Washing The North Face Nupste Puffer

To answer one of our most frequently asked questions in-store, there are several ways to effectively clean your puffer jacket!  Here are some of  the best techniques:

Washing

Method 1: Washing Machine

Step 1: Preparation and Excess Removal

Empty all pockets and detach any additional items like keychains or badges from the jacket.

Step 2: Check Care Labels

Refer to the care label inside your jacket to confirm its suitability for machine washing. The label should specify the recommended temperature and settings. If machine washing is not advised, don't worry; we have an alternative method!

Step 3: Cold Water Gentle Cycle

Ensure the jacket is safe for machine washing. Select a gentle cycle similar to what you'd use for wool and opt for low heat. Cold water is essential for keeping the feathers lovely and fluffy!  Hot water damages the feathers, causing them to clump. Skip the spin cycle as this may also damage the puffer.

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Method 2: Hand Washing

If machine washing isn't suitable, follow these steps for hand washing.

Step 1: Preparation and Excess Removal

Prepare the jacket by emptying pockets and removing accessories.

Step 2: Warm Water Soak

Fill a bathtub or sink with warm water (not hot) and add a down cleaner like 'NIKWAX DOWN PROOF.' Soak the jacket for up to an hour.

Step 3: Kneading and Wringing

Remove the jacket from the solution. Gently knead and then squeeze out water evenly. When wringing, apply some force to prevent feather clumping.

Drying

Method 1: Using a Dryer

Step 1: Isolation in Dryer

Ensure most water is drained from the jacket. Place it alone in the dryer to avoid compression.

Step 2: Low Heat and Tennis Balls

Select the lowest heat setting and add three tennis balls to break up clumps during drying. Set a 30-minute timer.

Step 3: Break Apart Clumps

Massage the jacket to break apart clumps every 30 minutes, as the tennis balls won’t break 100% of them down! Repeat this process until completely dry. 

Method 2: Air-Drying

Step 1: Hang in a dry area for effective air-drying e.g. the hotpress. Avoid excessively moist environments to prevent odor.

Step 2: Fluffing

Shake and massage the jacket every 30 minutes during roughly 5 hours of drying. Ensure no moisture remains!

By following these methods, you can wash and dry your puffer jacket effectively, maintaining its fluffy feathers and quality insulation!