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Original poster

I washed a down jacket and expected it to survive?

104 replies

Justsewsew · 18/12/2025 19:02

I bought an as new Land's End down jacket from Vinted and washed it today on a 30 degree wash. The filling has clumped up in the channels and I now notice it should have been a cold wash only. I've tumbled dried it on low but it's mot getting any better. Is there anything I can do to redeem it? 😭

OP posts:
Flowers999 · 18/12/2025 22:42

I did this with a down ralph lauren coat a few weeks ago. Its not ruined. It took me about a week of patience. Drying on a radiator and just randomly getting the coat shakinh it and prying the feathers apart bit by bit. It will vome back shake it like a polaroid picture

Gunz · 18/12/2025 22:48

Nikwax do a kit where it provides you with the correct washing liquid to clean down jackets with + mini tennis balls. I had melted chocolate in a Gilet made of down and using the kit came up good as new.

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ThisIsMyBurnerPhone · 18/12/2025 22:48

Giantlanternlight · 18/12/2025 19:05

It will need dried much longer than you think it needs. Tennis or drier balls and back on.

It will need dried?

saraclara · 18/12/2025 23:06

If you're going to own a down jacket, you need a tumble dryer and a set of these spiky balls. And ideally some down washing liquid. My down jacket comes up beautifully fluffy thanks to my spiky friends.

I washed a down jacket and expected it to survive?
Original poster
Justsewsew · 18/12/2025 23:36

RescueMeFromThisSilliness · 18/12/2025 20:17

I washed a pad insert from a cat igloo (feline accident on it so had to) and the thing came out looking like a tray of rock cakes. All big fat hard lumps. The cat won't go near it.😂

I'm surprised the cat used the igloo in the first place 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
Justsewsew · 18/12/2025 23:38

Smartiepants79 · 18/12/2025 20:41

Don’t throw it away for gods sake. Allow it to dry thoroughly and then just shake it in every possible direction for as long as possible. Smacking it against something helps also. It will be completely back to normal with. A bit of effort.

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I wouldn't throw it away. I might gift it to someone more determined than I

OP posts:
Original poster
Justsewsew · 18/12/2025 23:40

Skcollob · 18/12/2025 21:27

Please don't throw it away (I'll have it!!), tumble dry it again and just try not to let it get too grubby in future!

I don't know how a cream coloured coat can't get grubby though

OP posts:
Original poster
Justsewsew · 18/12/2025 23:40

I don't know how a cream coloured coat can't get grubby though

OP posts:
Original poster
Justsewsew · 18/12/2025 23:43

TheChosenTwo · 18/12/2025 22:34

I have a down jacket that I wash as little as possible but when I do it takes probably a good 10 hours in the tumble dryer on a cool
setting with a couple of dryer balls
in there. First time I washed it I thought I’d fucked it right up, it was flat as a pancake, but then googled and saw it would be fine - it was, but it took a lot longer than I thought. It did puff right back up with no declumping required.

Ten hours is ridiculous. It can have what i've given it and it better sort itself out 😂

OP posts:
OhSoSalty · 18/12/2025 23:52

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CaptainMyCaptain · 19/12/2025 00:10

saraclara · 18/12/2025 23:06

If you're going to own a down jacket, you need a tumble dryer and a set of these spiky balls. And ideally some down washing liquid. My down jacket comes up beautifully fluffy thanks to my spiky friends.

You don't need a tumble dryer to own a down jacket.

CrikeyMajikey · 19/12/2025 02:36

Hang it in the airing cupboard or next to a radiator for a few days to ensure it’s fully dry. Then pop it back in the tumble drier, on low, with a wet but wrung out tea towel. If will fluff up beautifully.

saraclara · 19/12/2025 07:54

CaptainMyCaptain · 19/12/2025 00:10

You don't need a tumble dryer to own a down jacket.

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If you want it to fluff up like new, you probably do.

The first time I washed my down jacket, even after I tumbled it, I had to sit for ages trying to separate the clumps of down that had turned into hard little balls in each 'tube' to fill the sections that were entirely empty.

Those spiky balls have been a game changer.

CaptainMyCaptain · 19/12/2025 07:57

saraclara · 19/12/2025 07:54

If you want it to fluff up like new, you probably do.

The first time I washed my down jacket, even after I tumbled it, I had to sit for ages trying to separate the clumps of down that had turned into hard little balls in each 'tube' to fill the sections that were entirely empty.

Those spiky balls have been a game changer.

Show quote history

DH and I have had several down jackets and no tumble dryer. They always come up like new eventually it just takes longer to dry. We tend to wash them on a good line drying day then leave them somewhere warm to finish off. You absolutely don't need a tumble dryer.

Rocknrollstar · 19/12/2025 09:16

Justsewsew · 18/12/2025 19:02

I bought an as new Land's End down jacket from Vinted and washed it today on a 30 degree wash. The filling has clumped up in the channels and I now notice it should have been a cold wash only. I've tumbled dried it on low but it's mot getting any better. Is there anything I can do to redeem it? 😭

I did this a few years ago with a Uniqlo coat that said you could hand wash. What they meant was sponge clean. It was ruined. All the down had clumped into hard balls. Nothing to be done.

Gowlett · 19/12/2025 09:19

I wouldn’t wash something second hand, if obviously new...
It’s just been in someone’s wardrobe? No help to you, sorry!

Staringintothevoid616 · 19/12/2025 18:26

LindaMcCartney · 18/12/2025 19:22

Live plucking is a controversial and often illegal practice where feathers and down are forcibly ripped from the skin of conscious geese
.

  • Physical Trauma: Birds frequently suffer skin tears, bleeding, and broken or dislocated wings from rough handling.
  • Wound Care: Open gashes are often stitched by workers using a needle and thread without anesthetic or pain relief.
  • Frequency: Geese can be plucked every 5 to 8 weeks, with parent birds suffering this process up to 16 times before slaughter.
  • Legality: The practice is banned in the UK and European Union, yet investigations have uncovered ongoing "secret" plucking at farms in countries like Poland and Hungary.
  • Loopholes: Some farmers use "gathering" (collecting loose feathers during natural molting) as a legal loophole to hide live plucking, as birds do not molt simultaneously.
  • Certification Issues: While standards like the Responsible Down Standard (RDS)exist to prevent live plucking, critics argue that gaps in auditing and complex supply chains allow live-plucked feathers to enter the global market.

Yep why anyone would go for an item of clothing with down God only knows. Lots of alternatives out there

Kag13 · 19/12/2025 18:27

Justsewsew · 18/12/2025 19:37

You are right of course @LindaMcCartney . I don't really know why I bought it as I don't eat meat myself and I don't know what overcame me. No excuses.

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Not all down is harvested like this. I visited a down farm in Iceland when on holiday and the down there was harvested from the birds nests after the chicks had fledged. The female birds use it themselves to line the nests for the chicks.
It was collected then cleaned and sold to responsible manufacturers which is why it’s so expensive. The birds lived on the farm which was on an island and roamed freely.

Gamjs · 19/12/2025 18:29

The label on mine said cool tumble dry with 2 tennis balls. I read this after I thought I’d ruined it. I rewetted it and it came back like new. Don’t despair yet!

SurroundedByEejits · 19/12/2025 18:55

I've got several Lands End down coats/ jackets. I wash them on a cool wash and then tumble dry on warm, they come up like new. My favourite one is 20 years old, it's gone through a couple of dozen of these washes and it's still looking amazing.

SemiRetiredLoveGoddeess · 19/12/2025 18:56

Wrecked an expensive M & S jacket years ago doing the same thing.

So your are not alone

Trishyb10 · 19/12/2025 19:04

I did same with expensive long winter down coat, all clumped together,thoughtnitnwould have to be throw out… but.. i kept shaking it on and off for days,. And its got to thoroughly dry out, i,m wearing it now and its perfect so just persevere x

clarehhh · 19/12/2025 19:08

Tumble dry with drier balls

oustedbymymate · 19/12/2025 19:09

Throw three tennis balls in the tumble drier to help fluff up the down. You may need to re wash if you used normal detergent rather than down as it will make the feathers clump more. Re wash with a down wash and tennis balls in the drier. You will be able to bring it back to life