How to Refluff Down Jacket?
30 Nov 2023
Perhaps every modern person has a down jacket in the winter closet. They are indispensable clothing for the cold season. They are characterized by their warmth and coziness, which is provided due to the special structure of the down. Most modern puffer jackets are designed for both hand and machine washing at home. However, after washing, the down can lose its volume, making the jacket flat and less effective in keeping warm. You might wonder how to re-fluff your down jacket then. Don't despair! If you do it right, the risk of the filler rolling away will be minimal.
However, the care of it is quite difficult. Familiar to many sad stories: down jacket washed, and the former shape is lost. It cannot simply be washed in the washing machine and hung up to dry like other things. When washing, the down gets wet, clumps together and the product will acquire an unattractive appearance. Deformation occurs because the filling rolls up during washing, creating irregularities and voids. If you do not take any measures to restore the original appearance of the filling, it will not keep you warm, and you will hardly want to wear such clothes.
It is quite expensive to use dry cleaning services, especially for owners of light-colored clothes, which have to be cleaned often. What should I do if the down in my jacket has become dislodged? Do not despair, you can safely wash your down jacket in the machine, and then use the materials in this article and return your thing to its original appearance and volume yourself.
However, the care of it is quite difficult. Familiar to many sad stories: down jacket washed, and the former shape is lost. It cannot simply be washed in the washing machine and hung up to dry like other things. When washing, the down gets wet, clumps together and the product will acquire an unattractive appearance. Deformation occurs because the filling rolls up during washing, creating irregularities and voids. If you do not take any measures to restore the original appearance of the filling, it will not keep you warm, and you will hardly want to wear such clothes.
It is quite expensive to use dry cleaning services, especially for owners of light-colored clothes, which have to be cleaned often. What should I do if the down in my jacket has become dislodged? Do not despair, you can safely wash your down jacket in the machine, and then use the materials in this article and return your thing to its original appearance and volume yourself.
Did You Ruin Your Down Jacket by Washing It?
Do you think that washing has ruined your down jacket or down vest? Don't be in a hurry to throw it away - perhaps not all is lost. If the fact is that the feathers have stuck together and half of the jacket seems empty and flat, know that it can be fixed. To avoid unpleasant consequences, as well as to restore a ruined jacket after washing, you should know the peculiarities of downfilling.
When the down is dry, lush, and evenly distributed in the jacket - it is an ideal insulator. Its fluffs create an air layer that retains heat, so we are cozy in a down jacket or coat in wet and cold weather. But frequent washing of the puffer jackets does not affect their heat-insulating properties too well, and no matter how delicately you treat the product, down feathers will still break and thin over time, and the jacket will not be as warm as before. However, to prevent this from happening after the first wash, it's important to keep some subtleties in mind.
The feather in the jacket can clump together not only because of the filler but also because of the quality of the washing detergent and the selected washing mode. During the washing process, it absorbs water, becomes heavy, and the fluff gets entangled, moving closer to the seams of the product and sticking together. As a result, part of the down jacket remains empty, and the lumps dry very poorly and look ugly. Do not worry, the down will recover as it dries, but it is important not to miss this time.
When the down is dry, lush, and evenly distributed in the jacket - it is an ideal insulator. Its fluffs create an air layer that retains heat, so we are cozy in a down jacket or coat in wet and cold weather. But frequent washing of the puffer jackets does not affect their heat-insulating properties too well, and no matter how delicately you treat the product, down feathers will still break and thin over time, and the jacket will not be as warm as before. However, to prevent this from happening after the first wash, it's important to keep some subtleties in mind.
The feather in the jacket can clump together not only because of the filler but also because of the quality of the washing detergent and the selected washing mode. During the washing process, it absorbs water, becomes heavy, and the fluff gets entangled, moving closer to the seams of the product and sticking together. As a result, part of the down jacket remains empty, and the lumps dry very poorly and look ugly. Do not worry, the down will recover as it dries, but it is important not to miss this time.
My Puffer Jacket Has Gone Flat After Washing – What to Do?
More often than not, you may experience a change in the shape of your down jacket after machine washing. For the outerwear to regain its original appearance, it is necessary to carefully straighten the filling. Irregularities and voids occur because the down during washing rolls up and sticks together, and during drying compacts, forming clumps. Don't be upset: the down can be restored by giving it a light "massage".
Spread the down by hand
The most time-consuming and labor-intensive method is the manual method of fluffing. It is suitable only for very patient owners. A quality result can be achieved if you start work when the down jacket is still wet and spend several cycles until it finally dries. With tingling movements, methodically break the felted down in each cell, distributing it evenly over the entire area, then rub the cell with the palms of your hands and move on to the next cell. In the process of "manual therapy," several times vigorously shake the product.
Drying with different temperatures
This method does not require a lot of effort and time, unlike manual reassembly of the feather down in the jacket, but it will not always be possible to use it. To arrange a down jacket contrast drying will work if the weather outside the window is dry and frosty. The method is based on the fact that by freezing and thawing, the down particles lose their adhesion to each other, and the resulting clumps of filler disintegrate and the thing gradually regains its original volume.
It's easy to give your down jacket a contrasting drying treatment: after washing, hang it on the hanger and spread it out well. If there are large clumps of down, manually divide them into smaller ones. In this form, leave the puffer jacket to dry at room temperature for one or two hours, after which shake it well and take it out for a couple of hours in the cold before returning to the house once again to shake it well. Ideally, you should repeat the procedure 3-4 times until the down coat is completely dry
This method may not always give 100% results, but it makes subsequent operations to restore the original volume of the product much easier
Using a vacuum bag
A vacuum bag is an excellent tool for preserving the volume and fluffiness of a down jacket after washing. It can be used to create conditions that minimize the possibility of compressing the filling of the down jacket. When using a vacuum bag, air is removed, which ensures that the quality of the feather down is preserved.
Before using a vacuum bag, it is recommended to wring out the puffer jacket well after washing. This will help remove excess moisture and avoid the possibility of mold or unpleasant odors. The jacket can then be placed in the vacuum bag.
It is important to note that vacuum bagging is not recommended for use with sports balls such as tennis balls. Exposing such balls to the vacuum bag can cause them to deform and lose their properties.
The process of using a vacuum bag is quite simple. You need to place the jacket in the bag and close it carefully to exclude air. Then, you should use a vacuum pump to remove the air by creating a strong pressure in the bag. As a result, the jacket will be compressed, which will help it regain its volume and fluffiness. To keep your down jacket in good condition for a long time, it is recommended to store it in a cool place.
With a clothing steamer
For the impact of the steamer, you need to hang the jacket on the shoulders and pass the steam from all sides - the outer and the wrong side. At the same time, you need to maintain a distance of 15-20 cm. Start from the top of the back, gradually moving to the shoulders and sleeves. The movements should be made from top to bottom. The steamer will help to straighten the fur on the hood.
With a stick, a rolling pin, or a beater
You can do the same thing with down as you would with a floor mat. You will need a carpet beater, a dough rolling pin, a fly swatter, or an ordinary stick. The down jacket should be buttoned up and spread out on a mattress, bed, or sofa, and the filling over the entire surface with gentle strokes. The front and back should be worked several times, and then shake vigorously and spread the remaining lumps with your fingers.
Washing machine/ dryer
You can also whip the down after washing the them in the washing machine itself. To do this, use the drying function or the spin function. When the down jacket is dry, turn it inside out and place it in the drum of the washing machine. In the same place, you can add children's wooden cubes - they will help to whip the down in the jacket. For such a procedure will be quite enough 3-5 cubes.
Turn the machine on the "drying" or "spin" function. After completion, it is important to assess the result. If the lumps have disappeared and the down is evenly distributed, it means that it was possible to properly fluff the down jacket. If there are still lumps, you can repeat the procedure with the cubes.
Use a hair dryer
Another faithful assistant in reanimating the down jacket is a hair dryer. It allows you not only to give the product volume and well-distribute the down but also significantly reduce the drying time. The principle of this method is similar to the use of a vacuum cleaner. The only difference is the direction of the airflow to break up the rolled down. The air should not be hot, because the feather under the influence of temperature can break, and the fabric will appear stained.
How to dry:
hair dryer after washing, place the down jacket on the shoulder pads;
let it dry for a while;
turn it inside out;
blow each cell of the jacket one by one, whipping and evenly distributing the down;
periodically fluff the product.
Spread the down by hand
The most time-consuming and labor-intensive method is the manual method of fluffing. It is suitable only for very patient owners. A quality result can be achieved if you start work when the down jacket is still wet and spend several cycles until it finally dries. With tingling movements, methodically break the felted down in each cell, distributing it evenly over the entire area, then rub the cell with the palms of your hands and move on to the next cell. In the process of "manual therapy," several times vigorously shake the product.
Drying with different temperatures
This method does not require a lot of effort and time, unlike manual reassembly of the feather down in the jacket, but it will not always be possible to use it. To arrange a down jacket contrast drying will work if the weather outside the window is dry and frosty. The method is based on the fact that by freezing and thawing, the down particles lose their adhesion to each other, and the resulting clumps of filler disintegrate and the thing gradually regains its original volume.
It's easy to give your down jacket a contrasting drying treatment: after washing, hang it on the hanger and spread it out well. If there are large clumps of down, manually divide them into smaller ones. In this form, leave the puffer jacket to dry at room temperature for one or two hours, after which shake it well and take it out for a couple of hours in the cold before returning to the house once again to shake it well. Ideally, you should repeat the procedure 3-4 times until the down coat is completely dry
This method may not always give 100% results, but it makes subsequent operations to restore the original volume of the product much easier
Using a vacuum bag
A vacuum bag is an excellent tool for preserving the volume and fluffiness of a down jacket after washing. It can be used to create conditions that minimize the possibility of compressing the filling of the down jacket. When using a vacuum bag, air is removed, which ensures that the quality of the feather down is preserved.
Before using a vacuum bag, it is recommended to wring out the puffer jacket well after washing. This will help remove excess moisture and avoid the possibility of mold or unpleasant odors. The jacket can then be placed in the vacuum bag.
It is important to note that vacuum bagging is not recommended for use with sports balls such as tennis balls. Exposing such balls to the vacuum bag can cause them to deform and lose their properties.
The process of using a vacuum bag is quite simple. You need to place the jacket in the bag and close it carefully to exclude air. Then, you should use a vacuum pump to remove the air by creating a strong pressure in the bag. As a result, the jacket will be compressed, which will help it regain its volume and fluffiness. To keep your down jacket in good condition for a long time, it is recommended to store it in a cool place.
With a clothing steamer
For the impact of the steamer, you need to hang the jacket on the shoulders and pass the steam from all sides - the outer and the wrong side. At the same time, you need to maintain a distance of 15-20 cm. Start from the top of the back, gradually moving to the shoulders and sleeves. The movements should be made from top to bottom. The steamer will help to straighten the fur on the hood.
With a stick, a rolling pin, or a beater
You can do the same thing with down as you would with a floor mat. You will need a carpet beater, a dough rolling pin, a fly swatter, or an ordinary stick. The down jacket should be buttoned up and spread out on a mattress, bed, or sofa, and the filling over the entire surface with gentle strokes. The front and back should be worked several times, and then shake vigorously and spread the remaining lumps with your fingers.
Washing machine/ dryer
You can also whip the down after washing the them in the washing machine itself. To do this, use the drying function or the spin function. When the down jacket is dry, turn it inside out and place it in the drum of the washing machine. In the same place, you can add children's wooden cubes - they will help to whip the down in the jacket. For such a procedure will be quite enough 3-5 cubes.
Turn the machine on the "drying" or "spin" function. After completion, it is important to assess the result. If the lumps have disappeared and the down is evenly distributed, it means that it was possible to properly fluff the down jacket. If there are still lumps, you can repeat the procedure with the cubes.
Use a hair dryer
Another faithful assistant in reanimating the down jacket is a hair dryer. It allows you not only to give the product volume and well-distribute the down but also significantly reduce the drying time. The principle of this method is similar to the use of a vacuum cleaner. The only difference is the direction of the airflow to break up the rolled down. The air should not be hot, because the feather under the influence of temperature can break, and the fabric will appear stained.
How to dry:
hair dryer after washing, place the down jacket on the shoulder pads;
let it dry for a while;
turn it inside out;
blow each cell of the jacket one by one, whipping and evenly distributing the down;
periodically fluff the product.
Ways to Eliminate the Problem
They are special quality garments that require special care when washing. When washing your down jacket, you should follow the manufacturer's recommendations to preserve its volume and fluffiness.
When washing them, you should use the program for delicate washing at the lowest possible temperature. During spinning, you should use the lowest setting or completely refuse spinning to avoid damaging the down jacket's filling.
It is also recommended to use a special detergent for down products, so as not to damage the very structure of the down and to preserve its volume. To prevent the fluff from clumping, it is better to add 3-4 tennis balls or special wool balls for washing (sold in hardware stores or on marketplaces) to the washing machine drum. One ball can be put in the side pockets, and a couple more - just throw them in the drum of the machine. They will put extra pressure on the item, breaking the down during the wash cycle.
When washing them, you should use the program for delicate washing at the lowest possible temperature. During spinning, you should use the lowest setting or completely refuse spinning to avoid damaging the down jacket's filling.
It is also recommended to use a special detergent for down products, so as not to damage the very structure of the down and to preserve its volume. To prevent the fluff from clumping, it is better to add 3-4 tennis balls or special wool balls for washing (sold in hardware stores or on marketplaces) to the washing machine drum. One ball can be put in the side pockets, and a couple more - just throw them in the drum of the machine. They will put extra pressure on the item, breaking the down during the wash cycle.
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