How to Wash Your Down Jacket

Important to note: ALWAYS follow the specific product wash care instructions the tag on the inside of the jacket.

With regular care, correct storage and thorough cleaning, you can extend the life of your down jacket considerably to ensure it will perform at its best on future adventures.

Not sure down jacket you need, or what the technical features mean? Read our hand Guide to Down Jackets here.

How to wash your down jacket

Before you wash

  • Close all zips and flaps
  • Brush off loose dirt with a soft brush
  • Shake the Nikwax Down wash before use
  • Treat any stubborn stains first with neat Nikwax Down Wash Direct
  • Use a front-loading washing machine only (no toploaders)

Method 1: Machine Wash

  • Nikwax Down Wash Direct
  • Use a front-loading washing machine only
  • 2 x Clean tennis balls
  • Tumble dryer
  • Clean, soft bristle toothbrush

Method

  1. Remove all detergent build-up from the detergent dispenser
  2. Close all zippers and flaps
  3. Add 100 ml Down Wash Direct
  4. Place maximum 2 items in washing machine.
  5. Wash according to care label on gentle wash, preferably on low setting and slow spin.
  6. After the washing cycle has finished run multiple spin cycles, each time incrementally increasing the spin speed, to remove excess water.
  7. Place two tennis balls in a sock (help re-loft / fluff the down) in your tumble dryer, and dry the jacket on low heat
  8. Once dry, tease apart any clumps of down by patting the clumps between with your hands.

Method 2: Hand Wash

  • Nikwax Down Wash Direct
  • Large basin/bath tub

Method:

  1. Close all zippers and flaps
  2. Add 100 ml Down Wash Direct to 12-15 L of hand-warm water.
  3. Immerse item and agitate to mix, ensuring complete wetting.
  4. Leave to soak for 5-10 minutes, then agitate thoroughly.
  5. Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear.
  6. To remove excess water transfer item(s) to a washing machine and run multiple spin cycles, each time incrementally increasing the spin speed.

Don't have tumble dryer?

  1. Ensure you remove as much water as possible by following the spinning instructions in the wash step.
  2. Do not wring or squeeze the jacket
  3. Place the jacket on a drying rack in a sunny and windy spot and rotate regularly to ensure the down dries quickly
  4. There will be numerous down clumps. Tease apart any clumps of down with your fingers or by patting the clumps between with your hands.

How to store your down jacket

Do not store your down jacket compressed in it’s storage bag as this will damage the down fill over time and impact on your down jacket's ability to insulate effectively.

Have any valuable tips or hacks you’d like to share with us? Tag us on social @firstascentsa or write a review on our site to tell us what’s worked for you. Need help on product care for other products? Refer to our informative product care guide here.

Browse our full range of down jackets here.