When washing a jacket, it’s important to dot your i's and cross your t's by checking the care label for the recommended temperature, type of detergent, and other specifications. Before washing, zip up all zippers, button all buttons, and remove detachable parts like hoods or fur trims. The jacket should be washed inside out and ideally in a protective laundry bag.
How to Wash a Winter Jacket
Washing a winter jacket can be more complicated due to the thicker material and often special fillings, such as down or synthetic fibres. Therefore, for down jackets, use a special detergent designed for down. If you are hand washing the jacket, make sure to wring it out thoroughly to avoid leaving any detergent residues in the filling, as they could damage the insulation.
After washing, it is important to dry the jacket thoroughly, ideally in the air. For down jackets, it is recommended to dry them with tennis balls in the dryer on a low heat setting to help the down fluff up and distribute evenly.
Before and during the drying process, shake the jacket regularly to ensure that the down or synthetic filling is properly distributed.
What Program to Use for Washing Jackets
In general, jackets should be washed on a gentle cycle at a low temperature (around 30 °C) to avoid damaging the material and losing colour.
The choice of the right washing program for your jacket also depends on the material and type of jacket. When washing a jacket, especially if it’s a more expensive or technical one, it’s wise to consider using a special program for outdoor clothing or washing in cold water.
When washing functional jackets, do not use regular fabric softener, as it can damage the water-repellent coatings or other special treatments of the materials.