Down jackets, as an important equipment for keeping warm in winter, are loved by people for their light and efficient thermal performance. However, how to properly wash and maintain down jackets is a headache. Incorrect cleaning and maintenance methods will not only damage the warmth of the down jacket, making it lose its original fluffiness and softness, but also shorten its service life, so that this intimate little padded jacket that should accompany us through the cold winter will be retired early.

In order to help you better protect your down jacket, the following will introduce the cleaning and maintenance methods of down jackets in detail, so that you can enjoy the warmth while also prolonging the service life of the down jacket.

1. Clean the down jacket

Spot cleaning is preferred. If the down jacket is only partially soiled, there is no need to wash the whole piece. Because frequent washing of the whole piece can affect the warmth of the down. For spot stains, you can simply apply a few drops of collar cleaner or detergent to the dirty area, let it sit for a few minutes, and then gently wipe it with a damp towel. If the stain is not completely removed at one time, repeat the operation several times.

When the down jacket is dirty as a whole, it is inevitable to wash the whole piece. However, please note that the entire piece should be washed by hand, not machine. The specific steps are as follows:

Soak the down jacket in cold water for 20 minutes to fully moisten the inside and outside. Then dissolve the special detergent (remember not ordinary laundry detergent or soap) in warm water at 30 degrees, and soak the down jacket in it for 15 minutes. Then gently scrub with a soft-bristled brush, taking care to use moderate pressure to avoid damaging the fabric.

After brushing, remove the down jacket from the washing liquid, lay it flat on a clean countertop, and use a soft brush dipped in a small amount of washing liquid to gently scrub from the inside to the outside to ensure that every part is clean. Then control most of the moisture and rinse the down jacket several times in clean water to thoroughly remove detergent residue.

After washing, lay the down jacket flat or hang it to dry. Remember not to wring or spin out the down to avoid damaging the down. At the same time, avoid direct sunlight and high temperature drying, so that the down does not lose its elasticity. After drying, gently pat the down jacket to return to a fluffy and soft state.

2. Down jacket maintenance

Dry storage is key. The main fillings of down jackets are down and feathers, which have good fluffiness and warmth. However, once exposed to moisture or water, down is prone to caking and deterioration, resulting in a decrease in thermal performance. Therefore, when storing down jackets, always make sure that they are completely dry and placed in a ventilated and dry place to avoid moisture and mold.

It's also important to avoid heavy stress. When storing down jackets, try to avoid being pressed by heavy objects. Because long-term compression will cause the down to lose its elasticity and become flat, which will affect the thermal performance. Therefore, it is recommended that when you save your down jacket, it is best to hang it in your wardrobe or use a wide hanger to avoid folding and heavy pressure.

Regular drying is an effective way to maintain your down jacket. Even if your down jacket is not worn often, it needs to be dried in a ventilated place regularly. Because it is easy to get damp and produce odor when left for a long time. By drying it regularly, odors can be removed and the fill power of the down can be restored, maintaining its good thermal properties.

Pest control measures should not be overlooked. Since down is a cover for birds, it is easy to attract bugs. To prevent bugs from biting your down jacket, it is recommended that you keep some insect repellent such as mothballs in your wardrobe. However, please be aware that when using insect repellents, follow safety protocols to avoid harm to humans and the environment.

The use of special detergents is an important part of protecting down jackets. When washing down jackets, it is recommended that you use a special down jacket detergent. Because ordinary laundry detergent or soap and other detergents are easy to destroy the warmth of down, special detergents can better protect down and prolong the service life of down jackets.