If you've just washed a down-filled coat or a duvet and it's wilted ... do not despair

[Countingthegreyhairs]

Just an info thread in case anyone is in the same predicament

I washed dd's (newish) down-filled coat last week and thought it had been ruined ... reading the following article on the internet saved the day ... so just wanted to pass the info on

www.stretcher.com/stories/990215c.cfm

Main points to remember are:

• do not use ordinary detergent - Woolite or soap flakes best - otherwise natural oils are removed from feathers which causes them to flop

• wash on delicate cycle at 30°C

• then dry very, VERY slowly at low temperature in tumble dryer over a very long period of time (do not do this the night before coat is needed like me or you will be up all night!!)

• it's at this point that the coat or duvet will miraculously perk up again especially if you put some clean tennis balls in dryer

• remember to make sure the item is thoroughly dry before wearing because if not real goose down can rot from inside

Thanks very much.

I ruined a down jacket by washing it and then drying on a radiator, the jacket and house were filled with the smell of burnt feathers - yuk. So don't put them near the rads.

i got one from gap for my daughter as a gift

i followed instructions on label wash on 30 etc and tumble dry on very low heat

i did this and it was still destroyed

my step mum took it back and got another one i still have to wash this one bcus my dryer is broke and didnt want to take a chance.

fingers crossed

on my dryer i have a high setting and a low setting so i presume its just the low one?

yes hunnybun - it's definitely the low one ... but for ages and ages ... it can take a day and a night ...

I thought dd's jacket was totally destroyed as it went totally limp but it does come right in the end ...and the new tennis balls or a clean trainer do help as well ...