jacket Clumps After Washing

Got clumpy down in your jacket after washing? First, make sure it's fully dry - dampness causes clumping. As previously mentioned, tumble drying it on low heat with 2-3 clean tennis balls or dryer balls will break up the lumps. Pause every 20 minutes to shake and fluff the jacket by hand, focusing on stubborn areas. For persistent clumps, gently massage the sections between your fingers to separate the down clusters. Avoid high heat, as it can damage the feathers. With a little patience, your down jacket will regain its warmth and loft for maximum cosiness.

How To Correctly Store Your Puffer Jacket

To make sure your freshly cleaned puffer jacket stays nice and fresh when in storage, it's best to store the jacket in a fabric garment bag so it can hang in storage with an adequate amount of air circulating around it. If you don't happen to have a garment bag, the next best thing is to use a clean bedsheet instead. Avoid rolling your puffer jacket up and storing it in a small bag, as this will seriously damage the inside filling and it will lose its fluff when you go to retrieve it from storage.

Look After & Wash Your Puffer Jacket Correctly To Extend Its Lifespan

For everything you need to know regarding how to wash your puffer jacket, dry it and correctly store it, this in-depth guide has you covered. If you're looking to stay warm during the colder months, check out our complete guide on how to choose the right puffer jacket for more information. When you're ready to start shopping, explore our awesome range of men's puffer jackets, kids' puffer jackets and women's puffer jackets and make sure you're all set for winter.

Discover more helpful articles and guides on our Adventure Centre to help you make the most of your gear. Some articles you might like include:

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• How To Clean Hiking Boots and Properly Care For Them
• Hiking Clothing Buying Guide
• Jackets & Outerwear Buying Guide
• Base Layer Clothing Buying Guide
• Rainwear & Waterproof Clothing Buying Guide

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