Ever wonder how to clean a puffer jacket? After snow, sleet, and dirt, it can sometimes seem useless. Don’t worry — it isn’t!
When I first moved to the East Coast from the West Coast, I quickly learned the importance of two garments. The first is thermal underwear, or long johns, as we call them. New England winters are truly frigid. The second item? The ubiquitous puffer coat.
Today, I will show you how to wash a puffer jacket.
This piece of outerwear doesn’t just help you stay warm; it also protects you from the elements. It’s the first line of defense, while your thermal underwear is the interior security unit. These days, puffers have become quite stylish. Advanced insulation technology has allowed brands to offer chic pieces that aren’t purely utilitarian-looking.
That being the case, though, when they get dirty, they look dirty. Snow and dirt stains aren’t the same as leather patination or scuffs on an old vintage watch. If you want your puffer to look good, stay intact, and continue to serve you, you’ve got to keep it clean.
How To Wash a Puffer Jacket in the Washing Machine: A Guide
So, can you put a puffer jacket in the washing machine? It’s a very common question. The answer is yes. In fact, machine washing is one of the best ways to clean it. Hand washing isn’t as efficient since a puffer is so big, multi-creviced, and multi-layered. The important things to remember when machine-washing your jacket are the prep and the settings.
Of course, you first want to read the tag on the jacket. If it has no instructions or warnings, just do a quick Google search. Most puffers are good to go in a washing machine, but you can never be too careful.
How To Prep a Puffer Jacket for Washing
As with any item of clothing, you first want to ensure there’s nothing in the pockets. Of course, you don’t want your wallet and credit cards in there. However, the washing machine can tear up even a single facial tissue into small pieces and then stick to your jacket.
Second, fully zip your jacket and its pockets and fasten all Velcro closures. Otherwise, they can get caught in the machine. This can affect the movement within the washer and deter the comprehensiveness of the cleaning process. It can also affect the jacket’s shape and puffiness.
Does your jacket have any trim made from a material different from the body, perhaps fur or otherwise? You’ll want to clean those pieces separately. Leave real fur or delicate cashmere to the pros.
Once you’ve done all that, you’re ready to put the jacket in the machine!
Steps for Washing a Puffer Jacket
When it comes to the best way to wash a puffer jacket, there are a few best practices you can’t skip. First, check to see what kind of filling is in your jacket. This is of the utmost importance.
Polyester Filling
Use a very gentle detergent if you have a polyester or other synthetic-filled jacket.
Look for any detergent made for sensitive skin. This means the manufacturers avoid using dyes, phosphates, perfumes, chemical brighteners, or any other harsh chemicals. I know the idea of artificial brighteners is attractive. If you’re cleaning your jacket properly, it’ll come out as bright as it naturally is.
Don’t have this special detergent on hand and are in a pinch? In case of emergencies only, you can use the smallest amount of moisturizer-free liquid hand soap—I’m talking a teaspoon here. Water it down in a mixing cup. Don’t do this regularly, though, as hand soap gets too sudsy in the machine.
Down Filling
You want to avoid detergent altogether for down-filled jackets. Use a detergent-free cleaner made especially for down. I personally love Nikwax Down Wash. In addition to cleaning the down inside the jacket, it enhances the exterior’s water resistance.
Again, in a pinch, you can use watered-down soap or gentle detergent. Just remember that every time you do this, you risk compromising the jacket, even a little. Keep in mind that down is literally feathers. Detergent can strip away their loft and natural oils, causing your jacket to be less puffy and less effective in keeping you warm.
Next, let’s put that jacket in the machine.
Add a Clean Towel or Blanket to the Machine
Adding a towel or blanket balances the space in the machine. Otherwise, your jacket might just be bouncing around in there. Adding that balance, the jacket gently cycles around, allowing the water and cleaner to pass through it constantly.
Use the Gentle Setting and Add an Extra Rinse
Go for the gentle or delicate cycle. If you have a wool cycle, that’s perfect. Make sure to use cold water, too, as it’s less damaging to fibers. I know that a puffer is designed to handle tough conditions. Regardless, you have to keep the filling in mind. Basically, don’t do anything to your puffer that you wouldn’t do with silk or wool — at least not in your laundry room.
Finally, you can get rid of residue by adding an extra rinse. You don’t want any cleaner left on your jacket. The excess can cause slight streaks, especially on dark fabrics. Honestly, this likely won’t happen if you’ve done everything right thus far. But there’s nothing wrong with a little extra scrupulousness if you have the time.
How To Dry a Puffer Jacket
Drying your puffer jacket properly is equally as important as washing it. A puffer jacket is so thick and layered that if you let it sit damp or wet enough, it can develop a mildew smell. Even worse, it can become moldy.
Lay your jacket flat on your drying rack in a cool, dry place. In general, it’s best to lay heavy, wet things flat instead of hanging them. This prevents the down from settling in big clumps and the water from unevenly draining from only the bottom. This can affect the shape of your jacket.
Avoid direct sunlight. The sun can fade your jacket’s color, which looks great on vintage T-shirts but not on your modern puffer jacket. Check on the coat every so often. If there are clumps, just smooth them out.
After all this, the jacket may not be as structured as it once looked. So, let’s talk about how to make your puffer jacket puffy again.
How To Make a Puffer Jacket Puffy Again
You don’t want to use your machine dryer to dry your puffer. However, you can use it to return its original billowy structure. Before doing this, just ensure the jacket is 100% dry. Otherwise, the heat will wear the water-repellent finish faster.
Here’s the secret to making your coat puffy again. Ready? Tennis balls. I know that sounds weird, and you’ll have to deal with some noises during the process. Nevertheless, adding tennis balls to the dryer redistributes the insulation. It also prevents any potential clumping. I’ve heard people cutting their tennis balls in half, but I wouldn’t bother. If you have three balls, then you’re good to go. That’s enough to ensure proper insulation distribution.
Make sure to use a low-heat setting. Again, high heat is bad for the jacket’s surface treatment. The whole point of a puffer is to protect you from weather. If you strip away its water-repellent properties, you only have a stylish but useless piece of outerwear.
If you want and have the time, you can occasionally take the jacket out to shake it out. To get maximum puffiness, you’ll need to be pretty proactive. This can take multiple cycles, too.
How To Clean a Puffer Jacket: Different Brands and Jacket Types
Not all puffer jackets are alike. Certain brands use special materials or have specific features to consider. Let’s go over that next. We’ll also hit on a few more best practices on down versus polyester and how to clean a white puffer jacket.
How To Clean a White Puffer Jacket
White jackets are prone to stains. While this applies to all outerwear, knowing how to remove oil stains from puffer jackets is especially important. You absolutely want to avoid bleach and fabric softeners.
So before throwing your white puffer into the wash, do some spot treatments.
Take diluted laundry detergent, say, half water and half detergent. Apply it gently to the stain, ensuring it doesn’t soak through. Remember, you don’t want the detergent to get into the filling, especially if it’s down. Let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then, rinse it out with lukewarm water. Most of the stain should disappear, and the washer will finish the job.
If you want to go the all-natural route, try talcum powder or kitchen cornstarch. You can also use baby powder or plain white chalk, though those aren’t always in everyone’s house. These naturally absorb oil and will lift stains.
How To Wash a Down Puffer Jacket: More Best Practices
Again, use down-specific cleaner for any down-filled garment. Beyond that, you definitely want to avoid fabric softeners and bleach. It’s important to avoid harsh chemicals in general. You wouldn’t use these garment bleaches and softeners on your hair, right? Well, again, down is feathers.
This might go without saying since down requires a different cleaner. But since we’re being comprehensive here, make sure to wash your down items separately from other laundry.
How To Wash a Polyester Puffer Jacket: More Best Practices
As mentioned, the important thing with polyester puffers is to use a gentle cycle and mild detergent. One big difference between polyester and down jackets is that you can use warm water with polyester. This is because it doesn’t have the oils that feathers do.
Not all washing machines are the same, so cold water is always the safest bet. Anything above 110 degrees Fahrenheit or 43.3 Celsius is too hot. If you know your machine well and know that the warm setting never falters or goes beyond that, then go for it.
How To Wash a North Face Puffer Jacket
With North Face puffer jackets, you generally want to turn them inside out before washing them. Even their website recommends this. Doing this prevents pilling on the exterior. While the friction against the towel or blanket you put in there will be minimal, at least it’s happening to the interior. This will help maintain the look of the jacket.
As with any other puffer, you still want to remove everything from the pockets, close all zippers, fasten all fastenings, and use a gentle cycle.
Certain North Face puffers do just fine in a low-heat dryer after the wash. But I think it’s best to play it safe and air dry them. Save the dryer for the post-clean puffing.
How To Wash a Patagonia Puffer Jacket
Make sure to wash your Patagonia Puffer jacket in a front-loading washer. I’d say this is the case for most if not all, puffers. However, Patagonia’s performance jackets tend to have many extra facets, like hoods and an added tie to the zipper.
A front-loading washer doesn’t have the central agitator that a top-loading machine has. If that zipper tie catches during the wash cycle, it can pull on the garment. If you simply don’t have access to a front-loading washer, you can always turn the jacket inside out as you would a North Face jacket. This way, you protect all of the extra pieces and ties inside.
You can also try using a garment bag if you can find one that’s big enough.
How To Wash a Columbia Puffer Jacket
As with the North Face and Patagonia jackets, Columbia recommends a front-loading washer. Like Patagonia, they mention you can dry their jackets in the drying machine on low. However, I still think it’s best to save the dryer for puffing the jacket. Again, avoid bleach or fabric softener, even if you have a synthetic jacket.
I know that Columbia is a go-to brand for adventures like SUV camping. So, make sure to brush off any dirt or debris before putting your jacket in the washer. You don’t want pieces of pine and wood chips in that cleaning water!
FAQ
Do you still have questions on how to clean a puffer jacket? No worries! Here are the most commonly asked ones, along with some concise answers.
How Often Should You Wash a Puffer Jacket?
In general, and on average, most people will wash their puffer jackets twice a year. However, there are a lot of factors here. If you’ve come back from a winter camping trip and your jacket smells like firewood or a fishing excursion, wash it immediately. If you live in a year-round winter climate, you might even wash your puffer monthly.
How Do You Keep a Puffer Jacket Smelling Fresh?
Regularly hang your puffer jacket in a well-ventilated area, perhaps even outdoors. You can also use a delicate fabric refresher spray or baking soda. Baking soda is an all-natural deodorizer; sprinkle it on your jacket, then gently brush it off. You can also add pouches of activated charcoal and dried herbs in its storage area.
How Do You Store a Puffer Jacket?
Make sure the puffer is completely dry. Storing even a slightly wet puffer can lead to mildew. Then, either gently fold it and put it in a breathable cotton or canvas bag or hang it. Avoid packing it too tightly or placing heavy items on it.
Can You Put a Puffer Jacket in the Dryer?
Certain brands mention drying their puffers in a machine dryer. Regardless, I believe it’s best to air-dry them. Heat can damage the puffer’s water resistance and insulation. You can use a dryer to puff your jacket, though. Just make sure you’re using the lowest heat setting.
Conclusion: Keep Your Puffer in Top Condition
There you go. Now you know how to wash a puffer jacket.
Here’s a quick, abbreviated review:
- If you can, use a front-loading washer
- Zip everything up and fasten all enclosures
- Use mild detergent for polyester-filled jackets and down-cleaner for down-filled jackets
- Use a cold, delicate wash
- Air-dry flat on a rack
Jacket maintenance is important to ensure it lasts long, stays effective, and looks great!
Questions? Comments? Leave them for us in the comments below.
