Washing Down Filled Products
© Rab
How to wash a down product is one of the biggest questions that outdoor lovers face. You’ve invested in a down jacket or super warm down sleeping bag, so to preserve its quality, it’s worth investing your time into keeping it looking and functioning at its best.
Many hikers, cyclists, adventurers and climbers believe it isn’t possible to clean a down product, for the risk of ruining it or being left with a down product that’s not as insulating as it once was.
The truth is that it is quite simple to wash a down product, you just need to make sure that it’s done properly, using the right equipment and cleaning products to avoid the panic of thinking you’ve ruined your prized possession. With a bit of time and care, this guide will have your down product looking good, feeling warm and will actually extend its usable life.
We'd recommend washing once a season, or sooner if it gets dirty.
Wash
Step 1
Before washing, ensure all pockets are empty, close all zips and secure any velcro tabs in place.
Gently rinse off any thick dirt from your product by hand.
Ensure there are no detergent or fabric conditioner residues in your washing machine by cleaning out the trays and letting it run empty on a rinse setting.
Step 2
Hand or Machine Wash (Check product care label but generally 30C is recommended).
Wash using a technical cleaner such as Nikwax Down Wash Direct or Grangers Down Wash Concentrate.
Select an appropriate wash cycle on your machine - ideally with a low spin speed and temperature setting of 30C.
Avoid using powder detergents, fabric softeners, dry cleaning, stain removers, or bleach as these will harm the performance of the garment.
Rinse twice if possible to make sure there is no soap left in the item. Be careful when taking down items out of the washing machine. They can be heavy with water and being too rough can rip internal compartments. Support bigger items by ‘cradling’ them in a bath towel or similar whilst taking it out of the machine.
Very gently squeeze out any excess water.
© Nikwax
Dry
Step 1
Immediately tumble dry your product. Use a front-loading dryer on a cool (or synthetic) setting.
Step 2
Every 20-30 minutes, remove it from the dryer. Give it a shake and pat all the baffles to encourage the down into place. Adding (clean) tennis balls or tumble dryer balls really help loft the down.
Don't remove your item from the dryer too soon. It is tempting, we know. The outer fabric might feel dry, but the down inside may still be damp.
Drying can take anywhere from 3-8 hours. The bigger the item, the longer it takes. When your product is nice and puffy again, it's time to take it out.
© Nikwax
Down Clumps After Washing
First, re-wash your product to get the down wet again (this can simply be a rinse cycle).
Gently squeeze out any excess water. If the down's clumped, it might be worthwhile spreading the down out at this point to aid in the drying process. You can pinch the baffles and softly manipulate the down this way.
Place your product into a tumble drier on a low heat/gentle setting. Using drying balls or clean tennis balls will significantly aid the lofting process.
Every 20-30 mins remove the product and turn it inside out to promote even drying. Also, give the product several firm pats to help manipulate the down and break up any clumped areas.
Drying time varies depending on the product style and size but can take anywhere from 3-8 hours. It is better to dry the item longer than necessary as even though the face fabric can feel dry the down may still be damp.
© Rab Outdoor Equipment
