You can use wool dryer balls, a bundle of tightly rolled clean socks, or a pair of dry, clean canvas sneakers in place of tennis balls. These alternatives tumble inside the dryer to physically separate, fluff, and redistribute the down, preventing the feathers from clumping into wet clusters.
Traditionally, people have used tennis balls in the tumble dryer to help break up clumps in down jackets, but wool dryer balls are a far superior alternative. Here's why: Naturally Gentle – Unlike synthetic tennis balls, wool dryer balls won't release chemicals or dyes onto your jacket.
Use clean wool dryer balls, spiky plastic laundry balls, or balled-up clean socks to dry your down jacket. These items agitate the feathers and break up clumps as they dry, restoring the jacket’s loft without leaving the rubber smell or dye of a tennis ball.
To fluff up a puffer jacket without tennis balls, use the dryer with a few balled-up clean socks, or manually massage the clumps. Tumble dry the jacket on a no-heat or air-fluff setting for 15-20 minute intervals, stopping frequently to shake it out.
You can easily substitute tennis balls with household items like balled-up aluminum foil, clean lightweight sneakers, or tightly rolled-up towels. These alternatives help agitate clothes and fluff up bulky items like down comforters and pillows.
Instead, most Amish families rely on clotheslines in the summer — and they still work in the winter, Williams said. According to appliance company Speed Queen, "Drying on a line in winter is actually a form of freeze-drying thanks to sublimation — or ice evaporating from a solid state.
A safer alternative to tennis balls are rubber balls made from non-toxic durable materials. Some great options include Plyology, Kong, Chuck It, and Paws for Life Balls. Keep fetch sessions short and focus on underhand throws and rolling the ball to reduce the strain on your dog's joints.
The damp down will be clumpy from the wash, and completely drying it is critical. Use a low heat setting and toss one or two clean tennis balls in the dryer to break up the clumps. Be patient—drying the jacket may take one to three hours. Keep resetting the timer until your beloveds are lump-free and fully dry.
Machine Wash Your Waterproof North Face Jacket
To restore loft and warmth to a deflated down jacket, the absolute best method is the tumble dry technique. Moisture causes down to clump, so a combination of gentle heat, tumbling, and agitation will separate the feathers and trap air to make the jacket puffy again.
If you do not have any dryer, or you simply prefer the air drying, it is possible. To do so, we recommend you lay it flat on a towel in a warm area, but out of the direct sunlight. It is better that you choose a well-ventilated area, like a shady spot outdoor or an indoor area such as a laundry, for example.
If you've ever wondered what to do with wool sweaters or socks that are stained or past the point of repair, we have an idea. Unravel them and use the wool to make dryer balls!
With normal use and proper care, a good puffer jacket should stay puffy for several years. Here's what you can expect: High-Quality Down Jacket: If you have a down-filled jacket and you take good care of it, it can stay puffy for up to 5–10 years.
Drying a down jacket correctly
Dryer ball alternatives depend on what you want to achieve. If you need to fluff your laundry and reduce drying time, try a dry towel or aluminum foil balls. To soften fabrics and stop static cling, use distilled white vinegar in your wash cycle instead.
If your down jacket is shedding a lot and looks a bit limp, put it in your dryer with a few tennis balls. Use the lowest heat setting and let it run for just a few minutes. The heat expands and fluffs the feathers so they're less likely to leak. Sew a second lining into your jacket for a permanent solution.
To fluff up a puffer jacket without tennis balls, use the dryer with a few balled-up clean socks, or manually massage the clumps. Tumble dry the jacket on a no-heat or air-fluff setting for 15-20 minute intervals, stopping frequently to shake it out.
To dry a North Face puffer jacket, tumble dry it on low heat with 3 clean tennis or wool dryer balls. Dry in short 15-20 minute intervals, removing the jacket each time to thoroughly shake and break up any down clumps.
North Face puffers can handle light snow or a quick drizzle, but they are not fully waterproof. Their outer shells are treated with a DWR (Durable Water-Repellent) finish to make water bead off, but prolonged heavy rain will saturate the fabric, compromising the jacket's insulation.
A towel: Choose one large enough that you can roll your jacket up into it, so you can squeeze out excess water and speed up your drying time. Drying rack: You can finish up your jacket in the dryer, but air-drying at least part of the way helps your jacket last longer.
Down and Water: A Problematic Pairing
The short answer to whether down jackets can get wet is yes, they can—but they shouldn't. The main issue lies in the inherent nature of down itself. When down gets wet, the feathers clump together, losing their loft—the fluffiness that allows for the trapping of heat.
It takes 2 to 3 hours in a tumble dryer (using low heat), or up to 24 to 48 hours when air drying, to completely dry a down jacket.
Use clean wool dryer balls, spiky plastic laundry balls, or balled-up clean socks to dry your down jacket. These items agitate the feathers and break up clumps as they dry, restoring the jacket’s loft without leaving the rubber smell or dye of a tennis ball.
How to Make Wool Dryer Balls in 5 Minutes (Or Less)
First, take two tennis balls and put them in a sock. Then, take that sock, put it in the middle of your back. Next, she says to dig in which helps to break loose the middle of your back which gets super tight as you're stuck sitting on a long trip.