How To Wash Your Cozy Puffer Jacket Without Ruining It

As anyone who has tried to wash a down puffer jacket will know, it can be risky business. Even the poofiest puffs can deflate fast, leaving you with a sad, flat jacket. That said, there is a way to get around that. You'll need a front-loader washing machine, down-specific detergent, a tumble dryer, and three tennis balls. 

Essentially, washing your puffer jacket requires a detergent that won't damage the down inside it. You'll also need a dryer to prevent the down feathers from clumping during the drying phase, and some tennis balls tossed inside, to provide a fluffing motion to the jacket and prevent any flattened sections. All of the steps are vital, so it's important not to skip any of them — and yes, that includes the front-loader washing machine. 

As YouTuber Justin Outdoors noted, the right washing machine makes all the difference in how your puffer jacket will turn out, post-wash. That's because top-loaders have an agitator, which could, well, agitate the down in your jacket, and lead to the feathers clumping. If you don't have a front-loader, looking up your nearest laundromat is a safer bet. Don't forget to take your tennis balls and the right detergent along for the ride.

Whether you're using your own front-loader or heading to a laundromat, it's vital that you use a detergent specifically made for down. As pointed out by Outdoor Research's Charlie Berg, the reason that down is known for its fluffiness is because of the oils in the feathers. Adding a regular detergent to the mix runs the risk of it cutting through those oils, leaving you with dried-out, flattened feathers. So, instead of whatever you'd use for the rest of your clothes, head to Amazon for a bottle of Nikwax Down Wash Direct for $12.95. 

It's important to note that for this step, you'll only be using the down detergent. That means foregoing any additions you may use for regular laundry, like fabric softener or scent beads. Justin Outdoors even recommended cleaning the detergent drawer out, before adding in the down detergent. The YouTuber also suggested doing a rinse cycle to ensure there are no traces of the regular detergents or add-ins when you wash your puffer. 

Once you know the machine is clean, add in the down detergent, and place the jacket inside. Naturally, you'll need to refer to the garment's washing instructions, but it's wise to set the machine to a cold, gentle wash. Justin Outdoors recommended doing an added rinse, just to ensure the jacket is squeaky clean and free from any leftover detergent that could weigh the feathers down. 

Washing your down jacket the right way is vital, but drying is without a doubt the hero step of the process. Enter, the tumble dryer. Again, if you don't have one in your home, be sure to head down to your nearest laundromat. As noted by both Justin Outdoors and Clean My Space, mildew can set in fast, so getting the jacket into the dryer ASAP is incredibly important. 

Once you have your dryer, place the jacket inside, along with your tennis balls, (or dryer balls if you have them — but at $1.99 for 3 tennis balls on Amazon, they're certainly a cheaper option, compared to $8.79 for 4 dryer balls). Worried about neon green residue making its way onto your puffer jacket? Placing the balls inside clean socks and knotting them at the top is a great way to prevent it from happening. Whichever option you choose, the balls will help fluff the down, so it can dry without any uneven clumping. 

With your jacket and balls placed inside the dryer, set the machine to a low heat, and you're good to go. Depending on how big your jacket is, you may need to put it into the dryer several times, but you'll have to play that by ear. One thing's for sure: by the time your jacket is completely dry, it'll be puffed up to perfection.