How to Wash a Down Jacket & Synthetic Insulation Jacket

Learning how to wash a down jacket, down snow pants, and other synthetic insulation outerwear at home is easier than ever with Burton’s step-by-step guide. However, there are a few important tips and tricks you should know before tossing your gear into the washing machine. We compiled the ins and outs of washing and storing down/synthetic ski and snowboard outerwear so you can extend the useful life of your gear while looking as fresh as possible on the mountain, all season long.

• Reasons to Wash Down & Synthetic Insulation Outerwear
• How to Wash a Down Jacket & Pants: Washing and Drying Instructions
• How to Wash a Synthetic Insulation Jacket & Pants: Washing and Drying Instructions
• Liquid CO2 Washing for Down & Synthetic Outerwear
• How to Store Insulated Outerwear & Clothing

Reasons to Wash Down & Synthetic Insulation Outerwear

Down snowboard jackets and synthetic insulation snowboard jackets slowly lose their ability to keep you warm as body oils and other contaminants like dirt accumulate on the fabric and insulation. But grime does more than just reduce the effectiveness of insulation. It can also physically damage fabric over time, leading to abrasion and premature wear. Regular washing of snowboarding outerwear prevents these issues, extending the usable life of your garments. Also, your chairlift buddies will appreciate you smelling fresher, trust us.

But many people are uncertain about how to wash a down jacket or synthetic insulation jacket at home, thinking that they need dry-cleaning or other specialty cleaning services. Spoiler: this isn’t true. And believe it or not, dry-cleaning is actually bad for your gear (and the planet). The good news is that learning how to wash a down jacket or synthetic insulation jacket at home is easy and only requires a few quick steps.

Pro tip: We recommend using a front-loading washing machine, which is typically gentler on technical fabrics. If you don’t have a front-loading washing machine at home, consider hitting up your local laundromat.

How to Wash a Down Jacket & Pants: Washing and Drying Instructions

To wash a down jacket at home, begin by purchasing a down-specific cleaning product. We recommend the Grangers Down Care Kit which comes with residue-free detergent specifically formulated for washing down as well as a set of dryer balls. If you’re using down wash from a different manufacturer that doesn’t have dryer balls, two or three clean tennis balls can be used instead.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Empty all the outerwear pockets, close all the zippers, and add some slack to the integrated elastic draw cords.
2. Pre-treat stains and heavy areas of soiling on the exterior of the outerwear using Grangers Down Wash (or an alternative performance wash) and let the garment sit for at least two hours before proceeding.
3. Place the pre-treated item into a front-loading washing machine. Be careful not to overload it (2-3 outerwear items, max).
4. Add the recommended amount of down wash detergent (according to the product’s label) and select a warm (86° F/30° C) wash setting. Do not use fabric softener or any other products, like scent boosters.
5. Once the wash cycle is complete, transfer the item over to the dryer and toss the dryer balls (or tennis balls) on top. Be careful not to overload (2-3 items, max). Tumble dry on low/medium heat. Multiple dryer cycles may be necessary to completely dry down jackets/pants and evenly redistribute down fill. Down outerwear cannot be air dried and should be completely dried in a dryer. Do not use dryer sheets or any other products as they can reduce the lifespan of down outerwear. Note: If you find feathers poking out of your snowboarding jacket or pants after washing or drying, do not pull them out (this will only lead to more down leakage). Instead, gently pinch the down and work it back into the jacket.

Pro tip: For more comprehensive washing and drying instructions, consult Grangers Instructions: How to Protect Burton Outerwear.

How to Wash a Synthetic Insulation Jacket & Pants: Washing and Drying Instructions

When washing PrimaLoft and other synthetic insulation outerwear like Burton Thermacore, you’ll want to begin by purchasing a detergent like Grangers Performance Wash which removes dirt and oils without leaving soapy residue. Like washing down jackets, we recommend using a front-loading washing machine because they’re typically gentler on technical garments, like ski and snowboard jackets.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Empty all the synthetic insulation outerwear pockets, close all the zippers, and add some slack to the integrated elastic draw cords.
2. Pre-treat stains and heavy areas of soiling on the exterior of the synthetic insulation outerwear using Grangers Performance Wash and let the garment sit for at least two before proceeding.
3. Place the pre-treated item into a front-loading washing machine. Be careful not to overload it (2-3 outerwear items, max).
4. Add the recommended amount of Performance Wash (according to the cleaning product’s label) and select a warm (86° F/30° C) wash setting. Do not use fabric softener or any other products, like scent boosters.
5. Once the wash cycle is complete, transfer the item over to the dryer and tumble dry on low/medium heat for at least one cycle (this is a must for waterproof breathable items as the heat reactivates the DWR waterproof treatment). Be careful not to overload (2-3 items, max). If the item is not completely dry, tumble dry for one more cycle or hang dry. Do not use dryer sheets or any other products as they can prevent performance fabrics from functioning properly.

Liquid CO2 Washing for Down/Synthetic Outerwear

An alternative method for cleaning down and synthetic outerwear is with a liquid CO2 washing. Companies that offer this service utilize high-pressure, closed-loop washing machines and liquid CO2 to dissolve oils and remove dirt from delicate down and synthetic outerwear. This cleaning process occurs at extremely low temperatures, so there is no risk of colors bleeding. CO2 washing uses significantly fewer resources and is more environmentally friendly than conventional washing or dry cleaning.

Unlike traditional washing machines, liquid CO2 is not disposed after a single cycle, but instead is filtered to remove contaminants and reused. And because CO2 is a natural solvent, no detergent or soap is needed which means that absolutely no residue is left behind. CO2 washing can restore loft to down garments that you may have thought were at the end of their lifespan.

How to Store Insulated Outerwear & Clothing

Whether you ride all year long (and some dedicated riders do) or just during the winter months, at some point, you’ll need to store your insulated snowboarding and skiing outerwear and clothing. And while proper storage is not difficult, there are a few things to be aware of.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Storing Insulated Outerwear & Clothing

1. Give your insulated jacket and pants a thorough wash before storage.
2. Thoroughly dry your garments to ensure that they don’t develop mold or mildew while in storage.
3. If you have space, store down and synthetic jackets on a hanger in the closet. Storing in a plastic tote is also an acceptable choice if you can fit your jackets without compressing them (which is especially important for down items). If using a tote, ensure that the items are completely dry and consider tossing in a couple of desiccant packets to protect your gear from moisture.