DOWN CARE 101
May 13, 2021
LifeWear
Learn how to care for your Down jackets, so you can treasure them season after season.
Down jackets are essential winter items, but their care presents challenges. If you’re like most people, you’ve probably sent them to professional launderers whenever they get dirty. But laundering every time can get expensive, so you’ve likely wondered whether it’d be better if you could launder them at home as well.
In fact, home laundering is possible, if you follow these rules. Minami Nagase, a laundering and clothing care expert, joins us from Lenet, an online laundering service, to provide laundering and maintenance tips for down jackets.
For this lesson, the laundering method for an Ultra Light Down jacket is presented, partly because washing in water is recommended for the item. The down of the namesake jackets comes from waterfowl, so washing in water minimizes harm. Be aware dry cleaning may hasten deterioration because it removes the oil that’s present in the waterfowl’s down.
1. Preparations for Washing by Hand
Prepare by filling a sink or wash basin with lukewarm water (40ºC or less). Add a neutral detergent in the manufacturer’s prescribed amount, and stir well. You might be tempted to hastily measure the amount by eye, but don’t. If you follow the prescribed amount for each item, you save time because you’ll be able to avoid unnecessary rinsing.
2. Wash the Stained Sections First
Before soaking the down jacket in water, apply some detergent to a sponge or cloth and wipe particularly stained areas, like the collar and sleeve openings.
3. Soak the Down Jacket and Wash by Pushing
Fold the jacket, and wash by pushing. If you’re worried that the stains have not come out, then let the jacket soak for about 20 minutes. When you’ve finished washing, drain the sink or wash basin while leaving the jacket inside. Then, gently push from above to squeeze out water. Never wring the jacket because wringing damages the down and the fabric.
4. Rinse in Clean Water
Rinse two to three times, while replacing the water each time. If detergent remains in the fabric, discolouration may occur. Continue replacing the water and rinsing until no detergent foam forms.
If you wish to use a softener, this would be the best time. Add softener to clean water in the manufacturer’s prescribed amount and mix. Let soak for three to five minutes before drying.
5. Gently Dry
While the jacket is still inside the sink or wash basin, push from above to remove water. Then, wrap the jacket in a bath towel and soak up the water. Turn the torso and sleeves outward and press out the water, if you want to hasten its removal. Avoid using a dryer because its use results in damage.
NOTE: With seamless down, gently rolling the item in a bath towel to remove water is recommended to prevent peeling of the seamless tape.
6. Shape
The down may have clumped in places, so gently break up the clumps using both hands before drying.
7. Dry in a Suitable Location
Dry the jacket in a well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight.
1. Shape
The down may have clumped in places, so gently pat to break up the clumps.
2. Use a Hanger when Drying
Use a hanger, and hang dry. Direct sunlight leads to discoloration, so hang the item in a well-ventilated place in the shade.
When hanging dry indoors, open two windows to enable a breeze or turn on a ventilation fan. If your home is equipped with a bathroom dryer/dehumidifier, then the use of both a ventilation fan and dehumidifier will accelerate drying.
3. Shape
Once the jacket is completely dry, gently pat the entire jacket to return it to its original shape.
During the colder periods of the year, it may be difficult to determine whether the item is dry. At such times, warm your hands with a hairdryer, and gently squeeze the fabric. You’ll be able to easily tell whether the item is still wet.
If the down item can be put into a clothes dryer, then use the lowest temperature setting of the combined washing and drying machine and dry for about five minutes to produce a fluffy feel. Ultra Light Down items should never be dried in a home washing and drying machine or its rinse cycle. Always wash Ultra Light Down items by hand.
Dirt
1. Dry the Dirt and Scrub It Off with a Toothbrush
Soil liquifies and penetrates deeper into the fabric when moistened, so use a hairdryer on the lowest setting to dry the dirt first. Once the dirt is dry, use a toothbrush to stroke in one direction, and scrub off any large areas of dirt.
2. Use Solid Soap to Lift the Dirt
After some dirt has been lifted, moisten the area, and rub a bar of soap against it. Then, use a toothbrush to stroke in one direction, and scrub off the dirt. Never substitute liquid body soap because it uses a different formula.
Avoid stopping at simply cleaning the problem areas. The cleaned areas will conversely stand out when the item dries. Always wash the entire item after spot washing. The use of the aforementioned method is recommended when washing Ultra Light Down items.
You’ll want to devote some effort to regular upkeep if you want to wear that favorite down item for as long as possible. That said, it’s difficult to devote care to the item every single day. Here then are upkeep methods for different situations, like at the end of a day or season or after some rain.
Wet with Rain
Wipe off the raindrops with a towel. Then hang the item in the shade to let it naturally dry. If you have the time and energy, consider washing. It will keep the item in a cleaner condition.
Exposed Down
The more you wear a down item greater the probability of some down showing through. Pulling the down outward enlarges the hole, so pinch the down from the opposite side and pull it back inside.
Day’s End
If you wear the item every day during the season, more wearing and staining are inevitable. After use, hang the item in the shade to dry it. After evaporating moisture, like perspiration, hang the item in a closet. Avoid wearing the item every day.
While the use of an odour eliminating spray is tempting, avoid its overuse because it may result in stains.
Neutral detergents for delicate clothing are not particularly cleansing. Faint stains may be gradually accumulating, so it’s a good idea to entrust the item to a professional launderer at season’s end before putting away the item. Store the item in a well-ventilated location away from UV rays.
A down jacket sees frequent use during the colder periods of the year, as either outerwear or a middle layer. It lends itself to almost any situation, so you’ll want to always keep it in prime condition and ready to wear.
Shop Women’s Ultra Light Down
Shop Men’s Ultra Light Down
Shop Women’s Puffer Jackets & Vest
Shop Men’s Puffer Jackets & Vest
Explore the Down Range
In fact, home laundering is possible, if you follow these rules. Minami Nagase, a laundering and clothing care expert, joins us from Lenet, an online laundering service, to provide laundering and maintenance tips for down jackets.
WASHING DOWN JACKETS
For this lesson, the laundering method for an Ultra Light Down jacket is presented, partly because washing in water is recommended for the item. The down of the namesake jackets comes from waterfowl, so washing in water minimizes harm. Be aware dry cleaning may hasten deterioration because it removes the oil that’s present in the waterfowl’s down.
1. Preparations for Washing by Hand
Prepare by filling a sink or wash basin with lukewarm water (40ºC or less). Add a neutral detergent in the manufacturer’s prescribed amount, and stir well. You might be tempted to hastily measure the amount by eye, but don’t. If you follow the prescribed amount for each item, you save time because you’ll be able to avoid unnecessary rinsing.
2. Wash the Stained Sections First
Before soaking the down jacket in water, apply some detergent to a sponge or cloth and wipe particularly stained areas, like the collar and sleeve openings.
3. Soak the Down Jacket and Wash by Pushing
Fold the jacket, and wash by pushing. If you’re worried that the stains have not come out, then let the jacket soak for about 20 minutes. When you’ve finished washing, drain the sink or wash basin while leaving the jacket inside. Then, gently push from above to squeeze out water. Never wring the jacket because wringing damages the down and the fabric.
4. Rinse in Clean Water
Rinse two to three times, while replacing the water each time. If detergent remains in the fabric, discolouration may occur. Continue replacing the water and rinsing until no detergent foam forms.
If you wish to use a softener, this would be the best time. Add softener to clean water in the manufacturer’s prescribed amount and mix. Let soak for three to five minutes before drying.
5. Gently Dry
While the jacket is still inside the sink or wash basin, push from above to remove water. Then, wrap the jacket in a bath towel and soak up the water. Turn the torso and sleeves outward and press out the water, if you want to hasten its removal. Avoid using a dryer because its use results in damage.
NOTE: With seamless down, gently rolling the item in a bath towel to remove water is recommended to prevent peeling of the seamless tape.
6. Shape
The down may have clumped in places, so gently break up the clumps using both hands before drying.
7. Dry in a Suitable Location
Dry the jacket in a well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight.
DRYING DOWN JACKETS
1. Shape
The down may have clumped in places, so gently pat to break up the clumps.
2. Use a Hanger when Drying
Use a hanger, and hang dry. Direct sunlight leads to discoloration, so hang the item in a well-ventilated place in the shade.
When hanging dry indoors, open two windows to enable a breeze or turn on a ventilation fan. If your home is equipped with a bathroom dryer/dehumidifier, then the use of both a ventilation fan and dehumidifier will accelerate drying.
3. Shape
Once the jacket is completely dry, gently pat the entire jacket to return it to its original shape.
During the colder periods of the year, it may be difficult to determine whether the item is dry. At such times, warm your hands with a hairdryer, and gently squeeze the fabric. You’ll be able to easily tell whether the item is still wet.
If the down item can be put into a clothes dryer, then use the lowest temperature setting of the combined washing and drying machine and dry for about five minutes to produce a fluffy feel. Ultra Light Down items should never be dried in a home washing and drying machine or its rinse cycle. Always wash Ultra Light Down items by hand.
CLEANING STAINED AREAS
Dirt
1. Dry the Dirt and Scrub It Off with a Toothbrush
Soil liquifies and penetrates deeper into the fabric when moistened, so use a hairdryer on the lowest setting to dry the dirt first. Once the dirt is dry, use a toothbrush to stroke in one direction, and scrub off any large areas of dirt.
2. Use Solid Soap to Lift the Dirt
After some dirt has been lifted, moisten the area, and rub a bar of soap against it. Then, use a toothbrush to stroke in one direction, and scrub off the dirt. Never substitute liquid body soap because it uses a different formula.
Avoid stopping at simply cleaning the problem areas. The cleaned areas will conversely stand out when the item dries. Always wash the entire item after spot washing. The use of the aforementioned method is recommended when washing Ultra Light Down items.
UPKEEP
You’ll want to devote some effort to regular upkeep if you want to wear that favorite down item for as long as possible. That said, it’s difficult to devote care to the item every single day. Here then are upkeep methods for different situations, like at the end of a day or season or after some rain.
Wet with Rain
Wipe off the raindrops with a towel. Then hang the item in the shade to let it naturally dry. If you have the time and energy, consider washing. It will keep the item in a cleaner condition.
Exposed Down
The more you wear a down item greater the probability of some down showing through. Pulling the down outward enlarges the hole, so pinch the down from the opposite side and pull it back inside.
Day’s End
If you wear the item every day during the season, more wearing and staining are inevitable. After use, hang the item in the shade to dry it. After evaporating moisture, like perspiration, hang the item in a closet. Avoid wearing the item every day.
While the use of an odour eliminating spray is tempting, avoid its overuse because it may result in stains.
Neutral detergents for delicate clothing are not particularly cleansing. Faint stains may be gradually accumulating, so it’s a good idea to entrust the item to a professional launderer at season’s end before putting away the item. Store the item in a well-ventilated location away from UV rays.
A down jacket sees frequent use during the colder periods of the year, as either outerwear or a middle layer. It lends itself to almost any situation, so you’ll want to always keep it in prime condition and ready to wear.
Shop Women’s Ultra Light Down
Shop Men’s Ultra Light Down
Shop Women’s Puffer Jackets & Vest
Shop Men’s Puffer Jackets & Vest
Explore the Down Range