How to wash your down jacket at home

Washing your down jacket or vest is crucial to keep it feeling fresh and performing well.

We would recommend washing once a season, or sooner if it gets visibly dirty or the down fill looks clumpy or flat.

The easiest way to do this is by using Rab Wash, our no-nonsense, specialist downwash service.

Click here to find out more.

However, if you'd rather do it yourself...

Heres a step-by-step for cleaning your down jacket or vest 

1. Prepare your washing machine. Make sure your machine is clean and remove all detergent buildup from the dispenser. Close all the pockets and zips.
2. Turn your jacket inside out. This helps wash the down and protects all the fasteners on the jacket.
3. Place your jacket in the washing machine. Ideally, there should be one item per wash.
4. Use a down-specific detergent. You can use a standard non-biological soap, but for extra benefits, we really recommend using a down-specific detergent.
5. Wash your jacket on a long, gentle cycle. This will make sure the outer and especially the down gets a good washing.
6. Rinse your jacket thoroughly. Make sure the product gets an extra rinse to remove any leftover detergent.
7. Spin your jacket to remove as much water as possible.
8. Dry your jacket in a tumble dryer on a mid to low heat setting. Expect the jacket to take 2-4 hours to dry depending on its size and down fill.
9. At several points, get the jacket out and actually hit the down in the baffles. The down can become stuck in one part of the jacket and needs to be moved along the entire length of the baffle. Repeat this process until the product is fully dry.

If you have any questions, reach out to our helpful customer support team. 

Tips

• If you have a top-loading washing machine, place your jacket in a mesh bag to protect it.
• If you don't have a tumble dryer, you can dry your jacket on a clothesline or drying rack. Just be sure to keep it out of direct sunlight, as this can damage the down.
• To help your down jacket last longer, be sure to store it in a clean, dry place when you're not using it.