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How to Wash a Puffer Jacket Without Ruining It (Machine, Hand and Drying)

“A puffer comes out of the wash looking like a sad, soggy sleeping bag, and that's when people panic. Don't. The wash is the easy part. Drying is where you get the loft back, so give it the time it wants.”Her take

Before you wash: read the label and work out the filling

Start with the care label, because it decides everything else. A jacket marked dry clean only may have a finish, trim or lining that won't survive water, so follow that instruction. If the label shows a wash tub, check the temperature inside it and whether the tumble-dry symbol is allowed.

Next, find out whether the filling is down, feather or a man-made fill such as polyester. The label will say. Polyester fill dries much faster and is more forgiving. Down and feather can be washed well too, but they clump when wet and need a long, patient dry. Plan to wash a down jacket when you can do without it for a day or two.

How to wash a puffer jacket in the washing machine

Empty the pockets, close every zip and popper, and take off any detachable fur trim. Spot clean grubby cuffs and the collar first with a drop of the same detergent on a damp cloth, rubbing gently. Then wash the jacket on its own in a front-loading machine, so it has room to move. If yours is a top-loader with a central agitator, hand wash instead, because the agitator can tear the jacket.

• Cycle: delicates, wool or a similar gentle programme with a low spin.
• Temperature: cool, and never above what the label allows. 30°C is a common maximum.
• Detergent: a down-specific wash is the first choice for down. Otherwise, a small dose of mild non-biological liquid. Avoid powder, which can leave residue in the fill.
• Skip: fabric softener and bleach. Softener can coat the filling and make it clump.
• Finish: run one extra rinse. Soap left in the fill makes it clump and feel stiff.

How to hand wash a puffer jacket

Hand washing suits a small machine that can't take the bulk, or a jacket you're nervous about. Fill a clean bath or a large basin with cool water and stir in a small amount of detergent. Press the jacket under the water and work it gently with your hands for a few minutes, paying attention to the cuffs, collar and hem.

Let the water out, then press out the suds without twisting. Refill and rinse until the water stays clear and free of bubbles, which usually takes more than one go. Lift the jacket with both arms, because a soaked down jacket is heavy and the weight can pull at the seams. Press out more water against the side of the bath, then roll it in a large towel.

How to dry it with a tumble dryer

If the label allows tumble drying, this is the best way to restore the puff. Use a low heat, add two or three clean tennis balls or dryer balls, and let them knock the filling apart as it dries. Pull the jacket out every 20 to 30 minutes, shake it and break up any clumps with your fingers.

It will take longer than you expect, and a thick down jacket can need several cycles. Keep going until it feels light and even with no damp lumps left inside the baffles. A jacket that seems dry on the outside can still be wet in the middle, and damp down develops a musty smell.

How to dry a puffer jacket without a tumble dryer

It's slower but very doable, especially with a polyester fill. Lay the jacket flat on a drying rack in a warm, well-ventilated room, ideally with a dehumidifier or a fan nearby, and open a window if the weather isn't damp. Turn it over every few hours.

Each time you turn it, shake it and pull apart the clumps with your fingers, working along each channel. Keep it off a hot radiator, since direct heat can damage the shell and leave wet patches inside. For a down jacket, allow a couple of days. When it feels completely dry, a good shake and a quick pat will bring back most of the loft.

How often to wash it, and what to do between washes

Wash a puffer when it's visibly grubby, smells stale or is starting to lose its puff, which for many jackets means no more than once or twice a winter. Too much washing wears down the shell and any water-repellent finish. Between washes, wipe the collar and cuffs with a damp cloth and hang the jacket up to air after a wet day.

Store it on a wide hanger at the end of the season, clean and fully dry, rather than squashed in a vacuum bag. If water stops beading on the surface after a wash, a wash-in or spray-on reproofer made for outdoor clothing can help. Check that it's suitable for the fabric, and follow the bottle's directions.

Questions people ask

The takeaway

Read the label, wash it alone on cool and gentle, rinse twice, then dry it longer than seems reasonable and keep breaking up the clumps.

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