What would happen if I put my down feather jacket into a top load washer with an agitator?

Question

I need to wash my down feather jacket and it's filthy, it's tag says dry clean only, but whenever I get it back from the cleaner's, it's still filthy...I want to know if I can clean it myself without ruining it, if not completely?

I want to clean it, as in there are stains, so fluffing and making it smell pretty aren't on the top of my list...Is handwashing the surface with detergent safe for the feathers?

Answer 1

A top load agitator washer will break the quills of the feathers. Washing it once probably wouldn't ruin it but it will damage the feathers. Not to mention the feathers will bunch up in to the corners of the stitching. You will have to rearrange the filling and allow it time to dry before fluffing the feathers back into place. So in all I wouldn't recommend a top load washer. But a front load washer will be safer (still not recommended though) since that's what they use in dry cleaning.

Answer 2

if you handwash it it will be ok but if u cant be bothered then in ur toploader put it on the most delicate cycle liek wool or something by itself nothing else choose no spin and take it out and shake it to get all the feathers redistributed then hang up to dry and every so often keep patting it and buffing it up

Answer 3

Don't put it in the washer, you will destroy it.
Gently wash the surface with a mix of laundry detergent (maybe even Woolite) and oxyclean (use the liquid oxyclean) diluted with water using a soft cloth. If you need to freshen the scent of it, use Febreeze once it has dried.

Answer 4

I would never put down anything in water. Totally messes it up. Use Dreyel (avaialble at Target, Walmart, Drug stores. Follow directions and dry clean in your dryer. I've never had a problem, everything comes out fresh and clean, never damaged, and no shrinkage. You'll love it, Happy Cleaning!