How to Wash a Puffer Jacket in 4 Easy Steps

How to Wash a Puffer Jacket

1. Prepare Your Jacket

   Before your puffer jacket heads into the washing machine, empty the pockets and zip the front zipper all the way up. This will prevent the zippers from snagging on anything in the machine and help the jacket keep its shape. Then, read the care tag on your jacket to see what type of material the filling is made out of. Most fillings are either down or synthetic polyester.

2. Add the Jacket to the Washing Machine

   Next, place the puffer jacket in the washing machine. If your jacket is quite small, place a clean towel or two alongside it to prevent the washer tub from becoming off-balance. If your jacket has a synthetic polyester filling, add the appropriate amount of gentle detergent to the machine.

   If you have a down jacket, use a down-specific detergent, like Nikwax's Down Wash Direct or Rivevex's Down Cleaner, if possible. Puffer jackets have fillings and coatings that are sensitive to harsh soaps and chemicals, so it's important to use the right laundry detergent.

3. Run the Washing Machine on a Delicate Cycle

   Once you've added your jacket and detergent, select the delicate or wool cycle on your washing machine. Heavy agitation or spinning can damage your jacket's filling. If your machine has an option to add an extra rinse to the end of the wash cycle, select it. This will ensure no soap or detergent residue is left behind in or on the jacket.

4. Air Dry Your Jacket

   Once the wash cycle has run its course, remove your jacket from the washing machine—it will probably still be quite wet. Lay your jacket across the flat surface of your drying rack and let it air-dry. It may take a while.

   Check on your jacket every few hours and smooth out any clumps in the filling that develop as it dries. Once the jacket has completely dried, you're good to wear it.