Washing down filled jacket

Yorkie1

Apologies if this is on the wrong board.

I have a down filled gilet from joules. Washed and dried for first time as per instructions, but the down is all clumped together, effectively ruining it.

Any ideas how I might rectify it? Would re washing work? Really quite upset as it was a present.

Thanks.

devon27_2

Long shot but if it can be tumble dryed try putting it in with a few tennis balls to see if that will restore the filling? may not help but hope its does

southcoastrgi

it must be posh up north, we call em body warmers down here

gavinh1175

devon27 wrote: »

Long shot but if it can be tumble dryed try putting it in with a few tennis balls to see if that will restore the filling? may not help but hope its does

This is how I dry my feather-down items. They come up perfect. Set tumble dryer to extra dry mode. Any damp feathers will cause clumping.

stef73

+1 for tennis balls in the dryer

divadee

As above tennis balls and the tumble dryer.

I thought I had killed my north face down jacket first time i washed it, but it came out lovely with the balls in the dryer.

Ps. I call them a body warmer!

Yorkie1

Thanks all. I did use tennis balls during the drying, but they havent done the job

Do you think it's worth rewashing them and having another go?

(yes, I've always called them bodywarmers; but am down south at present so poshness has clearly rubbed off!)

WestonDave

Wouldn't necessarily rewash it but might be worth another rinse - any residual soap etc will make the feathers sticky so another rinse might help and then if possible a longer slower run (i.e on low heat) in the dryer rather than drying it quickly should do the trick. I'd also be tempted maybe to get it out halfway through and give it a bit of a shake in various directions to help spread the down out again.

adouglasmhor

divadee wrote: »

As above tennis balls and the tumble dryer.

I thought I had killed my birth face down jacket first time i washed it, but it and out lovely with the balls in the dryer.

Ps. I call them a body warmer!

Auto correct strikes again, it took me a minute to realise.

jenny-wren

You should NEVER use a standard washing powder or liquid for down filled jackets and fabric conditioner is a definite no-no.

Make sure the machine is clear of all detergent and fabric conditioner residue, including the drawer. Then use Nikwax Down Wash.

Make sure that the spin setting is not too high as this will cause the down to clump (800 spin should be enough). Take it out and give it good shake outside (it will seem quite wet) followed by tumble drying (on low heat) with tumble dryer balls. Take it out of the dryer, give it a good shake and then tumble dry it again. Take it out and hang it up for a day. You should have a perfectly light and fluffy jacket again.

I've had my North Face jacket for over 10 years and it's still almost as warm and fluffy as the day I bought it.

Chopper_Read

/\/\/\

Top advice, mines now 14 and still going strong.