Washing and storage instructions for down

Buitenactiviteiten, Wintersport, Alpine touring, Kamperen, Snowkiten, Verzorging en reparatie, Sneeuwschoenwandelen, Tourlanglauf by Varuste.net / Toimisto-Jorma, 16.10.2023

Down is a natural material that offers exceptional insulation, weight-to-warmth ratio, and comfort. To ensure that your down product retains its properties and serves you for as long as possible, it is important to treat it with the same care and warmth that it provides you, even in the harshest conditions. The superior qualities of down are best realized when it is fluffy, dry, and clean. Properly cared for, down insulates better and its lifespan is extended, making your valuable purchase even more durable.

Storing down

Down needs to breathe properly
Regularly air out your down products and store them as loosely as possible. Avoid keeping your down bag tightly compressed, for example, in a compression sack, and let down jackets rest in an airy place during the summer. Many down bags and even some clothing items come with a larger storage bag, which is ideal for storage. Storage bags are also available separately as accessories.

Compression and storage bags

Fluff and shake
Handling your down product by shaking, fluffing, and gently kneading it regularly helps keep the down airy and fluffy.

Avoid direct sunlight
Down prefers shady places. Do not leave your valuable gear in direct sunlight, as it can dry out and damage the natural softness of the down.

Washing down sleeping bags and down clothing

Avoid unnecessary soiling
Careful use reduces the need for washing. Protect your down gear during use as much as is practical: a sleeping bag liner is an excellent protection for a down sleeping bag. When using a down jacket or pants, it is good to wear a thin (e.g., merino wool) layer of clothing between your skin and the down product. If you use down gear in wet conditions, protect it from direct moisture to prevent the down from getting wet.

Laakenzakken

Gentle washing
If your down product gets dirty despite all the care, or when signs of use start to show, it can and should be washed gently, as clean down insulates better. Follow the product and detergent washing instructions carefully and use a delicate wash cycle. Ensure that the down product fits loosely and comfortably in the washing machine drum. Soak the gear thoroughly before washing.

Choose the right detergent and rinse thoroughly
We recommend using a detergent specifically designed for down. Avoid strong, powdery, and bleaching detergents as well as fabric softeners. Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water. You can run the down product through the rinse cycle several times until all detergent residues are removed.

> Never twist or squeeze the down, but let it dry in peace. Also check the product's washing instructions: the manufacturer may recommend a long spin for the product - so follow the instructions if this is advised.