How to wash and dry your down jacket
Proper garment care extends product lifespan. A down jacket is an outdoor staple that can be delicate to wash and dry. To help you, here is our care guide to preserve your down jacket's technical performance.
To properly care for your down jacket, it is important to identify the type of insulation inside. Two types of down are available on the market: natural down made from goose or duck feathers, and synthetic alternatives. At Cimalp, out of respect for animal welfare, we have opted for a plant-based and synthetic filling: Cimaloft® insulation, made from 37% corn fibres and 63% recycled polyester, found in the Himalayan. This warm, ultra-light synthetic insulation offers thermal efficiency equivalent to animal down. Measured by its fill power rating, Cimalp's insulation boasts 850 CUIN—equivalent to goose down. Once the down type is identified, follow these steps to wash and dry your down jacket properly.
Step 1: Preparation
For synthetic down, zip up all fasteners, then place your down jacket inside a laundry mesh bag (optional) and into the washing machine. Select a low-temperature cycle: either a synthetic programme or a 30°C wash with your standard detergent. You can also use high-performance technical wash and reproofing products.
Step 2: Washing
To maintain the loft of synthetic down, we recommend washing your down jacket with other synthetic garments to prevent the insulation from clumping in one area. Preserving the fill power is essential, whether dealing with animal down or synthetic fill. You can also add laundry balls or tennis balls to the drum during the wash cycle to bounce against the jacket and help fluff up the filling.
For natural down jackets, which are more delicate to maintain and wash, we recommend spot cleaning by hand with a damp sponge to avoid compromising the technical performance of the filling. The post-wash drying phase is also crucial to restore the jacket's loft.
Step 3: Drying
Once out of the washing machine, the down jacket can be dried either on a hanger or laid flat. Air drying is ideal, though it takes longer and requires turning the garment over several times to dry both inside and out. Even if the jacket feels dry to the touch, the down core can still be damp. To prevent this, gently pat and shake your jacket each time you turn it over. This also redistributes the down evenly throughout every baffle.
Another drying option is to tumble dry the down jacket. Make sure not to use a cycle that is too hot or intense, as a down jacket remains a delicate garment. You can also add tennis balls to the dryer drum. Just like in the wash cycle, their bouncing action will help restore and preserve the loft of synthetic or natural down.
Watch our video tips.
