How to properly dry a down jacket after washing in a washing machine?

When washing a down jacket by hand or in a washing machine, be prepared for felting—this is normal. The down inside the jacket gets wet, clumps together, and forms a lump that settles at the bottom of the sewn-in compartment. If you dry your down jacket properly after washing it in the washing machine or by hand, it will quickly return to its original shape and serve you as well as before. Let's explore all the intricacies of drying a down jacket.

It's easier to dry naturally

The easiest way to dry a down jacket is to air dry it. This means avoiding any artificial conditions or special drying tools.

It's a great idea to have a wire drying rack. Lay your down jacket out on it, turning out the pockets, unzipping it, and straightening it out in a well-ventilated area immediately after washing. If you have a warm but relatively dry balcony, this would be a perfect spot. This way, you will cut the drying time of the product in half and will not let the filling “rot”!

What does "rot" mean when we're talking about down? If you don't remove the item from the washing machine immediately after the cycle ends, there's a risk that the down will simply rot. This can lead to an unpleasant, basement-like odor that won't go away even after it's completely dry.

However, don't relax too much while your down jacket is drying this way; you'll still have to be directly involved in the process several times. From time to time, you'll need to turn the garment over, smooth it out, and try to manually distribute the filling through the fabric. You can even use a light fluffing motion. But don't overdo it: don't beat it too hard or make any sudden movements, as this could tear the fabric. Repeat these steps until the garment is completely dry.

Note: After the down jacket has completely dried, you can lightly fluff it with a clean beater to further fluff up the filling.

Automatic drying of down jackets

The faster the pace of life, the more people tend to delegate as many household chores as possible to appliances. This includes drying. Modern housewives resort to using automatic dryers for their down jackets. They place balls in the pockets and then dry them at a temperature no higher than 30 degrees Celsius: the results are quite satisfactory. However, be prepared for the loud noise from the balls.

Manufacturers are against this practice: every down jacket has a sign prohibiting machine drying. This is due to the fact that the thermal insulation properties of the filler are lost when heated strongly.

In addition to automatic dryers, drying mannequins are also common. These are structures similar to hangers. The down jacket is placed on them like a mannequin and dried from the inside using air at preset temperatures.

The drying time of a down jacket on a mannequin is limited to several hours, which frees the user from any problems caused by a slow drying down jacket.

How to save a down jacket that won't dry?

Sometimes a down jacket just won't dry. If you've been trying to dry it for more than two days, you need to take immediate action, as the filling will quickly begin to rot if you wait. Experienced homemakers recommend several time-tested methods for reviving a damp down jacket:

• Spin the down jacket in the washing machine, remembering to put the balls in the pockets. Do this only once;
• Smooth the item with a hand-held massage tool without sharp edges. Apply gentle, even pressure.
• If you have a vacuum cleaner with a reverse mode (one that blows air out rather than sucks it in), attach the crevice tool to the vacuum cleaner's suction and turn on the gentlest setting. Run cool air along the inside of the down jacket. This will speed up drying without damaging the feathers.

Important! Instead of a vacuum cleaner, you can use a regular fan, a garden blower, or other devices that move air without heat.

Another innovative way to revive a down jacket is by exposing it to extremely low temperatures. You can either leave it in a spacious freezer for a while or hang it outside in the cold. The down will compress into icy lumps, which should then be thoroughly broken up with a small mallet or simply by hand. This will help evenly distribute the down throughout the compartment. Then, air-dry the jacket.

   

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