Maybe you spend a lot of time in a puffer jacket, especially in the winter! But eventually, there comes a time when the need to wash the Band-Aid outweighs the need to wear it. And when that time comes, there’s no need to send your favorite jacket to the dry cleaners! It’s not as confusing and daunting a task as it sometimes seems – you can wash your jacket safely and efficiently right from the comfort of your own home. In no time you will be enveloped in its pleasant warmth again!
Method # 1: Machine Washing a Puffer Jacket
1) Check the label to make sure the funnel is machine washable
Most inflatable jackets are machine washable, although be careful and follow the instructions on the label according to the instructions. Make sure you only use a front loader or a newer model top loader. On older top loaders, the center agitator can damage the thin outer layer of your inflatable tube.
No matter what washing machine you use, it is important to only use the gentle cycle.
2) Brush off any loose dirt:
Make sure you get rid of any stubborn bits of dirt clinging to your jacket or they can contaminate your laundry. It is also a good idea to close any pockets with a zip and turn the jacket inside out if possible.
3) Utilize a down-feather-particular cleaner:
The feathers inside your inflatable are very sensitive and harsh chemicals and detergents can cause damage by stripping the feathers of their natural oils, which in turn leads to brittle and brittle feathers. Using natural products or cleaning products specific to down jackets allows the down inside to retain its fluffiness, which makes for one happy jacket.
4) Set the washing machine to a gentle cycle with a low temperature.
Wash the down jacket in cold water only, as hot water can damage the outer shell. Be sure to use the ‘delicate’ or ‘wool’ cycle or whatever the gentlest equivalent is on your machine to avoid damaging the inflatable jacket.
5) Rinse your inflatable jacket thoroughly
If you can add an extra rinse cycle to your washing machine, do it. Otherwise, extend the rinse cycle as long as possible or re-rinse as needed to make sure no detergent remains on the down.
6) Skip the spin cycle:
Do not spin the jacket in the washing machine, it could damage the down on the inside. Instead, gently squeeze the excess water out of the inflated jacket and let it dry in the shade for 10 minutes before putting it in the dryer.
Make sure your jacket is laid flat to dry and gently fluff the down to prevent bunching.
Method # 2: Hand Washing a Puffer Jacket
1) Gently hand washes the inflated jacket:
If you are worried that the washing machine will not be kind enough to your jacket, you may prefer to wash it by hand. This will cause less stress on the outer shell and inner lining of your jacket.
2) Soak your jacket in warm water:
You can use a bathtub or sink to soak the jacket. Just fill it with warm water and use a special down cleaner to prevent unnecessary damage. Let your jacket soak for up to 60 minutes.
Regular detergents are too harsh on the down inside the jacket, leaving it clumpy and brittle. For best results, make sure your cleaner is machine washable!
3) Gently squeeze excess water out of the jacket:
Take off your jacket from getting wet and keep in mind that it will probably be heavy! Rinse the jacket by gently kneading the water out of the jacket as evenly as possible to prevent clumping of feathers inside. Do not wring the jacket, the feathers will stick together!
You can also gently shake the inflatable jacket to get rid of excess water, but make sure you can support its weight.
4) Hang the jacket out to dry for 10 minutes
Lay the jacket flat on a clothesline or drying rack and let it dry for 10 minutes before putting it in the dryer. This will allow excess water to drip off.
Method # 3 Drying a Puffer Jacket
1) Do not let the inflated jacket air dry completely.
Although it may seem like a gentler option, air drying often results in the clumping of feathers and water retention in the jacket. If the feathers clump together and hold moisture for too long, it can also cause your puffer to start smelling.
Remember to take the jacket out of the washing machine as soon as possible, you don’t want to leave it damp and wrinkled at the bottom of the washing machine any longer than necessary!
2) Dry the jacket on low heat.
Once you’ve gently kneaded the excess water from the funnel, put the jacket in the dryer on low heat. It is important to handle the buffer with care when drying – tumble drying is recommended as it is the best way to dry the jacket quickly and evenly.
Do not dry your jacket at a high temperature! It can speed up the process, but high-heat drying can also damage the outer shell.
3) Add two or three dryer balls to the dryer.
If you don’t have dryer balls, add two or three new, clean tennis balls to the dryer. The bouncy motion of the tennis balls will add extra fluff to your puffer jacket by redistributing the down on the inside. Check the jacket regularly as it dries. You may need to leave it for a few cycles to make sure it is completely dry and free of any lingering moisture.
Adding a few tennis balls can help restore the fluffiness of your jacket, but don’t add anything heavier as this can damage the delicate feathers!
4) Take off your puffer jacket and fluff.
Once you’re sure your jacket is completely dry, take it out of the dryer and fluff it with your hands to make sure the feathers are evenly distributed.