
An outdoor lover’s guide to looking after your down jacket
Seasoned outdoor lovers know that a good down jacket is your best friend when it comes to keeping warm on a cold day out. Down jackets can last for years with the right care, but without it, they can soon lose their warmth and eventually end up gathering dust in your wardrobe. The good news is that with a little know-how, giving your jacket the TLC it deserves is easier than you might think.
In this guide, we’ll explore all there is to know about looking after your down jacket. We’ll cover how to dry a wet down jacket, how to repair a rip in a down jacket, and answer the question “How do you clean a down jacket?”
WHAT IS A DOWN JACKET?
A down jacket is a versatile piece of outdoor clothing that’s been insulated using the soft and fine underbelly feathers (called down) from a goose or duck. We use down in our range of insulated jackets, waterproof parkas, and gilets because it’s an incredibly lightweight insulating material - it’s why ducks and geese can survive in such frigid temperatures.
Down keeps you warm because of its fluffiness, also known as “loft.” The fluffy clusters in down trap pockets of air, and since air is great at holding heat it helps keep you cosy. The more loft a jacket has, the better it is at insulating and keeping the warmth in - without feeling heavy.
The highest quality down jackets are usually made with goose down, which is known for its loft, but what is a goose down jacket, exactly? Well, it’s a premium jacket filled with soft goose down that provides toasty warmth without feeling bulky.
ESSENTIAL DOWN JACKET CARE
If you want your down jacket to last the test of time you have to look after it. From cleaning to proper storage, a little care goes a long way with a down jacket - especially when it comes to keeping it warm, comfortable, and looking great.
Let’s explore some tips to help you keep your jacket in top condition.
CARING FOR YOUR DOWN JACKET
Caring for your down jacket is surprisingly simple, just remember these helpful tips:
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Hang it properly - keep your jacket stored on a sturdy hanger when you aren’t using it to preserve its shape, prevent creases, and ensure the down stays evenly distributed
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Store it somewhere smart - Keep your down jacket in a cool, dry place, and make sure it’s kept out of direct sunlight to ensure the outer fabric doesn’t get damaged
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Don’t squash it - Try and avoid keeping your jacket packed tightly for too long - this can flatten the down, reducing its fluffiness and warmth
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Fluff it up - Give it a good shake regularly to redistribute the down, keeping it fluffy for better insulation
Air it out - Let it air out after every use, especially if you’ve been active or sweating, to stop any moisture or smells building up.
HOW DO YOU CLEAN A DOWN JACKET?
Although water can be a down jacket’s Achilles heel, there’s no need to be afraid of cleaning it - just follow these steps:
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Buy a specialised down wash care kit
Using the right products is perhaps the most important part of cleaning your down jacket. TOG24’s down-filled gear comes with a water-resistant DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating to help keep you dry, but regular detergents can break it down which will affect your jacket’s performance.
For the best care, we recommend Grangers Down Wash Concentrate. It’s specially formulated to clean down jackets while protecting the down, restoring loft and reinvigorating any existing water-repellence.
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Prepare your jacket
Close all zippers, fasten all buttons and make sure your pockets are empty. This helps prevent any damage, which can sometimes occur if the zipper snags or tears the fabric during a wash.
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Machine wash it on its own
Pop your down jacket into an empty washing machine, and make sure it’s the only item inside. Add half a capful (25ml) of down wash concentrate into the detergent drawer, swapping out your usual detergent. Make sure to set the machine to a full wash cycle at 30°C (or follow the care label for specific instructions.)
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Run an extra rinse cycle to remove all soap
Once the wash is done, chuck on an extra rinse cycle to make sure all the down cleaner is properly washed out. You don’t want any leftover cleaner affecting the down or the water-repellent coating, and this simple extra step keeps your jacket feeling fresh and in top shape.
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How to dry a down jacket
After washing, it’s crucial to dry your jacket correctly. Tumble dry it on a low heat with a couple of clean tennis balls chucked in alongside. This move sounds strange, but it's actually how to fluff up a down jacket and restore the loft, meaning your jacket remains warm and toasty. Check the jacket every thirty minutes, and give it a shake if you feel like the down is clumping together. Be patient, as this step could take several hours and removing your jacket before it’s completely dry could cause mould to grow.
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How to dry a down jacket without a tumble dryer
If you don’t own a tumble dryer, air dry it by laying it flat (so the down spreads out evenly) in a breezy, well-ventilated area. Break up the clumps of down by hand and give it a good shake every half an hour to restore loft. You can also use a hairdryer on a low, cool setting to help speed up the process, but make sure to hold it a safe distance from the fabric. You can also take the simpler route and take your jacket to a dry cleaner.
HOW TO FIX A DOWN JACKET TEAR
If you’re wondering how to repair a rip in a down jacket, don’t worry - it’s a simple enough fix with the right approach.
For small tears:
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Clean the area around the tear with a damp cloth to remove any dirt or oils that might affect the patch’s ability to stick
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Push any down that’s exposed back into the jacket
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Apply a self-adhesive patch or repair tape designed for down jackets (available in down jacket repair kits)
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Place the patch over the tear, press firmly to secure it, and let it set
For larger rips:
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Use a down jacket repair kit that includes durable patches or repair tape designed to handle larger tears
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Follow the same cleaning and patching steps as you would for a small tear, making sure the patch overlaps the edges of the rip by at least an inch
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If the tear is over two inches long, take your jacket to a professional for a secure, lasting fix
A lot of people make the mistake of stitching their down jacket, but this can actually tear the fabric further, reducing its insulation efficiency. Even a small needle and thread can cause heat loss, so be wary.
WHAT IS FILL POWER?
Did your mind immediately go to a Marvel hero? It’s understandable, and in some cases, the fill power of a down jacket can depend on whether its wearer (you) deem it to be a hero or a zero. When you’re shopping for a down jacket you’ll see different fill powers listed. These are simply a measurement of how warm your jacket will be - the higher the number, the better quality the insulation.
Basically, with the same amount of down, a higher fill power creates more space for air to trap heat, making your jacket better at keeping the cold out. This also means that typically less down is needed, and as a result, you get a lighter jacket that’s easier to pack and store.
WHAT IS RDS CERTIFIED DOWN?
RDS (Responsible Down Standard) certified down guarantees that the feathers used in any down products come from animals that haven’t been subjected to unnecessary harm. Down is a by-product of the meat industry and therefore naturally sustainable (for now anyway), and RDS-certified down is tracked from farm to finished product. This ensures that ducks and geese are treated ethically and also helps make sure companies are upholding sustainable practices across the supply chain.
TOG24 is an environmentally-conscious company, with proud roots in the beautiful Spen Valley, and sustainability is a cornerstone of our ethos. We’re proud to have earned our RDS certification, which means the down we use meets strict standards for ethical sourcing and sustainable practices.
Now that you’ve got the know-how to care for your down jacket, it’s time to check out TOG24’s premium collection of RDS-certified down jackets. Our range blends Yorkshire craftsmanship with sustainable practices and exceptional warmth.