Before we dive into the dos, let’s run through some down jacket washing don’ts. These are mistakes we see time and time again and they're likely to ruin your puffer jacket and void the warranty in the process.

❌ Don’t use regular detergent or fabric softener

Standard laundry detergents and softeners can strip the natural oils from the down fibres, which reduces their ability to trap warmth. Always use a technical cleaner designed specifically for down garments—something like Granger’s Down Wash.

❌ Don’t dry clean

The intense chemicals and processes used in dry cleaning will break down both the fabric and the down fill. Stick to at-home cleaning methods.

❌ Don’t wring it out

It might be tempting to give it a squeeze when it's heavy with water, but resist the urge. You're just going to ruin the integrity of the down.

❌ Don’t use a top-loader with an agitator

Old-school washing machines with central agitators can be rough puffer jackets. We recommend using a front loader or top loader without an agitator on a gentle cycle. While Bushbuck gear is tough, there’s no need to take unnecessary risks.

When Do You Need to Wash Your Puffer Jacket?

You don’t need to wash your down jacket after every trip, but leave it too long and you’ll start to lose warmth and loft. A good rule of thumb: wash it when it looks dirty, smells funky, starts feeling flat or you can see the insulation clumping together (not evenly dispersed).

If you’re using your jacket regularly, a wash every season or two is usually enough. Heavy use or wet conditions might call for more frequent cleaning.

Just remember: clean down = warm down. Keeping your jacket fresh helps it perform better and last longer.

How to Machine Wash Your Down Puffer Jacket

Washing your down jacket in a machine is quick and easy—just follow these steps:

1. Zip it up and turn it inside out to protect the outer fabric.

2. Use a gentle detergent made for down, such as Granger's Down Wash.

3. Wash on a cold or 30°C gentle cycle. Use the “extra rinse” option if your machine has it as this helps remove all detergent residue.

4. Skip the spin cycle. This is when your puffer jacket is most at risk of being damaged so it's better to machine or drip dry.

How to Hand Wash Your Down Puffer Jacket

If you prefer the hands-on approach, or if your machine’s not up to the job, here’s how to hand wash your down jacket:

1. Fill a bathtub, sink, or large basin with warm water (around 30°C).

2. Add a down-safe detergent and gently agitate the water.

3. Submerge the jacket and let it soak for 60 minutes.

4. Rinse it out with clean cold water. Gently squeeze out excess water and detergent. Make sure you don't wring it out as that will damage the down.

5. Move on to drying as soon as possible.

How to Dry a Down Puffer Jacket

Drying is just as important as washing when it comes to down care. If you get this part wrong, your jacket might end up flat, clumpy, or even mouldy.

Best Option: Machine Dry

1. Turn the jacket inside out.

2. Tumble dry on low heat with 2–3 clean tennis balls or dryer balls to help re-loft the down.

3. Check every 30 minutes to monitor progress. It can take several hours, but you’ll know it’s ready when the down is fully dry and puffy again.

Alternative Option: Drip Dry + Machine Finish

If you don’t have access to a dryer:

• Lay the jacket flat on a drying rack in a warm, dry space.

• Occasionally massage the baffles to stop clumping.

• Once mostly dry, finish in a dryer on low heat with dryer balls to fully restore loft.

Pro tip: Never store a down jacket compressed in a pack or stuff sack for long periods. Hang it up or store it loosely to maintain loft and shape.

A Little Care Goes a Long Way

We know a lot of people never wash their down puffer jackets because they're afraid of damaging them. Hopefully, this guide will give you the confidence to wash yours whenever it needs it. There's nothing quite like wearing a freshly washed and dried, extra fluffy puffer jacket.