How to Wash a Down Jacket at Home

Can You Really Wash a Down Jacket at Home?

Yes! Despite what many people think, most down jackets can be safely washed at home in a regular washing machine. In fact, professional dry cleaning can actually damage down insulation because the solvents strip the natural oils from the feathers.

The key is using the right technique, the right detergent, and — crucially — drying it properly.

Before You Start

1. Check the care label. Most down jackets allow gentle machine washing at 30°C
2. Close all zippers and fasten any Velcro to prevent snagging
3. Turn the jacket inside out
4. Remove any fur trim if it detaches
5. Pre-treat stains on the cuffs, collar, and zipper areas with a mild soap

What You’ll Need

• A front-loading washing machine (top-loaders with agitators can damage baffles)
• Down-specific detergent (Nikwax Down Wash, Granger’s Down Wash, or similar)
• 3-4 clean tennis balls or dryer balls
• Patience — the drying process takes time

Washing Steps

1. Load the Machine

• Use a front-loading machine if possible
• Put only the jacket in — wash it alone to give it room
• Set to gentle/delicate cycle at 30°C (cold)
• Use a slow spin speed

2. Detergent

• Use a down-specific wash — regular detergent leaves residue that clumps the down
• Never use fabric softener — it coats the down and ruins its lofting ability
• Use the recommended amount (usually less than you think)

3. Rinse Cycle

• Run an extra rinse cycle to remove all detergent
• Detergent residue is the #1 reason down loses its loft after washing

4. Spin

• Use a gentle spin to remove excess water
• The jacket will look flat and sad at this point — that’s normal!

Drying: The Critical Step

This is where most people go wrong. Proper drying is the difference between a fluffy jacket and a flat, clumpy mess.

1. Place the jacket in the dryer on low heat (never high!)
2. Add 3-4 clean tennis balls — these break up clumps of down as the jacket tumbles
3. Dry for 2-3 hours on low heat — yes, it takes this long
4. Every 30 minutes, take the jacket out and manually break up any clumps with your hands
5. The jacket is done when it’s completely dry and fully lofted — if in doubt, dry longer

Critical: If the down isn’t fully dry, it can develop mildew. Better to over-dry than under-dry.

Alternative: Air Drying

If you don’t have a dryer:

1. Lay the jacket flat on a drying rack
2. In a warm, well-ventilated area
3. Manually fluff and break up clumps every hour
4. This can take 24-48 hours — be patient
5. Make sure it’s completely dry before storing

Maintenance Tips

• Don’t store compressed. Hang your down jacket or store it loosely in a breathable garment bag
• Spot clean first. If only the cuffs or collar are dirty, clean just those areas with a damp cloth and mild soap
• Wash 1-2 times per season at most — down jackets don’t need frequent washing
• Re-waterproof after washing if your jacket has a DWR (durable water repellent) finish — use a spray-on product like Nikwax TX.Direct

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Why It’s Bad
Using regular detergent	Strips natural oils, clumps the down
Dry cleaning	Solvents damage down
High heat drying	Can melt the shell fabric
Not drying fully	Causes mildew and odor
Skipping tennis balls	Down stays clumped
Wringing out water	Damages baffles and tears fabric