How to wash a down jacket without ruining it

Check the care label

Most down jackets can be machine washed, but not all. The label tells you:

• whether it can go in the machine or should be hand washed
• the highest temperature, often 30°C
• whether it can be tumble dried, and on what heat
• whether it is dry clean only

If the label says dry clean only, take it to a dry cleaner that handles down. If there is no label, wash it gently by hand and dry it slowly. Our guide to reading a clothing care label explains the symbols.

Do you need to wash it at all?

Down does not need washing often. Once or twice a season is plenty for most people. In between:

• Spot clean marks on the cuffs and collar with a damp cloth and a little mild detergent.
• Air it on a hanger after wearing.

Signs it is time for a full wash: it smells, it looks grubby, or it has gone flat and does not puff back up after a shake.

What you need

• a detergent made for down, sold by outdoor shops
• a front-loading washing machine, or a large one, so the jacket has room to move
• a tumble dryer, if the label allows it
• two or three clean dryer balls

Avoid normal detergent, fabric softener and stain removers. They can strip the natural oils in the down and leave it flat.

How to machine wash a down jacket

1. Empty the pockets and close every zip, popper and hook-and-loop tab, so nothing snags.
2. Turn it inside out if the label suggests it.
3. Clean the detergent drawer, so no old powder or softener gets onto the jacket.
4. Wash it on its own on a gentle or delicates cycle, at the temperature on the label.
5. Add an extra rinse, so no detergent is left in the down.
6. Spin gently. Use the spin speed the label suggests. A low or medium spin is usually the safe choice for the shell and the stitched pockets, called baffles, that hold the down in place.

When it comes out, it will look flat and lumpy. That is normal.

How to hand wash one

Fill a bath or large basin with lukewarm water and a little down detergent. Press the jacket under the water, squeeze it gently for a few minutes, then drain and rinse in clean water two or three times until no suds remain. Press the water out gently. Do not wring or twist it.

How to dry a down jacket

This is where most mistakes happen. Down has to be completely dry, all the way through, or it can clump, smell musty or grow mildew.

In a tumble dryer

1. Put the jacket in with two or three clean dryer balls.
2. Dry it on low heat. High heat can melt the shell fabric or scorch the down.
3. Take it out every 20 to 30 minutes, shake it and break up any clumps with your fingers.
4. Keep going until it feels light, fluffy and evenly filled, with no lumps. It can take a few hours.

Without a tumble dryer

Lay it flat on a drying rack in a warm, airy room, away from direct heat such as radiators or fires. Turn it and shake it every few hours, and break up clumps by hand. It can take two or three days. Be patient: putting it away damp is how down goes musty.

Common mistakes

• Using normal detergent or fabric softener.
• Overloading the machine, so the jacket cannot move freely.
• Drying on high heat.
• Putting it away before it is fully dry.
• Storing it compressed. Hang it, or keep it loosely in a large breathable bag. Long periods squashed in a stuff sack flatten the down.

Synthetic puffers

Puffers filled with synthetic insulation are usually easier. Follow the care label, wash gently and dry on low heat. They tend to recover their loft faster than down.

Buying a second-hand down jacket

Check these in the photos, or ask the seller through Message the seller:

• Loft. Does it look evenly puffed, or are there flat patches?
• Feathers poking through the shell. A few are normal. Lots can mean worn fabric.
• Small holes or tears, especially at the cuffs and pockets.
• Zips and poppers. Do they all work?
• Fit. Ask for the chest, sleeve and length in cm, laid flat, and compare with a coat you own. Our guide to how a winter coat should fit explains which measurements matter.

Buying for children? Our guide to second-hand kids' winter coats covers what to check.

The short version

Check the label, use a down detergent, wash gently with an extra rinse, and dry slowly on low heat with dryer balls until every clump is gone. Wash rarely, spot clean in between, and never put it away damp.