how to repair down puffer jacket

by Hunter Corwin Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

Create a patch How to repair a puffer jacket – cut out a patch of Tenacious Tape slightly larger than the hole Using your scissors, cut out a ...
Round the edges How to repair a puffer jacket – round any edges to keep the patch from catching on things Round off any sharp corners or edges ...
Apply the patch

Full Answer

How to properly wash down puffer jackets?

How to spot wash a down jacket

Make a paste of a little mild soap (like dish soap) and water.
Hold the soiled shell or liner fabric away from the insulation, and use a toothbrush or cloth to gently clean it.
Rinse the material carefully to keep the inner fill from getting wet, then let your jacket air-dry.
Make sure it’s completely dry before you put it away.

How do you clean a puffer jacket?

To remove your stains quickly, the following should be considered:

as much as possible we scrape the inner layers of the jacket
we use only clean and white cloth or cotton pads
wipe the dirt first with a dry cloth, then with a damp one
cleaning is done from the edge of the stain, while moving to the center
place the sponge on the bottom side of the contaminated area, and it will absorb the stain

How do you fix a tear in a puffer jacket?

Here’s what you need:

Gear repair tape, such as Tenacious Tape™
Scissors
Rubbing alcohol
A rag

How to repair a broken zipper on a jacket?

Replacing a Zipper Slider

An end nipper tool to remove the old zipper stop
Needle-nose pliers to crimp the new zipper stop into place
Zipper slider: Most jackets have a single-slider zipper; if yours has a double slider, then you’ll need two replacement sliders. ...
Zipper stop: You should only need one, though they're typically sold in packages that include two or more stops.

How do you repair a hole in a puffer jacket?

0:102:49How do you fix a hole in a down jacket? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the outdoors can be rough on your equipment. Case in point hole in a down jacket how do you fixMoreSo the outdoors can be rough on your equipment. Case in point hole in a down jacket how do you fix that we recommend using tenacious tape.

Can a puffer jacket be repaired?

If your down jacket has a rip or tear, you should try to fix it as soon as possible to prevent that precious down from escaping. The good news is that you can often make the necessary repairs yourself, with minimal skills and equipment – and it won't usually require sewing.

How do I make my puffer jacket puffy again?

The Secret: Throw the puffer into the dryer on a low setting on its own, adding a few tennis balls to the machine. While the jacket dries, the tennis balls will bounce around the machine, constantly hitting the jacket like you would fluff a pillow back into shape.

Can you fluff up a down jacket?

Every 30 minutes, remove the jacket from the hanger and give it a vigorous shake. Then, gently massage the jacket using your fingers to separate any feathers that are clumping together. It's best to set a timer for every 30 minutes. You'll do this for five hours, meaning you'll hand fluff your jacket ten times total.

How do you fix a tear in a nylon down jacket?

2:1912:04Down Jacket - How To Repair Rips & Tears - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd we've got a little cut right there that we need to fix. So I'll show you what we're gonna use toMoreAnd we've got a little cut right there that we need to fix. So I'll show you what we're gonna use to do that for the best results you're gonna want to use get this special tape this particular brand

Why has my puffer jacket gone flat after washing?

This is generally just the result of an incorrectly dried garment and the down is most likely either clumped together or it has migrated into neighbouring baffles and needs to be moved back again.

Can you Restuff a down jacket?

If you must add new down, definitely open up the inner seams. There will be at least two and probably 4 rows of stitching to cut. Half a pound of down is plenty. 3 Oz of 800 fill down may actually do the trick.

Does washing a down jacket ruin it?

Most backpackers are afraid to wash down because they think getting down wet will ruin it, but that's not actually true. You can (and should) wash your down sleeping bag as well. When down gets wet it clumps together and loses its loft, so it performs poorly at holding in heat.

How do you puff up a puffer coat after washing it?

Tumble Dryer The balls bounce around the drum along with the puffer and help to fluff it back to shape. If you find yourself unable to get hold of dryer balls, or you just want to save a bit of money, then tennis balls are a great alternative. They do a perfectly good job of giving the puff back to your puffer jacket.

How can I make my North Face puffy again?

After washing your jacket, the down can clump together inside the lining. To fix this issue, dry your garment on a low heat setting, adding some tennis balls or dryer balls. The balls will separate and fluff up the feathers as they dry, maintaining their insulating properties.

Why is my down jacket flat?

Don't get me wrong, down clumping after washing is totally normal while it's still wet. To unclump the down after washing, be sure to dry it on the lowest, or no, heat setting in the dryer along with 3 clean tennis balls or dryer balls. Let it bounce away until all the clumps are out and the down is redistributed.

How do I make my North Face Fluffy Again?

Where to send jackets for repair?

Professional repairs: If you’re not up for DIY repairs, or you have a really large rip, consider sending your jacket to Rainy Pass Repair, the nation’s largest outdoor gear repair service and repair partner for REI.

How to cover a hole in a jacket?

Cut the patch: Use your scissors to cut a patch that will cover the hole with about one inch of overlap in every direction . If you round the edges of the patch, it will last longer.

How long does it take for a patch to cure?

Apply the patch: Make sure to smooth out the jacket to avoid wrinkles, then press the patch into place with your fingers. The patch will take about 48 hours to fully cure, so be gentle with it for the first couple days.

How to keep patch from ripping off?

Round off any sharp corners or edges on the patch. This will keep the edges of the tape from accidentally catching on things that can rip your patch off.

How long does a patch last?

Allow the patch to set for a while before washing and the repair should last for years to come.

How to patch a tear in a tentacle?

Peel off the backing on a Tenacious Tape Mini Patch or Gear Patch and apply it over the rip, tear, or hole. Patch should overlap tear by 0.5" (12 mm) in all directions.

How long does it take for Tenacious tape to adhere to a sleeve?

If you do a repair before cleaning the gear, wait at least 24 hours for the Tenacious Tape patch to adhere properly before washing it.

Do you wash down before patching?

Before making a patch repair, clean down and nylon gear first. Using our Revivex formulas, hardworking ski jackets, pants, and rainwear stay fresh and will continue to protect us from the elements. Read our blog to learn how to wash GORE-TEX fabrics or find out how to wash down jackets so they keep performing at their best.

How to repair a down jacket?

Here are the three steps to a solid down jacket repair job: 1. Apply an alcohol swab to the tear/hole, cleaning it of any dust, dirt or grit. Make sure you apply the swab to a greater area than your down jacket patch size. If there are any long threads from the tear, use your scissors to trim these. 2.

What is a down jacket repair kit?

A down jacket repair kit contains a few precious items that you should carry with you if on a multi-day hike. You don't want to risk grit entering your jacket, making repairing a down jacket so much harder once you get back home.

Does washing a down jacket make it last longer?

Regular washing will help your down jacket last longer and perform at its best.

Do down jackets need surgery?

Repairing a down jacket does not require any major surgery, but simply some nimble fingers, patience and a special patch to keep that precious down where it belongs: keeping you warm.

How to keep down on jacket?

To maintain an even spread of down within the jacket, start by checking the manufacturer's washing instructions. In a washing machine, this will usually include a cool wash with no fabric softener and a low spin cycle. Some jackets require hand washing, so check your label.

What causes a jacket to tear?

On the mountain or the trail, your clothing is at risk of damage. Sharp rock edges, thorny branches or even your own crampons can cause rips or tears in your jacket. Hot embers from campfires can burn small holes in the outer lining.

Why are down jackets so popular?

Down jackets are chosen for their impressive warmth-to-weight ratio. The down feather filling traps heat close to the body without bulk. These jackets are highly compressible, making them ideal for packing as a versatile layer for changing weather conditions.

How to dry a jacket without a tumble dryer?

If you are not using a tumble dryer, then put the jacket on a flat surface to air dry. Hanging it vertically will cause the wet feathers to sink down to the bottom of the garment. As your jacket dries, you should knead the clumps, using your fingers to break the feathers apart.

What is a down jacket?

Down jackets are a versatile and effective piece of clothing when you need lightweight comfort and warmth. Choose a North Face down jacketthat is tough enough to last a long time and, combined with the simple repair techniques in this guide, you can concentrate on enjoyment and performance.

Why do feathers clump together?

The light down feathers inside a jacket absorb moisture easily and are difficult to dry thoroughly. When the down gets moist, it can clump together, resulting in an uneven distribution inside the lining.

What to do before attempting your own fix?

Before attempting your own fix, consider a professional repair service. When you have invested in high-performance clothing, a quality repair will give you peace of mind on your next adventure.

How to keep puffer jackets clean?

One of the first steps to ensuring that your puffer jacket stays in good, clean condition while in storage is to wash it before putting away.

How to Keep Your Puffer Jacket in Good Condition?

For how lightweight it is in comparison to other coats, it remains thick and warm with insulation.

How to puff up a jacket without damaging down feathers?

The safest way to ensure that you puff up your jacket properly without damaging the down feathers or synthetic fibers is to immediately transfer the jacket from the washing machine to the dryer as soon as the wash cycle is finished .

What happens if a puffer jacket is not dried?

A puffer jacket that is not completely dried will begin to stink, and start to grow and smell like mildew. To ensure that your jacket is totally dry, after taking it from the dryer, you should hang the jacket somewhere warm and in direct sunlight. This way, you can be confident that your jacket is completely dried and safe from ...

Why hang a jacket upside down?

Once the jacket is done and taken from the dryer, you should hang it upside down to preserve its “loft,” or it’s puffed appearance between wears.

How to make a jacket puffy?

This puffed appearance is achieved through filling the pockets in the jacket with goose feathers, also called loft or synthetic fibers depending on the brand. Repeat laundering or mistreatment of the jacket could reduce the jacket’s puffiness, which in turn affects the warmth of the jacket.

Why do you put a coat on top of a car?

If you are taking a car ride, for example, having the coat on top means that it’s both easier to access on stops but also helps prevent the insulation from breaking down in the bag because of the pressure on it.

What does a dirty down jacket mean?

It stands for nights around the campfire, scenic belay perches. A dirty down jacket is a badge of honor. Some of us love to hold onto our beloved grungy puffies until they're nearly in tatters.

Can you replace a down jacket?

If you have had the jacket for a few seasons/years and you notice the compression is an issue and/or the dryer trick doesn’t work, it may be time to replace your jacket. Down is organic and does break down over time. Long periods of compression do accelerate this."

Can down jackets get clumpy?

Excessive washing can cause wear and tear and stress seams. Down jackets can start to compress and get clumpy after repeated stuffings in packs, bags, etc. , but a quick tumble in a dryer on low heat can fluff all that down back up.