How to Wash a Down Jacket the Right Way [2025]

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This is a complete guide on How to Wash a Down Jacket.

If you wear a down jacket a lot (especially during the cold, winter months when you need extra layering) then it’s highly likely that at some point or another, you’re going to need to give your down jacket a wash to get rid of any built-up dirt, grime, and body oils. All the Best Ultralight Down Jackets and Down Vests can be washed using the methods mentioned below.

Why Trust Us

The expert author has over 30 years of experience in Thru-Hiking, Backpacking, and Hiking. During that time the author washed many down jackets and researched several methods. He has also managed a large retail outdoor store and assisted many customers with inquiries about washing down jackets. The research, testing, and experience of the author have combined to come up with the Guide to Washing Down Jackets in 2025.

Why Should You Wash Your Down Jacket?

Before we get into the step-by-step instructions, I thought it would be a good idea to first run you through exactly why you should be cleaning your down jacket, as a lot of people tend to overlook it.

There are two important parts to washing a down jacket. The outer fabric or face fabric and the down that is inside the jacket.

Why Wash the Outer Fabric of a Down Jacket

Because down is delicate, the outside of most Down Jackets are treated with a durable water-resistant finish (which is sometimes referred to as a DWR finish). This DWR coating is a chemical coating that works similarly to the wax you put on your car. It allows the water to bead and run off the jacket without soaking through.

For this reason, the coating of most down jackets is hydrophobic, which means that it can repel water to keep the down feathers fluffy and full from the dangers of water.

Without the outside of the down jacket being treated with the DWR finish, down coats can become exposed to water and other external elements, so it is important to make sure that your down jacket has been given this treatment. 

Nevertheless, DWR treatments are not necessary for helping to maintain the quality of your down jacket. With regular use, dirt, body oil, and exposure to rain will ultimately reduce the effectiveness of your down jacket, so it’s important to make sure that you’re regularly cleaning it.

Why Wash the Down that is inside the Down Jacket

The down which is inside the down jacket does not like getting wet nor does it like getting coated with body oils or dirt. It needs to stay clean and dry. Over time the down will lose a lot of its loft and when that happens it usually is not as warm as it was when it was brand new. many people may think the down jacket is faulty or no good. This is the perfect time to wash it.

By making sure that you are cleaning your down jacket, you will help to rejuvenate the insulation properties of it, while also making sure that you’re as comfortable as possible while wearing it. 

How To Wash Your Down Jacket: Step-By-Step Instructions

Below, you will find step-by-step instructions on how to clean your down jacket – let’s take a look at them:

Step 1: First things first, you’re going to need to find a front-load washing machine, as the agitator on a top-loader washing machine can damage the delicate fabric and feathers of your down jacket. Once you have access to a front-load washing machine, you will then need to make sure that you have Down Wash. Only use a down-specific wash such as Nikwax Down Wash which is made especially for washing and cleaning down garments. This is what I recommend and I have been using it for many years. Do not use normal laundry detergent as it will strip the natural oils found in the down feathers.

Step 2: Add 100 ml of Nikwax Down Wash to warm water in a large bucket or tub and begin to agitate the downwash and the jacket. Pay special attention to the areas that are known to be dirtier than others such as the areas around the collar, cuffs, and shoulders.

Step 3: After you have hand-washed your down jacket, you should then proceed to place it on a gentle wash cycle with your front load washing machine.

Once completed, you should then make sure that your jacket gets a good rinse so that all of the excess water has been removed.

Step 4: Optional – Add a DWR Coating to the outside of the damp down jacket – Spray Nikwax TX Direct to the outer shell fabric of the jacket.

Step 5: After you have finished cleaning your down coat and have made sure that your coat has been rinsed off any excess water, you should then make sure to place your down jacket on a low heat cycle in a large dryer.

You must do this so that your down jacket can fully dry.

If you do not have a large dryer it can be air-dried, but honestly, it is nowhere near as good as using a dryer. Go to a laundromat if needed.

Step 6: After the low heat cycle has finished, place your down coat on a rack to dry (preferably overnight) and then begin wearing it as usual once more!

In addition to this, you should also be sure to avoid using any bleach products or fabric softener, because if you do, you will be running the risk of causing your down jacket to become damaged beyond repair.

How often should you wash a down jacket?

As a general rule of thumb, you should make sure that you are washing your down jacket around once every year. If you are thru-hiking and wearing it daily it may need to be washed every month or two. However, if you do not use your down jacket that often, then this cleaning time frame can be longer.

Ultimately, you will be the best judge when it comes to deciding whether or not it’s time to give your down jacket a clean. I only wash my down jacket at the start of summer when it is unlikely to get much more use or, if it is dirty and starts to lose the ability to loft like a brand-new down jacket.

What you need to wash a Down Jacket?

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