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How To Dry A Down Jacket Without A Dryer?

Down jackets are a wonderful invention. Feathers are great for keeping warm in and insulating the body, so a down jacket is the perfect thing to keep you warm in the winter.

However, cleaning it and drying it can be a bit of a faff! Read on for our tips on how to dry a down jacket without a dryer.

Can You Wash A Down Jacket Without A Tumble Dryer?

The short answer to this is yes, you can. In fact, you can wash anything without a tumble dryer; it’s the getting things dry that can be a problem!

Down filled items can take up to 10 days to dry without a tumble dryer, so you should bear this in  mind before you start your washing cycle.

Another thing to bear in mind is the waterproofing – hot water especially can remove or damage the waterproofing properties of your down jacket, so make sure you use a cool cycle.

Washing powder can leave residues in clothing, and this can cause havoc for a down jacket – the feathers inside can clump together after washing, making it less likely to keep you warm.

Down jackets must always be thoroughly rinsed after washing, and you should make sure you use a cycle that is suitable for delicates or wools, and it is advised that your jacket is the only thing in the machine.

How Do You Dry A Wet Down Jacket

By far the best option for drying a down jacket is in the tumble dryer.

  • You should place a few clean tennis balls inside the dryer, to help everything move around well.
  • Keep the setting on no more than 30 degrees C for best results.
  • Move it carefully from the washer to the dryer, to avoid disturbing the innards too much.
  • When the cycle has finished, remove your jacket from the machine and shake it thoroughly to make sure the down isn’t clumping.
  • Now, add it back into the machine and start the process all over again!
  • This process will take between 4 and 6 hours, but after this you will have a perfect, dry, clean jacket.

There are other methods to dry your down jacket if you don’t have a tumble dryer (scroll down), so don’t worry that this is the only option!

If you do own a tumble dryer, have a look at this video – it not only shows you how to dry your down jacket, but also the best way to wash it too!

 

Can You Air Dry A Down Jacket

You can, indeed, air dry a down jacket – in fact, after a tumble dryer, this is the best way to do it.

Just be prepared for the fact that it will take a LONG time – unless you are in the middle of a heatwave or you live in a desert!

The jacket will need to be dried in a very dry, preferably warm area (but it should not be placed on a radiator).

You need to make sure that you turn the item regularly, to avoid the filling from clumping up together and making it uncomfortable or less efficient.

If you do not turn your jacket often, it can develop mould in places where the moisture is gathering, which can completely ruin the jacket.

You can also hang your jacket on a coat hanger to dry it; just remember to take it down and fluff it about every half hour or so, to prevent clumping.

Hanging it on a washing line is another good way to dry a down jacket; wait for a dry, warm day with a bit of a breeze, for the best results.

You can also dry it outside by placing it over a clothes airer, making sure that you regularly turn it and shake it about.

How To Fluff Down Jacket Without Dryer

Even if you don’t have a dryer, or you have one but don’t want to use it to dry your down jacket, there are ways you can dry it AND keep it fluffy.

  1. After washing, squeeze out as much water from your jacket as you possibly can. Don’t wring it though, as this can damage the lining.
  2. Place the jacket on a coat hanger,and hang it in a dry place – warm or cool is fine, but you should avoid anywhere with high humidity.
  3. Every half hour, remove the jacket from the hanger and shake it gently, and massage the innards to keep them from clumping.
  4. You will need to repeat this process every 30 minutes until the jacket is dry, for the best results.
  5. You are trying to move the filling around inside the jacket, to keep it lying evenly, so try to avoid it sitting in the same position for too long.

How Do You Restore A Down Jacket After Washing It

Your down jacket needs to be washed, there is no doubt about that. But, if it is washed incorrectly, or worse, dried incorrectly, it can be clumpy and not as good at keeping you warm.

Make sure you wash it on a gentle cycle – one that is suitable for wools and delicates is ideal.

You can find specific washing powders that are suitable for down – these are ideal for washing your down jacket, as they are more gentle than some others.

When washing a down jacket, add an extra rinse cycle to make sure that all the detergent is thoroughly washed out of the fibres.

When drying it with a tumble dryer, use a low heat setting to ensure that the inside is not damaged and doesn’t clump.

If you don’t have a tumble dryer, take the drying slowly and turn the jacket every 30 minutes.

Final Words

A down jacket is the best thing to keep you warm on a chilly day – but like all our clothes, it will need washing sometimes. Now that you know how to dry one without a dryer, hopefully this won’t be such a daunting task!

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