I ruined my puffer jacket in the wash – how can I re-puff it?
“Should we be washing our winter coats?” When this was asked at our morning meeting, it was met with a resounding, but reluctant, yes. No one looks forward to washing this item, mainly because it’s so bulky and often requires specialist care. Plus, there’s always the risk that washing can ruin it, or at least change the feel.
This is exactly what happened to our news and features director, Sarah Maber. “I washed my puffer jacket the other day, and even though I carefully followed the care label, the filling was left feeling clumpy and heavy by the time it was dry.”
This is a common problem when washing puffer jackets, but you can’t shirk this chore. Our winter coats are exposed to the outdoors with each wear, with stains popping up whenever we sit or lean. Not to mention the sweat we leave behind inside! In fact, you should be washing your coats and jackets one-two times per season.
But that doesn’t mean you need to settle for a clumpy puffer jacket – here’s how to wash and restore these jackets to get them feeling like new.
Why does a puffer jacket feel different after washing?
Even if you follow the washing instructions, the filling in your puffer jacket can struggle to separate fully as it dries (particularly if you air dry). The result is a clumpy, heavy filling, which is no longer lightweight or evenly spread throughout the panels. It’s then difficult to restore it to as before, especially by hand from the outside. You can get a very similar problem when washing feather or synthetic pillows and duvets.
How to wash a puffer jacket
Start by checking the care label; this is essential if you want to avoid damage. Most puffer jackets are machine-washable and recommend washing at 30 degrees on a gentle cycle. Just make sure the spin speed is reduced to avoid damage. Make a note of the drying instructions while you’re here. You’ll need to turn it inside out, empty the pockets, close any zips and remove the hood (if possible) before you start; again, check the care label for guidance. Always wash and dry your puffer jacket separately from other items.
For the hood, if it has any linings or faux fur attachments, you’re better off removing these and washing by hand instead. Plain, removable hoods can be washed alongside the jacket using a mesh laundry bag.
You should use a specialist detergent suited to the material, otherwise it could damage the jacket. So, for down, use a proprietary down detergent, such as Nikwax Down Wash Direct and Down Proof. For synthetics, you could alternatively use a small amount of non-bio detergent (about a third of what you’d usually use will be sufficient). Avoid fabric conditioner; it will damage the jacket. It’s also a good idea to add an extra rinse cycle to remove residual suds. Once the cycle has finished, do not wring or twist the jacket to remove any excess moisture. If it’s sopping, you can always run an additional low spin cycle.
If your puffer jacket is suitable for tumble drying (most are, on a gentle cycle with low or no heat), move it into the machine. It’s worth adding that tumble drying is the best drying method to fluff up the filling, so do use this appliance if you can. It’s also worth tossing in some wool dryer balls if you have them. These will speed up the drying process and help to fluff up the filling at the same time. Keep checking on it during the cycle (every 20-30 minutes) and fluffing it up by hand. One cycle should be enough for synthetic jackets, but down will likely need more. Once finished, your puffer jacket will likely still be a bit damp inside. So hang it to air dry completely in a well-ventilated room, re-fluffing it every 20 minutes or so.
If you need to air dry from wet, this requires a lot more effort. Start by shaking it and fluffing it up as best you can to separate the damp filling. You’re better off drying it flat, so the filling doesn’t gather at the bottom of the panels and the weight doesn’t stretch the material. Laying it across the top of a winged airer would be ideal. You will need to keep fluffing and rotating the jacket every few hours as it dries to separate and spread the filling evenly. Ideally, the room should be warm and ventilated to speed things up. It’s likely to take a few days to dry the jacket completely, so be persistent and keep fluffing for the best results.
Avoid taking your puffer jacket to the dry cleaners. It will be difficult to fully remove the chemicals from the filling and a chemical treatment could easily damage the jacket. As an alternative, you could take it a specialist, such as Grangers Down Care Service.
Nikwax Down Wash Direct and Down Proof
Persil Non Bio Liquid Detergent
Nooril Tumble Dryer Balls Pack of 4
YOGINGO Mesh Laundry Bags
How to re-puff a puffer jacket
If you want to restore your puffer jacket back to its former fluffiness, you need to re-separate the filling. If it’s heavily clumped together and fallen to the bottom of each panel, you’re better off washing it from scratch and following the instructions above.
If it’s just a bit clumpy after you’ve recently washed it, rather than run it through a whole wash cycle, you could just pop it in the tumble dryer on a no heat setting with some dryer balls (check your manual to see if your machine offers this setting). This will fluff it back up again with the tumbling action alone. Check the progress after 20 minutes.
If the filling is still clumpy, it may have retained some of the detergent, so may need rinsing again to fix. If you don’t own a tumble dryer, it might be worth visiting a launderette and using one there to restore the filling.
Camo Down Puffer Jacket
Green Shower Resistant Padded Jacket
Women’s Down Paralta Puffer Jacket
Upcycled Down High-Collar Jacket
Thermowarmth Quilted Jacket
Khaki Una Puffa Coat
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