The Ultimate Guide to Puffer Jacket Care: How to Clean, Dry and Re-Waterproof Your Jacket

Taking care of the outerwear in your winter wardrobe, especially your puffer jacket, can seem like a bit of a daunting task at first. You may be worried that by washing and drying your puffer jacket at home, it will lose its shape or water repellency. However, taking care of your jacket really isn’t as complicated as it seems! With our simple and practical tips, you’ll be able to wash, dry and maintain your puffer without any stress, meaning not only can you keep it in check for the present season, but also for many more winters to come! Taking good care of your padded jacket is the perfect way to increase its lifespan, so you can enjoy more wear for your money. So, get ready to embrace colder temperatures all-season-long with your puffer, and read on to discover our top tips on looking after it!

No need for dry cleaning, you can easily take care of your jacket at home!

When you think of winter coats and jackets, you may assume that they must be taken to the dry cleaners. However, this method uses harsh chemicals that are not only harmful to the environment, but can also weaken the fabric of your clothes. Luckily, at Atlas For Men, none of our items call for dry cleaning. We actually recommend skipping this cleaning method altogether when it comes to our clothing!

Can you put a puffer jacket in the washing machine, using detergent, without ruining it?

Contrary to popular belief, synthetic puffer jackets are just as easy to care for as your everyday garments, such as socks and t-shirts! You can simply throw them into your washing machine at 30°C, without any fuss! Down, feather-filled jackets and those with fur, however, are a bit more delicate, so they'll require a little extra care compared to the basic instructions indicated below. Thankfully, all Atlas For Men puffer jackets are made from synthetic material, making them easy-wear and easy-care. Whatever your puffer is made from, the first step is to always read the care label before you begin washing your jacket – care labels are there to help you avoid any laundry mishaps after all! Side note: if you need any extra tips on how to read laundry labels, you can check out our guide.

Discover how to wash a puffer jacket in 4 easy steps

1) Start by emptying the pockets of your jacket and zipping it up.
2) Place it in the washing machine along with a few other garments, as increased contact will help fluff up the padding during the wash.
3) As usual, you'll need to use some liquid detergent. However, we recommend skipping fabric softener, as it's not ideal for this style of jacket.
4) Set your machine to a low heat (30°C maximum) on a delicate spin cycle, and there you have it! You’ll be left with a freshly washed jacket.

How to air dry a puffer jacket

So, now that your padded jacket has been through the washing machine, how do you go about drying it? For best results and to keep your puffer as good as new, we recommend air drying it, rather than using a tumble dryer. As well as being kinder to your clothing, this method is better for the environment, and will leave your jacket smelling nice and fresh! However, this technique will require a fair bit of patience, so make sure you’ve got plenty of time (and towels) on hand!

Start by pressing your puffer jacket flat between two towels to soak up as much water as possible. When the towels are wet, swap them for fresh ones and repeat the process. Just be sure not to wring or twist the jacket, as this can damage the material.

Once you’ve removed as much water as possible, lay the jacket flat on a dry towel to air dry. During this stage, you will need to turn it over several times per day, giving it a good shake and gently patting each section to evenly redistribute the padding. This step is important to avoid clumps, which can be a lot more challenging to fix later.

When the jacket feels just slightly damp, hang it on a wide plastic hanger to keep its shape and let it dry completely. Top tip: while drying your jacket in a warm or sunny spot is fine, avoid putting it near direct sources of heat such as radiators, as they can damage the fabric or feathers.

What about using the tumble dryer?

If you find yourself short on time, the good news for you is that certain puffer jackets can be put in the dryer! The key is to check the care label of your jacket to make sure that it’s compatible with the tumble dryer. Place your padded jacket in the dryer on a synthetic or cold setting. Add a few other garments, laundry balls or even clean tennis balls to help with the tumbling process. This will keep the padding evenly distributed and airy. You’ll likely need to run more than one cycle if you're drying a down jacket, to ensure that the feathers dry completely. One cycle should be enough for a synthetic, lightweight puffer. Once complete, your puffer jacket will be back to its full, cosy fluffiness!

How often should you wash your padded jacket?

It’s normal that your jacket will need a good wash from time to time, especially after accompanying you on all your outdoor adventures! However, we advise against washing your jacket too frequently, as this can weaken the fabric. If you notice that your jacket has stains or any bad odours, you’ll know that it’s time to give it a wash. However, if you’re simply wearing your puffer when out and about, you can get away with washing it once every season.

How to re-waterproof your puffer

Over time, or after washing, a puffer jacket can become less water-resistant. Rain is the enemy of feather-filled down jackets in particular, as when they get wet, they lose all of their insulating qualities. Synthetic puffer jackets on the other hand react better to rain, and will continue to keep you warm thanks to their synthetic insulation, even when damp. For this reason, synthetic puffers are often the most popular choice when it comes to choosing the best everyday jacket. As a general rule, you should try to re-waterproof your jacket at least once per year. While this might sound complicated, it's actually pretty straightforward. You'll just need to purchase a re-waterproofing solution that usually comes in a spray bottle (unless you’ve opted for a wash-in version). Luckily, these products are widely available, so you should be able to find one easily.

What about storing your padded jacket?

Now that you’ve gone to the effort of maintaining your jacket, it’s important to store it correctly too, so that you don’t undo all the hard work you’ve just put in! You’ll want to make sure that your puffer isn’t squished among other coats and jackets, and has room to breathe. If your jacket is compressed over a long period of time, it may not be able to expand back to its original size and shape. What’s more, you should avoid using metal hangers, and opt for a thicker plastic or wood hanger instead, to avoid deforming your jacket.

Stay snug this season!

So, there you have it! You now know how to take care of your puffer jacket at home, without any stress! And, if you've not yet got a puffer jacket in your winter closet, why not check out our guide to how to choose the best men’s puffer jacket? Trust us, they're a real style staple during the colder months!