Washing a down jacket, advice please

[Trunks]

Sods law!

Just as the weather is getting colder & I've been wearing my new RAB alpine down jacket, my 16 month old daughter spectacularly threw up all over my coat tonight

I have sponged it with water, but it still stinks!

Any advice on how to wash it without either wrecking the down or the weather resistant pertex would be greatly received.


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[udamiano]

with Rab kit it recommended to get dry cleaned professionally I'm afraid. place in Rotherham specialises in Rab kit and is one of their recommended cleaners.

From the Rab website:
Elite Cleaning & After-care Services Ltd.
Unit 2D, Thornhill Industrial Estate
Hope Street
Rotherham
S60 1LH
Tel 01709 833 189.

 

[Dave]

Yeh, there's one in Harrogate as well. You could wash it yourself, in pure soap or techwash, by hand in the bath, then take it to a launderette, to dry in a large dryer on the lowest setting. [With tennis balls in socks inside the dryer] Ive done this myself with a down sleeping bag. But it takes a long time, and costs nearly as much as having it done professionally.

Here you go.

http://www.classicleanofharrogate.co.uk/index.php/down-jackets

 

[Chiseller]

A salesman who'd been to Nikwax told me .......not to bother buying downwash. He said to buy techwash and just mix a spoon full with a cup of water and then put it in the washer drawer like you would an undiluted dose.

 

[jacko1066]

My washing machine has a hand wash programme, do you think it would wreck any down products if I put it in there on the hand wash cycle?

 

[HWMBLT]

You could try sponging it with baking soda solution It helps remove the smell.

 

[sxmolloy]

I always use Nikwax Down Wash to clean my Berghaus Down gillet in the washing machine at home. To dry it I give it a good shake then it's straight into the tumble dryer on the lowest setting. Once it's dried I leave it to hang for a couple of days to allow the down to re-loft. Never, ever had any problems using this method.

 

[Squidders]

Not being funny... but any new item from Rab comes with washing instructions and finding the instructions on the Rab website is very easy indeed. http://rab.uk.com/love-your-rab/down-care.html

I'm not saying there aren't hundreds of working methods out there but why not just go with their advice, after all, I think they'd know whats best for their own kit.

 

[Teepee]

All my down jackets and Gilets have been through the machine on cold delicates setting with Tech wash or Down wash. One has been through nearly ten times and its still lofting nicely. Only one I have to do by hand- if I put it in the machine, it comes out dry. Its too waterproof

Sleeping bags and quilts in the bath by hand.

 

[rik_uk3]

I've a Rab and I use the hand wash/cool 32c setting in the washing machine with soap flakes, low spin and I've had no problems with either the Rab or my TNF down jacket.

I had my sleeping bag cleaned by Johnsons, drop off Monday, pick up following Monday and it cost £19 its part of their 'Duvet' cleaning service, maybe they have a branch near you http://www.johnsoncleaners.com/branch-locator/

 

[Trunks]

Thanks all, just got some down wash, now need to dig out the tennis balls!


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[Bartooon]

I hand washed my Mountain Equipment Lightline in Nikwax Down Wash and followed it up with their Down Proof to add water resistance. I then tumble dried it (with the obligatory tennis balls). I took it out every 20 minutes or so and methodically worked through it manually breaking up any clumps of feathers before returning it to the dryer. It's a rather laborious process but it worked a treat. The grease spot on the front has gone and the grubby cuffs are clean again. Best of all, the loft is every bit as good as before.

The jacket is about 5 years old, but now it is as good as new.

 

[ph5172]

I wash my down jacket usually once a month (i do live in it and sometimes sleep in it) because it does get sweaty and smelly.

All i do is throw it on a cold wash with normal powder and no spin (as it weighs a ton when wet) i then keep a plastic bag handy and get it out, straight into the plastic bag (to save the kitchen floor!!) and put it on a hanger to drip for 24 / 48 hours then a low heat tumble dry with a couple of tennis balls, a quick shake and a bash with the side of a tennis racquet to break up any massive lumps.

Mines still doing strong after 3 years (just make sure its zipped up when drying)