Down vests are a popular layering staple throughout the fall and winter months. Popular outerwear brands like Canada Goose, lululemon, and Moncler offer a variety of down vests in colours, styles, and warmth levels. As investment pieces, it’s important to clean and care for these garments in the way the manufacturer intended. Can you clean your down vest at home? Though the majority of luxury products’ care labels say,  “dry clean only,” you can use an at home approach if you pay special attention and use top of the line washing and drying machines. However, bringing your down vest to a dry cleaner will always give you the best results. 

Preparing Your Down Vest for Cleaning

It’ important to prepare your down vest before it’s cleaned. Quickly check all the pockets and make sure they’re empty. Gum, chocolate, or Kleenex can destroy your vest or washing machine. Unzip the vest and undo any buttons. If your down vest is stained, resist using at home products and take it to the dry cleaner. Garment care professionals have specific cleaning agents that will lift the stain without damaging your beloved down vest. Many vests from brands like Canada Goose, lululemon, and Moncler are made with water resistant and reflective materials and are better left to be spot or stain treated by professionals.

Washing Your Down Vest

If you’re washing your down vest at home, use a front-loading washing machine and run it on a gentle cycle. You can wash your vest using a small amount of detergent. Wash your vest through a second rinse cycle so that it’s completely clean and rid of detergent.

Drying Your Down Vest

Drying your down vest at home will take time and attention. Dry your down vest on a no heat to low heat cycle with four to five tennis balls – this will make your vest extra fluffy. It may take a few cycles for your vest to dry fully. Do not air dry your down vest

Though it might be difficult to think about cleaning your beloved down vest, washing it will remove stains, dirt, grit and return it to its original fluffy state. As always, we always recommend bringing your favourite pieces to a dry cleaner or garment cleaning professional. If you live in the Greater Toronto Area, or Etobicoke, Mississauga, Oakville, or Toronto, you can schedule a pickup and delivery dry cleaning order here.