Avoid These 5 Mistakes When Washing Down Jackets to Avoid Ruining Them

In this article, you’ll discover the mistakes to avoid when washing your down jackets. These are great allies during autumn and winter. Their material and benefits make them very desirable, but when it comes to washing them, we’re often hesitant because if we don’t wash them properly, they could be damaged.

A bad washing process will result in a flattened and deformed down jacket. Since that’s definitely not what you want, then read on.

What are down jackets made of?

Although the answer to this question may seem obvious, it’s not. These types of jackets are stuffed, in some cases, with natural feathers that can be duck or goose. Others have a filling that simulates natural feathers, but are made from synthetic fibers, such as polyester.

Depending on the filling, they can be more or less difficult to wash. However, they should always be cared for to avoid pilling and deformation.

A good start is to check the washing instructions on the label of your garment. Taking care of it helps it perform optimally in cold weather, helping you to keep warm.

Discover the 5 mistakes to avoid when washing down jackets

If you have down jackets and want them to last a long time, learn how to wash them without ruining them. To achieve this, we have a list of five mistakes to avoid.

1. Don’t wash the jacket without checking the label

One of the biggest mistakes we make when washing down jackets is throwing them in the washing machine without checking them first. What you should do is make sure there is nothing inside the pockets, close all the zippers and velcro and finally turn it inside out.

That’s right, it’s best to wash it with the inside facing out.

2. Don’t mix the jacket with other garments

As we mentioned, down jackets are made in a special way and their filling requires specific care. Mixing it with other garments is a mistake you should avoid because, when washing it in the washing machine, you will have to use the delicate cycle, which may not work well for the other garments.

This even applies to all your clothes. The best thing to do is to put them together according to their material and wash them in a specific cycle for each one.

3. Setting the wrong cycle

One of the most common mistakes made when washing down jackets is to wash them on the wrong cycle. The key is to select the long delicate cycle, as it’s necessary to rinse these items very well. Another thing to consider is to use cold water.

You should avoid using hot water at all costs.

4. Don’t add fabric softener to the wash

Most people use fabric softener to wash their clothes, but in the case of down jackets, this is a big mistake. You should keep in mind that the substance to prefer is a detergent for delicate clothes.

The softener damages the feathers of the filling.

5. Overdoing it with the spin and drying it wrong

The last of the most common mistakes made when washing down jackets is overdoing it with the spin. The maximum that should be programmed is a cycle of 400 revolutions – that is to say, the gentlest. This ensures that the filling doesn’t clump.

However, isn’t also not a good idea to dry it directly in the appliance without taking prior considerations. Avoid damaging your jacket with a simple trick: place two to three tennis balls inside the dryer. This will make the feathers move and distribute them throughout the garment, avoiding material clumps.

In addition, avoid pressing it to store it. It’s better to hang it from a hook or fold it gently so that it doesn’t lose its shape.

Recommendations for washing down jackets by hand

Now that you are clear about the mistakes to avoid when washing your down jackets, we want to give you some recommendations to consider when washing by hand:

• Always use cold water. Fill the bathtub or a large basin to be more comfortable when washing the jacket.
• Prefer the use of a detergent for delicate garments. It’s better if it’s liquid, which will make it easier to remove.
• Don’t use too much force when scrubbing the stains on the jacket. Make continuous but gentle movements.
• Rinse the soap thoroughly and again with cold water.
• Wring out the jacket with gentle compression. Do not twist the garment.
• Don’t hang it up right away. Take your jacket in your hands and place it on a flat place, such as an ironing board. Avoid direct sunlight and turn it over a couple of times.

Avoid the mistakes we’ve mentioned when it comes to washing down jackets and follow the recommendations listen on your tacket’s care tag. If you do, you’ll find that keeping these garments clean has never been easier.