Miya Pearson
Down jackets and sleeping bags are made from animal feathers, which can be washed at home. However, they require special care to ensure that they remain clean, fluffy, and warm. Down feathers need to be washed with a specialist down cleaner, such as Nikwax Down Wash Direct, to ensure that their natural oils are not stripped away. This will help to maintain the item's insulation properties. Before washing, stains should be treated with a bio-based stain remover or a mixture of dish soap and hydrogen peroxide. It is important to close any zippers, buttons, or velcro to avoid snagging during the wash cycle. When drying, the addition of dryer balls or tennis balls can help to break up clumps of down and speed up drying time.
How to Wash a Down Sleeping Bag or Jacket
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Wash at least once a year for moderate use, and 2-3 times a year for heavy use |
| Washing Methods | Machine washing, hand washing, or spot cleaning |
| Machine Washing | Use a front-loading machine on a gentle cycle at 30°C, and a down-specific soap |
| Hand Washing | Fill a bathtub or sink with lukewarm water and a down-specific soap, gently knead or agitate the item, rinse, and squeeze out excess water |
| Drying | Use a commercial dryer on low heat, or air dry in a shady area for at least 2-3 hours, fluffing regularly to regain loft |
| Additional Tips | Use a sleeping bag liner to reduce the need for frequent washing, avoid dry cleaning, and always follow manufacturer's instructions |
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What You'll Learn
Use a down-specific detergent
Down jackets and sleeping bags are delicate, expensive, and high-end pieces of gear. To keep them protected, it is important to avoid standard washing detergents.
Down-specific detergents are formulated to avoid stripping away the natural oils that down feathers have, which can make them more susceptible to moisture. Standard detergents can be harmful to your down gear, so you don't want any residue mixing with the down wash. To avoid this, clean the detergent compartment thoroughly before adding the down-specific detergent.
There are several down-specific detergents available, such as Nikwax Down Wash Direct, Granger's Down Care Kit, and Down Wash from Nixwax. These products are designed to clean down items without removing their natural oils.
It is important to follow the instructions on the down-specific detergent you choose and to use the correct amount. Too much water can dilute the detergent, making it less effective.
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Wash on a low/cold setting
When washing a down sleeping bag or jacket, it is important to use a specific type of detergent. Avoid using conventional laundry detergents or 'active wash' products, as the harsh detergents, fillers, and brighteners they contain can stick to the down plumes and feathers and prevent them from lofting. Instead, opt for a soap specifically formulated for down, such as down-specific detergents like Nikwax Down Wash or Granger's solution. These mild soaps will rinse out without leaving any residue.
Once you have the appropriate soap, follow these steps:
Washing:
- Check the manufacturer's recommendations for washing the garment. Some down sleeping bags and jackets may have specific care instructions provided by the manufacturer.
- Inspect the jacket for any holes and repair them with circular or oval pieces of repair tape to prevent snagging.
- Close all the zippers to prevent tearing during the washing process.
- Turn the jacket or sleeping bag inside out to prevent wear to the outside fabric.
- If hand washing, fill a clean sink or bathtub halfway with warm water and add a capful of down soap. Avoid using too much soap, as it will require more rinsing to remove.
- If machine washing, use a front-loading washing machine on a gentle or delicate cycle with warm or cold water. Avoid top-loading washing machines, as they can damage the down filling and cause it to shift or form clumps.
- For sleeping bags, consider adding other damp items such as towels or t-shirts to help balance the spin of the machine and ensure thorough cleaning.
- Rinse at least twice or run through an additional soap-free wash-and-rinse cycle to ensure all soap residue is removed.
Drying:
- After washing, gently squeeze out the excess water.
- Place the item in a large laundry sack or stuff it into a stuff sack or jacket pocket. You can use a Ziploc bag if necessary.
- Set your tumble dryer to the lowest heat setting or delicates. High heat can damage the material, and even melt synthetic shells or delicate nylon fabrics.
- Check the item regularly to ensure it is not getting too hot.
- To speed up the drying process and prevent clumping, add two to three tennis balls or drying balls to the dryer. These help agitate the fill back to its original loft and break up clumps of down.
- Depending on the weight of the item, it can take 3-5 hours or longer to dry properly on a low setting.
- Once dry, remove the item from the dryer and turn it inside out. Return it to the laundry sack and put it back in the dryer for another cycle.
- After drying, let the item air inside uncompressed for a day or so to ensure it is completely dry before packing it away.
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Pre-treat stains
Before washing your down sleeping bag or jacket, it is important to pre-treat any stains. Check for highly soiled areas around the collar, zippers, Velcro, and foot box. For effective small-area cleaning, use a small amount of down soap (or a teaspoon of vinegar for tough stains) and gently scrub with a toothbrush. Then, finish by sponging the area with warm water to ensure all the cleaner is removed.
If you notice any spot stains, lightly scrub them with a mild detergent and a damp sponge. Close all zippers to prevent tearing in the dryer and turn the jacket or sleeping bag inside out to prevent wear to the outer fabric.
If you are handwashing your item, fill a sink or bathtub with lukewarm water and add either liquid soap flakes or a specialist down cleaner. Ensure there is nothing in the pockets and place the item into the water, gently pressing it down until it is submerged. Agitate the item a little and then leave it to soak for an hour or so. Drain the dirty water and refill the tub with fresh water. Gently massage the bag to remove the soap from the down.
It is important to use a down-specific soap to avoid removing the natural oils from the down. Never use fabric softener, bleach, or alternative bleach products.
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Dry with dryer balls
After washing your down jacket or sleeping bag, dry it with wool dryer balls or clean tennis balls. These will help to separate and fluff the down clusters, allowing for better airflow and faster drying times. They also prevent the down from clumping together.
To dry your down jacket or sleeping bag with dryer balls, first place your item in the dryer drum. If you are drying a jacket, you can add a few clean towels or other lightweight items to prevent the jacket from sticking to the drum. Set the dryer to a low or medium heat setting, as high heat can damage the down fill. Choose a gentle or delicate cycle to minimize agitation.
Next, drop in the dryer balls. For wool dryer balls, use 2 to 4, and for tennis balls, use 2 to 3. The dryer balls will help to separate and fluff the down clusters during the drying process. Begin the drying cycle and let the dryer balls work their magic. As the dryer balls tumble, they will help to evenly distribute heat and promote airflow, facilitating faster and more efficient drying.
Periodically check the item's dryness by touching and inspecting the interior and exterior. Every 30 minutes, remove the item, break up any clumps, shake it out to redistribute the down, and put it back in the dryer. When the down stops clumping together and the item feels light and fluffy, it has finished drying. Remove the item from the dryer and it's ready to be stored.
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Avoid fabric softener
When washing a down sleeping bag or jacket, it is important to avoid using fabric softener. This is because fabric softeners are designed to create a waxy film that softens your laundry. While this may be desirable for some fabrics, it is not suitable for down items. Down feathers are delicate and require special care to maintain their natural oils and texture. Fabric softeners can strip these natural oils, which help down retain its loft or "fluffiness". This can make the down more susceptible to moisture and reduce its insulating properties, defeating the purpose of a down jacket or sleeping bag.
Additionally, fabric softeners can leave behind residues and fragrances that may be undesirable for items used outdoors, such as down jackets. The fragrances may attract unwanted attention from insects or wildlife, and the residues may affect the performance of the fabric. Fabric softeners can also build up over time, making it difficult to restore the natural feel and texture of the down.
Instead of using fabric softener, it is recommended to use a mild soap or detergent specifically designed for down items. These soaps are very gentle and will rinse out without leaving any residue. They are formulated to maintain the natural oils of the down and prevent the feathers from becoming clumped or matted. By using the appropriate soap and avoiding fabric softener, you can effectively clean and care for your down sleeping bag or jacket while maintaining its loft and insulating properties.
It is worth noting that some sources recommend avoiding dryer sheets when drying down items, as they may have a similar effect to fabric softeners. While fabric softener should be avoided, there are other products specifically designed for restoring the water-repellent properties of down items, such as Down Proof. These products can be used after washing and drying your down sleeping bag or jacket to enhance their performance and longevity.
In summary, avoiding fabric softener when washing and drying down sleeping bags or jackets is crucial to maintaining the natural oils, texture, and insulating properties of the down feathers. Instead, opt for mild soaps or detergents specifically designed for down, and consider using products like Down Proof to enhance water repellency without affecting the performance of your down items.
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