Feather filled coat has not enjoyed being washed.....suggestions

[alwaysrunninginheels]

Arrrghhhh. I have just washed my feather filled joules winter jacket. Now it says clearly that it can be washed at 30 and so I washed it on a delicate cycle at 30! Now have had it drying all day and to say its not done well doesn't really sum it up. All the feathers are in big clumps so the coat has bits with no padding and bits with clumps. Shaking doesn't seem to help. What can I do.....apart from freeze cos it's not going to keep me warm in its current state!!!

I can't believe the label says it can be washed! In which case, phone Joules, explain and see if you can get a new one/refund?

I have washed my northface down jacket on a 30 then put it in the tumble dryer on a cool setting which seperates the feathers, natural drying doesn't work. I'm sure this is on the care label but will double check for you.

er, the new coat would do exactly the same. Down coats can be washed on delicate cycle, but they need to be dried in a tumble dryer with a couple of tennis balls to reactivate the loft in the feathers. And you are right, until you restore the loft in a tumble dryer it won't insulate. The tennis balls are a must though, it needs a good bashing.

Tumble dry with a couple of tennis balls in the drum. The balls stop the feathers from clumping together and the heat of the drier makes them fluff up.

Oops x post! Great minds Drowning.

My down coat says to tumble dry at a low temp with 3 tennis balls or a clean sneaker (very specific and American!).

yes I've done it with two clean child's trainers as well, works fine!

Yes, to tumble dryer. Even without, it will eventually survive with a good shaking. But it will take about three days to dry.

Years ago Boden used to say tumble dry with a clean plimsoll (in case you've lost all your tennis balls).

Go into Joules with the coat and proof of purchase - if you don't have the receipt then take your card statement. Speak to the manager and explain that you followed the care instructions. If they have heard of the complaint before then you should get either a refund/credit not/replacement on the spot. If they aren't aware of the problem then they are entitled to send it off to be tested. If they choose to do this then don't get angry - it won't change anything and the manager won't be inclined to help you. It should all be fairly easy to sort out.

obvs I mean if the tumble dryer doesn't work...

phew......glad everyone else agreed tumble dryer, was worried I'd get flamed for wrecking your lovely coat.

Now need to find DSs trainer to put in with mine

I always tumble feather and down on hot and its always come out just fine :)
Ds1 has a winter coat in down and I have had to wash it almost weekly. My down jacket is in the washer atm and will be getting a tumble dry takes about 90mins my coat is years old and always comes out as good as new. I would nip to a Launderette and blast it through one of thier dryers see if it can be saved :)

A clean child's trainer? Clean? Where'd you get those from then?

I'll second (or is it third) the tennis balls. Works a treat!!

I put my pillows in the dryer once a week with a tennis ball - keeps them lovely and plump and smelling fresh (am I the only 24year old in Britain that uses those old fashioned tumble dryer sheets...quite possibly! stick them behind my radiators too )

I'm surprised the label doesn't say to use tennis balls to dry. A down coat will never dry naturally properly.

Oh thank you all. Off to hunt out some tennis balls( that the dog hasn't chewed) or clean trainers(emmmm more likely to find tennis balls) but have emailed joules to complain!!!

I had a gilet jacket from Joules which shrank after I washed it according to their instructions.

I phoned them, they told me to send it back, and they replaced it without any problems. Great service.

Yy to tumble drying it.

Ladies you are full of brilliant information. Thank you!!!! Coat now as it was before.....no clumpy feathers. V v v delighted!!!!

Apologies for posting on an old thread... but if any of you are still around... I've just done EXACTLY the same and am sad about my favourite Gilet!

So... when I tumble dry it should I do if from wet (I.E. re-wash before drying with tennis balls) or should I put it in dry (Its now dry from hanging and me not knowing what to do!)?

Thanks!

mein, does it smell? I find feathers can reek if they are left to dry slowly, so always dry from out the wash into drier

However, if its not smelly, Id plonk it in the drier for 20-30 mins with balls and see how it goes.

Thanks, it actually smells OK (although I will double check!). I'll keep you posted!

These coats defiantly need tumble drying . These companies make me so cross . I'm a dry cleaner and the labels are never clear on them. Often they say d/ c and do not tumble dry .. They hate being dry cleaned !! They should have very clear instructions on them telling you exactly how to wash and dry !! You can tell joules that from me if you don't mind !

Hello, I work in a Dry cleaners & I can tell you how to fluff up your coats & jactets, it's a very simple process :) x