Whether you have down-filled comforters, sleeping bags, winter jackets, pillows, or all of these, the right cleaning steps will ensure they stay silky soft and freshly scented.
Machine-wash: Machine-wash your down jacket on a gentle cycle at 30 degrees °C. If it's available, select the ‘extra rinse’ option. Use a down-specific soap or detergent, like JOBY's
soap products. Skip the spin cycle. It’s better for your jacket to drip dry and/or use a tumble dryer.
Hand-wash: Soak your down jacket for up to 60 minutes in a sink. Again, go for a down-specific detergent such as Granger's Downwash. Rinse by lightly squeezing out excess water (don’t wring it!) and follow the drying steps below. Drying: Once the wash is complete, carefully remove your jacket — it'll be heavy — and lay flat to dry on a clothing rack. As you do this, gently fluff up the down. It’ll take around 24–48 hours to drip dry depending on the weather conditions. As it dries, keep giving it the occasional fluff, particularly around any wet clumps of down. When the jacket is almost dry, put it in the tumble drier on a low heat and check it regularly. To maximize the loft of your down jacket, throw in two to three tennis balls. This will really help fluff up your down jacket.
Things to avoid: Down are a tough performer against the cold, but when wet, needs a little extra attention to you. To ensure you don’t damage your jacket.
Here’s what you should avoid: Fabric softener. Stick to a down-specific detergent for the best results. A dry clean. The solvents they use in the dry cleaning process can damage your jacket.
A top loader with an agitator. It’s a rougher wash, and your jacket deserves a gentle hand. The spin cycle. Down is heavy when it’s wet, so err on the side of caution to avoid damage.
Wringing. Don’t wring your jacket, no matter how heavy it is. If you must, gently shake any excess water off while supporting the weight of the jacket.Use or storage of your down jacket while it’s wet. Otherwise, you’ll both be wet and smelly.
