HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR DOWN COAT

Yes, you should clean your down coat at the end of the winter season, if possible. Cleaning plays a crucial role in optimizing a down coat’s performance and extending its life cycle. The reason Quartz Co.’s down coats are so warm is that the structure of the down traps warm air. This air acts as an isolation barrier between the wearer and the cold outdoor environment, allowing them to better retain their own body heat to keep warm. 

However, for down to retain its warmth, it needs to be kept as dry and lofted as possible. Over time and wear, down becomes compacted and loses its ability to fully loft, which minimizes its ability to retain heat. A proper cleaning restores the down’s loft and your coat’s cold-weather performance abilities. 

Additionally, all Quartz Co. down coats are coated with a C6 durable water repellent (DWR), which provides them with their water-repellent capabilities. Like the coat’s down insulation, this water-repellent coating also needs to be cleaned to maintain its peak performance. The accumulation of dirt caused by pollution and dirty surfaces can impact a coat’s water-repelling power. A proper cleaning can restore the coat’s performance, keeping you warm and dry for the coming winter season.  

Quartz Co.’s down coats are engineered to maintain 90% of their water-repellency after up to 10 washes. If your down coat needs re-proofing, we recommend using Grangers products.

As with most specialty garments, down coats require extra care in regard to cleaning, drying, and storage. Luckily, Quartz Co. down coats can be easily machine washed at home. We strongly discourage dry cleaning down products. However, if you have to turn to a professional to wash your coat, we recommend bringing your coat to an environmentally-conscious dry cleaner that has experience washing down coats.

Quartz Co. would like to note that down jackets in the colors ivory and oatmeal require special care when cleaning. Please get your ivory or oatmeal jackets cleaned locally, or sent to a specialist cleaner, to ensure they last a lifetime in their proper color.

STEP 1 – LOCAL WASH
After fastening the jacket’s zippers and snaps, and removing its fur trim (if applicable), rub the most noticeable stains with a stain remover as needed. Avoid stain removers with bleaching agents.

STEP 2 – LOW TEMPERATURE WASH
Wash the jacket (alone) at a low temperature, using a short and/or delicate cycle. We highly recommend using a cleaner designed for down, such as Grangers.*Washing on low temperatures helps to preserve the color and the qualities of the jacket.
*The use of a cleaner designed for down prevents the accumulation of undissolved detergent.

STEP 3 – ADDITIONAL RINSE
After the initial wash cycle, you could rinse the jacket again without detergent. An additional rinse cycle ensures that all the detergent has been completely removed from the down. Leftover detergent can reduce the down’s filling power.

STEP 4 – TUMBLE DRY
Tumble dry on low heat using dryer balls or tennis balls. It is possible to use medium temperature drying if your dryer offers this option. Avoid the 'air fluff' option without heat.
Repeat this step at least twice or until the jacket is completely dry.
*Even if the exterior of your jacket feels dry to the touch after the first drying cycle, the down may remain damp. We recommend at least two drying cycles to ensure the down is completely dry and able to regain its full loft.
*Dryer balls help to distribute the down during drying to prevent clumping.

SPECIAL NOTICES

*Never use bleach or iron your down jacket.
*We strongly advise against dry cleaning. However, if you choose to dry clean, we recommend entrusting your jacket to a cleaner specialized in down jacket care and environmentally friendly practices.
*We strongly advise tumble drying for optimal results. Air drying is not recommended, especially for heavier down jackets. If you have to opt for air drying, lay your jacket flat on a drying rack, but you will need to regularly shake and turn it to separate and distribute the down as it dries. This will prevent clumping! Let it dry it in a dry place at room temperature (do not place the jacket on a radiator or other intense heat sources like a fireplace...).
*If your jacket needs repair, we strongly recommend doing so before washing to prevent pre-existing damage from worsening.

The process is the same as for our down coats. For non-insulated or synthetically insulated lightweight jackets, follow the same steps, only the drying will be faster.

Down coats are seasonal winter garments and, as such, should be stored properly during the summer months. We recommend washing your down coat following the appropriate method prior to storage. Once your down coat is completely dry, place it on a hanger and store it away from direct sunlight.

Your down coat carries you throughout all of your winter activities and, as a result, is prone to regular wear-and-tear. Having your down coat repaired is essential to extending its life cycle, so you can continue wearing it season after season.  

At Quartz Co., we offer our clients a convenient repair service for any damage not covered by our warranty. By repairing rather than discarding worn or damaged garments, we’re partnering with our clients to forge a more sustainable way of consuming by extending the life cycle of garments and reducing clothing waste. 

For any repair requests please click here