How do you wash a down jacket?

Winter outings bring plenty of discoveries for our little explorers, putting their Bonton down jacket to the test. Gentle care is key to helping your kids return to the comfort of a cosy cocoon after every adventure. At Bonton, we put all our creative know-how into designing iconic styles that combine urban style with optimal protection. Whether your child wears our famous Meli Boy down jacket in Raw Blue, our sleeveless down jackets in Blossom Pink or Nordic Blue  or our down jackets Moove Iridescent Pink, Husky Navy Blue or Light Pink… every piece deserves special care. 

But a kid's life is full of spontaneous adventures. A chocolate stain at snack time, a tumble on frosty grass in the park or simply the passage of time can dull the beauty of these treasured pieces. How do you wash a down jacket without losing its loft? How do you protect the materials in the Bonton wardrobe? Follow our guide to easy, effective care, in the true spirit of the Maison.  

The secret to caring for each style

A tip from our Studio: Every Bonton creation is unique. Before starting any care routine, we invite you to read the care label sewn inside carefully. It contains instructions specific to your piece to help preserve its look and softness season after season. 

Natural Down and Feathers 

Used in our warmest styles, such as the Husky light pink down jacket and Husky navy down jacket, or our parkas for extreme cold, down and feathers offer natural, unrivalled thermal insulation. This filling gives them their cloud-like look and lightness. Down is a natural material that needs air to retain its insulating properties. That's the secret behind the comfort of our styles designed for the coldest days. 

High-Performance Technical Wadding  

For our lighter or reversible styles, such as the sleeveless down jacket Wof navy blue, we use high-quality synthetic wadding. It perfectly mimics the loft of down while offering greater resistance to moisture and easy care, ideal for the busy everyday lives of kids up to 12 years old. 

The Signature Details

Pay special attention to the finishing touches that define Bonton style: the engraved popper buttons, the colourful zips on our vibrant down jackets Mini Flotte Blossom Pink and Meli Girl Silver, the star-printed linings on the Matelot down jacket and our water-repellent fabrics. These details need careful handling to preserve their beauty and functionality. 

Planning Ahead: Waterproofing, the Invisible Shield

You might not think of it before the first wash, but waterproofing extends the life of a coat. Our fabrics receive a water-repellent treatment in the workshop, but over time and with friction (from a school backpack or pushchair harness), this protection can wear off. 

Bonton's tip: Apply a waterproofing spray (without silicone) to your clean, dry down jacket. Spray evenly from about 20 cm away. This stops water from penetrating and creates a barrier against mud and snack-time stains. A waterproofed garment stays clean for longer! 

The Preparation Ritual: Every Detail Counts 

Don't put a reversible down jacket or a Bonton parka in the washing machine without preparing it carefully first.

- Empty the pockets: Kids collect treasures (pebbles, fairground tickets, little toys). Check the pockets carefully to avoid tearing the lining. 

- Protect the accessories: Always remove the fur trim using the poppers (it's detachable on most of our styles). Fur should never be washed in water. 

- Fasten to protect: Zip up the zips and fasten the poppers. This stops the metal from catching on the fabric during washing. 

- Turn the garment inside out: Always wash it inside out to protect the vibrancy of our iconic colours.

The Worry-Free Option: Why Choose a Dry Cleaner? 

For our bulkier styles or those adorned with delicate details, a professional cleaner remains an excellent option. Professional cleaning ensures the down in your down jacket doesn't clump together. It's the "stress-free" option for busy parents. We recommend professional cleaning at least once a year, when the seasons change. 

Washing at Home: The Art of Gentle Care
If you prefer to care for your down jacket at home, the golden rule is to use a low temperature. 

Choosing the Detergent
Use a liquid detergent for delicates. Avoid fabric softener : it coats the feathers and fibres, making them lose their precious loft. 

The Ideal Programme
Use a "Wool" or "Delicates" cycle at 20°C or 30°C maximum. Water that's too hot is the enemy of technical fibres.  

The Tennis Ball Trick
Place two clean tennis balls in the drum. They'll "beat" the down jacket during washing to stop the filling from clumping together. 

The "Feather-Light" Spin
Choose a gentle spin at 600 rpm. A faster spin (over 800 rpm) could break the feathers or strain the seams. 

 

 

 

Drying: Restoring the Loft

This is the crucial step. Forget drying on a hanger or radiator: the feathers would dry in clumps and lose their insulating warmth. 

The secret? Tumble-drying on a low heat. Choose the "Delicates" setting (40–50°C maximum). With the two tennis balls, the movement will restore the down's full loft. Take the down jacket out every 30 minutes and give it a vigorous shake. Once dry, it should be as light as a cloud. 

Seasonal Storage: Preparing the Wardrobe for Warmer Days

When spring arrives, prepare for storage 

Clean before storing: Never put away a dirty garment. Small stains can become permanently set over time. 

Choosing a cover: Avoid airtight plastic! Down needs to breathe. Use a cotton cover or a canvas bag. 

Don't compress it : Hang the down jacket with room between it and other clothes so the fibres aren't crushed. 

Natural protection : A sachet of cedar or lavender in the wardrobe will protect natural fabrics while leaving a fresh perfume. 

Mistakes to Avoid: A Quick Reminder 

Never iron: The heat would melt the technical fabrics. 

Drying on a hanger: Wet down is heavy and would sink to the bottom of the coat. 

A hot radiator: It risks causing irreparable damage to the outer fabric. 

Putting it away too soon: Always wait 24 hours after drying to make sure no moisture remains.