UKH

Hi, 

I have recently bought a down jacket (first one) and i was wondering on how to wash it. It is a berghaus one and I was wondering if i could use nikwax tech wash and tx direct on it. Any tips? 

Thanks 

You don't say if it's hydrophobic down or whether it's got a DWR coating, but start with:

https://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/products/cleaning/down-wash-direct/

and then see how that goes.

If necessary/appropriate, follow up with either or both of:
https://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/products/waterproofing/down-proof/
and
https://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/products/waterproofing/tx-direct-spray-on/ (only on the outside)

Edit - if it's new, look after it, keep it clean and avoid washing it for as long as you can. My 2 down jackets have never been washed.

Nikwax have specialist Down Wash and Down Proof products, IIRC. Whether those are actually different to Tech Wash and TX Direct I couldn't say...

If you've just bought it, it ought to be a while before you need to wash it, unless you anticipate it getting particularly dirty for some reason.

Arguably, the more important part of caring for a down jacket is the drying. See what the care label says but they generally need a long cycle in the tumble dryer, let's say 3-6 hours. 

Depending on the puffiness of the jacket your house dryer might not be big enough to restore the jacket to its original dry loftiness. 

I don't wash mine at all unless it's absolutely necessary. If I do I use a specialist - Mountaineering Designs - to do it properly. (They've got a down jacket of mine at the moment. I've have had down sleeping bags done by them in the past that have come back like new.) I think Alpkit now also do a wash service. 

I just stick mine in the machine with Grangers Down Wash and then tumble dry. They’re more robust than you perhaps realise.

I might be more careful if I was going to the Himalaya and my life depended on the warmth of my bivi jacket, but no one died of the cold, bouldering in the Peak in November, just because their down jacket had lost a few feathers. 

I washed mine a while ago - took all the advice re drying - jacket was never the same again. 

I'm not saying it's not possible, but I took it seriously and was careful and somehow fooked it up, so proceed with caution would be my advice.

Since the experience I have bought synthetic jackets

I have hand washed numerous sleeping bags and down jackets, always when they really needed it, ie filthy. Always been pleased with the final  result.

Dont rush it, expect the bath to be out of use for at least 8 hours. I dont have a tumble dryer so just spin and air dry inside. Expect drying to take several days and spend a few minutes every day to fluff up the down clumps.

Lift the saturated jacket very carefully, the internal panels are only strong enough  to support dry down. 

Be prepared for extreme feeling of self doubt when you first put the bag or jacket into the bath water!  And even bigger pangs when putting the sodden lump into the spin dryer. Not much better when it comes out of the spin cycle but fine after a week on the drying rack.

I washed my Mountain Equipment Needlesports down jacket recently. It was very grubby, mostly from the pub.

Used soap solution. Well soaked for a long time and gently manipulated. Dried carefully - tumbled with tennis balls, then plenty of shaking out and airing in the warm.

Brilliant result, far less scruffy-looking. Smelt good too.

DC

It's a synthetic hydrophobic down

Personally I prefer Grangers to Nixwax, dunno why just do.

I've always used this kit....

https://grangers.co.uk/collections/down/products/down-wash-kit

Follow the instructions and it always comes out well. Biggest mistake I made was trying to use a washer/dryer. much more effective in a proper tumble D and even better at a commercial laundromat etc.

I remember being terrified first time I washed my down jacket but it works really well!

Let's get this clear: is it synthetic, or is it natural down? Maybe just tell us exactly what jacket it is, or read the fabric content label.

We filmed the following earlier in the year, which outlines our experiences of the process, and hopefully makes sense of it all. Contrary to what Nikwax say we found the spiky balls (or tennis balls) pretty essential. Overall it's definitely a step up from washing/proofing a waterproof jacket in time and complexity, but the results are really good. Hopefully it's of help!

youtube.com/watch?v=bglhqUsIH84&

full synthetic

the berghaus claggan

Right, in that case, washing is very much easier than the cautious advice here, given assuming ir was natural down.

Synthetic insulation is much easier to wash, since it is not fragile when wet, and does not 'clump'. Wash as per garment instructions, TX Direct will do. After spinning, it should be pretty much dry; synthetic insulation sheds water very well; that's why it's good in wet conditions.

Not sure about 3 hours? if you put 3 tennis balls on the dryer as well it should be ready in normal time

Thank you very much! I appreciate it.

thank you I will do that

This really depends on the type of down jacket we’re talking about.