Down
Practical and warming yet lightweight, down is the insulating layer found in many puffer jackets, parka coats and gilets. With the appropriate care, these winter staples can go the distance as forever investments.
How to Wash Down
“Firstly, you should only be washing a down jacket when you really need to,” says Clothes Doctor founder Lucinda O’Connor. The process “can weaken and accelerate the natural decomposition of the feathers,” she explains. When dealing with dried-on dirt and visible stains, Lucinda advises brushing the jacket with a clothes brush instead of washing. “For stubborn areas, you can spot-wash with a mild, bleach-free detergent and water,” recommends Woody Blackford, Canada Goose’s executive vice president of product. Lightweight puffer jackets can, on occasion, be machine-washed, he says – “in cold water using a bleach-free detergent” – alongside which Lucinda recommends including a laundry egg or even a tennis ball, “to prevent the down from clumping and going lumpy”.
How to Care for Down
The way you dry your down jacket is just as important as how you wash it. “Start by laying it flat on a drying rack for a couple of hours,” recommends Lucinda. “Put a towel underneath it to catch drips!” What about tumble drying? Fine, if the setting is cool and gentle. “Again, add a tennis ball to keep the down from clumping,” she says. When it comes to stowing your down during warmer months, there are some key rules to remember. “Store your jacket in the cleanest condition possible. Dirt, sweat and oils will degrade the fabrics over time,” says Canada Goose’s Woody Blackford. “Best practice is to use a breathable garment bag to protect from dust and dirt,” he says, and “avoid compressing down jackets into cramped spaces”.
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