Down jackets don’t need much care, but eventually, they can take on dirt, spills, or even start to smell funky — especially if you wear your jacket as a midlayer for high-activity winter pursuits.
So, unless you plan on adventuring solo for the rest of your life, you should probably learn how to wash your down jacket. Here, we’ve put together a guide on how to wash, dry, and fluff your down jacket — without ruining it.
Don’t have a jacket to wash? Then start by checking out our roundup of the Best Down Jackets and the Best Down Jackets for Women.
Prep: What You Will Need
Do not just toss that jacket in the washing machine. There are a few important tips to heed before diving in.
Next, know that you will need a front-loading washing machine. This is non-negotiable if you want to remove your down jacket in at least the same condition (hopefully better) as when you put it into the wash. If you don’t have a front-loading machine, don’t fret. These same steps will work at the local laundromat.
Next, make sure you have detergent or wash made for down products. Nikwax Down Wash Direct is the gold standard in the outdoors, but you can find great alternatives at Gear Aid and Allied Feather and Down.
First, plan to wash your jacket in spring or summer to have it prepped ahead of winter. You don’t want to get stuck having to wash a funky coat in mid-winter, just when you need to wear it. Washing a down jacket is not quite as simple as washing a shirt. Plan to run a few cycles to confidently wash and dry your jacket properly.
How to Wash a Down Jacket
- Read the clothing tags. Although the guidelines here should allow you to wash your down jacket without a problem, some manufacturers have particular requirements for certain products. Make sure you’re aware of any specific washing or drying requirements and follow the instructions on the clothing tag. If you can’t find the tag, or if you (ahem) cut it off, check the manufacturer’s website for care instructions.
- Use a front-loading washing machine. You were warned! Top-loading washing machines have a central agitator that can mess up the down insulation in your jacket, so be sure to use a front-loading washing machine instead. If you don’t have one at home, go to a laundromat.
- Pre-wash: Though not absolutely necessary, pre-rinsing your down jacket without any detergent can help saturate the down through the face fabric and prep it for cleaning.
- Wash your down jacket with down detergent and cold water. There are specific detergents for down products, such as those listed above. This detergent will help maintain or improve the down’s natural water repellency and insulating properties. Normal laundry detergent may damage the down. You might also see warm or cold water recommendations for washing down jackets, both from brands and from other people’s experiences. Check both the down detergent’s directions as well as your jacket tags for advice. But if you’re nervous about ruining your jacket, washing it in cold water is the safest bet and will help save energy.
- Rinse your down jacket. The jacket should be fully rinsed. If you see any signs of soap when you remove the down jacket from the washing machine, you may want to run it through another cycle of cold water without any detergent.
- Dry at low (or no) heat while fluffing the down. Just as with water temperature, make sure to check your jacket tags for guidelines on how to dry your jacket. Low heat should be okay, but be aware that hotter temperatures may melt the outer layer of your down jacket. When drying your jacket, several places, including REI, say to add a few (clean) tennis balls to the dryer. The balls will bounce around as the jacket dries and help fluff the down and keep it from clumping. If you don’t have tennis balls handy, you can use dryer balls or other dryer-safe items, like a clean shoe. It bears repeating, use a clean shoe if you do not have tennis balls. If all else fails, you can remove the jacket periodically and carefully pull apart any down clumps with your fingers. Drying your jacket may take a couple of cycles, so be prepared for a bit of a wait.
Once you’re all done and your down jacket looks clean and feels dry, consider giving it one final pass through the dryer. You want to ensure that the down inside the jacket is completely dry.
Frequently Asked Questions: Washing a Down Jacket
When should I wash my down jacket?
If you are unsure when to wash your jacket, keep an eye open for a few things. When the colors of your jacket start to dull, it’s likely starting to get grimy. Plus, if you use your jacket regularly, you’re probably going to end up spilling things on it.
Also, down will flatten with a lot of use. These are all signs that it’s time to wash your jacket.
Above all, use common sense. If your jacket starts to smell, you should probably wash it.
Can I use normal detergent when washing a down jacket?
We don’t recommend using normal laundry detergent. A down wash, like Nikwax Down Wash Direct, is specifically designed to protect the natural oils in down that regular detergent strips away. Plus, if your jacket has a water-resistant coating, regular detergent may damage that as well.
Should I air dry my down jacket?
Although it is possible to air dry your jacket, it often takes 24 to 48 hours for it to completely dry. In addition, you will have to frequently unclump the down as it dries so it fluffs up. This fluffiness is part of how your down jacket keeps you warm. If you dry your jacket in a machine, you’re able to add tennis balls or other lightweight, dryer-safe items to help keep it fluffy.
Make sure to use a low heat setting on your dryer to get better results than by air drying.
Does it matter if my down is synthetic?
Jackets can be made with either synthetic or natural down. There are some pros and cons to both, but you wash and dry them the same way. We always recommend checking your tags for any special instructions for your specific down jacket.
