Cleaning down jackets?

[simonsays]

Retrieved my down jacket from the loft this morning.

Condition=manky

Anyone have any real-world experience of how to clean/dry my bedraggled jacket? I can't seem to find a care label anywhere but I'm guessing you can't just stick it in the washing machine on a 40 degree cycle.

It's a mountain equipment jacket with a simple stitch through construction. No internal baffles as far as I can tell

Cheers




Not strictly caving equipment so mods feel free to move to a more appropriate forum

 

[Benfool]

follow these instructions
http://www.alpkit.com/support/stickies/cleaning-down-sleeping-bags

B

 

[global_s]

I've always used a big laundrette type machine, rather then risking doing in a standard home one.

 

[Cave_Troll]

tumble drying with some tennis balls is also key. For a long time.
last time i did mine after 1.5 hours on medium / low i thought "i've buggered my jacket" another 30 mins and it was all fluffed nicely

 

[antmcc]

Most gear manufacturers recommend the same sort of treatment (or Franklins in Sheffield!)

http://rab.uk.com/love-your-rab/down-care.html

tennis balls in the tumble dryer as CT suggests help break up the clumps of down, though I've also used the kids trainers to do the same!

 

[gav2pac]

tumble drying with some tennis balls is also key. For a long time.
last time i did mine after 1.5 hours on medium / low i thought "i've buggered my jacket" another 30 mins and it was all fluffed nicely

i thought the exact same thing first time i did mine, shit myself

 

[zaphod79]

There is a company (not sure of name) in the lakes that will clean it, including taking the down out cleaning that separately refluff it, and top up if needed.

But i just wash in soap flake (liquid) and then tumble dry with 4 tennis balls

 

[Rachel]

Nikwax make a down cleaner - think both Ingleton caving shops stock it. I've always used that and it seems to work fine.

 

[simonsays]

Thanks for all of the advice folks. In the end I washed it in the bath with pure soap flakes. Squeezed out as much water as I could and let it bounce around in the tumble drier for nearly four hours on the coolest setting. It's come out like New. A big improvement on the fetid mess that it was before.