Guides

How to wash your down jacket

How do you wash your down jacket? How do you freshen up your training garments with synthetic padding? We guide you step by step.

Text: Mimmi Ljungblad
Photos: Ted Olsson

Published 2023-03-18

How to wash a down jacket and a jacket with synthetic padding:

1. PREPARE THE JACKET

Close all zippers, snaps and buttons and turn the jacket inside out. The following steps also apply to vests with down- or synthetic padding.

2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT DETERGENT

Use liquid detergent for both down jackets and jackets with synthetic padding. Exclude fabric softener as it may encapsulate dirt and odor.

3. FOLLOW THE WASHING THREAD

Follow the washing instructions for each garment, but remember to wash the down jacket cold at a maximum of 30-40 degrees. Likewise jackets with synthetic padding, here a maximum of 30 degrees applies.

4. RINSE THE JACKET THOROUGHLY

Be sure to remove all detergent from the garment, especially if you wash by hand.

5. IF DOWN PADDING - DRY THE DOWN JACKET WITH TENNIS BALLS

If the padding is made of down - throw in a couple of tennis balls during washing, and when you tumble dry, so that the down regains its volume.

READ MORE: "How to take care of your functional garments."

6. IF SYNTHETIC PADDING - HANG DRY JACKET

If the padding is made of synthetic – hang dry at room temperature.

READ MORE: "How to take care of your functional garments"

DOWN VERSES SYNTHETICS?

One often talks about down versus synthetic padding. The advantages of down are that the material is light, compressible and binds a lot of air and thus heat. The disadvantage is that the down loses a large part of its volume and insulating ability when the material gets wet, and also dries slowly.

Jackets with synthetic padding, on the other hand, perform just as well in high humidity and precipitation because synthetics do not absorb water as easily, and dry quickly. However, it does not heat as efficiently. At the same time, development is constantly advancing.