It helps protect the natural oils that is contained in the down feathers by preventing it from drying out and also helps preserve the feathers’ loft. For this reason, the washing process will not cause the down to lose its insulating ability nor lose its shape. Water, whether it is rain or condensation from sweat, compromises the insulating properties of down. If down gets wet it loses all of its insulating capacity and also causes weight gain. This reduces the comfort of the user, causing them to feel cold and wet, but more importantly the reduction in insulation is dangerous and in severe cases can lead to hypothermia. When wet, down loses all of its insulating properties, as water conducts heat away from the body up to 25 times faster than air. Use undiluted Down Wash Direct to treat stubborn stains before washing. Remove all non-washable parts. Shake well before use. Follow item care label instructions. Do not use conventional detergents. Your down items could be soaking up water because the Durable Water Repellency (DWR) has been compromised by dirt, or because it has been cleaned with a conventional laundry detergent. Dirt attracts water and household detergents leave water attracting (hydrophilic) residues, leading to fabric and down 'wetting out' in wet or damp conditions. If your down items are relatively new, or have been recently treated with Nikwax Down Proof>, then cleaning with Nikwax Down Wash Direct® will not only remove contaminants, such as dirt and residues left behind by household detergents, but also revitalize insulation and restore DWR.

Now, onto today’s selection, which is that of down cleaners. Why down-specific cleaners are important you can find out in the aforementioned guide, now it’s time to take a look at some of the best and essential products needed to properly wash a down-insulated coat. Make sure the detergent compartment of your washing machine is clean of any detergent or softener (for the reasons described above). You may wish to run your washing machine on a hot wash with nothing in it to clear any residues from detergent or softeners. Hand wash sleeping bags or wash in a professional machine). Nikwax Down Wash Direct can also be applied by hand... Down filled items are used to provide lightweight insulation to keep you warm. The structure of down allows air to be trapped between its filaments and warmed by body heat to provide insulation for the user.

Smart Sheep Reusable Wool Dryer Balls

They are, of course, suitable to be used with down garments as well, as they help break up the down clumps and fluff up the feathers. Smart Sheep Reusable Wool Dryer Balls Conventional detergents can have a detrimental effect on down, whereas this wash is designed to clean and restore the water repellency of down while maintaining the fill and insulation. It will also restore breathability which helps to keep the down performing well in damp or cold conditions. This product is water-based, non-hazardous, biodegradable and environmentally friendly as well for good measure. Down filled items are most likely to get sweaty and wet inside when used in damp or wet conditions. Therefore it is important to stop down filled gear from getting wet by maintaining Durable Water Repellency (DWR). The outer fabric of your down filled item, as well as the down inside, must be maintained to ensure comfort. Nikwax Down Wash Direct will revitalise the insulation and restore DWR. Down is ideal for very cold and dry conditions... Whitmor’s dryer balls come in a set of 4, in the color blue. They are made of reusable and non-toxic material and designed with soft spikes that help massage the fabric of any garment, therefore substituting fabric softener.

Over time dirt and oil build up which will reduce the insulation properties of down, to ensure that you maintain it properly by cleaning it with Down Wash from Nikwax. Through use, dirt and body oils build up on down items. This effects both the fabric and the down fill. Dirt attracts water; if the fabric absorbs water, rain and condensation can easily transfer into the down. If down gets wet it clumps together. This causes it to lose loft and insulation as it can’t trap air effectively. When wet, down loses all of its insulating properties, as water conducts heat away from the body up to 25 times faster than air. It will also gain weight and its breathability will be significantly reduced; leaving you feeling cold, wet and uncomfortable.

Le Blanc® Green Meadows Downwash

This cleaner is environmentally-friendly and free of VOC and Fluorocarbon, and it is also Bluesign Certified. The last wash-in product, before we move onto drying-essential products is by Grangers, the Down Wash Kit. This is a product that comes not only as a wash-in cleaner but it is accompanied by dryer balls, too. Rinse & Spin: So long as there isn’t a center-mount agitator, a special washing machine isn’t required for down gear. If the washer is large enough to handle the load, it’s good to go. The hard and fast rule is rinse, spin, then spin again. Get as much water out before drying as possible. Use neat Nikwax Down Wash Direct to treat stubborn stains before washing. Remove all non-washable parts. Shake well before use. Follow care label instructions. Do not use conventional detergents.