Living in the northeast, my family owns many puffer jackets, and we wear them frequently throughout the long and cold winter months. But one of the main issues that we often encounter is how long it takes to dry these jackets. While there is no definitive answer to this question, I have put together some helpful tips and tricks to help you understand more about caring for your puffer jacket and how long it may take to dry.
What Materials Are Puffer Jackets Made of?
One of the first things you will want to consider when caring for your puffer jacket is what materials they made it out of. They typically make puffer jackets from down or synthetic materials, with variations between brands and styles.
Down jackets are incredibly warm and lightweight, but they can take a long time to dry after getting wet. Brands usually make synthetic jackets from materials like polyester and nylon that dry relatively quickly.
How Are Puffer Jackets Made?
I admit I was curious. Here’s the process:
1. They cut the fabric into long strips that will eventually form the channels of the quilted design.
2. Two pieces of fabric are placed right sides together and sewn along both long sides and one short side, leaving an opening at the end.
3. The tube that has been created is then turned right side out and pressed flat.
4. Channels are quilted into the fabric, typically using a walking foot on a sewing machine.
5. Once the quilting is complete, they sew the open end shut.
6. The jacket is ready to be filled with down or synthetic material, and construction is finished.
It’s a pretty complex process that leaves room for error. There are some variations in the process, such as using an adhesive instead of stitches to hold the channels.
Why Choose a Puffer Jacket?
Before we dive into how long it takes a puffer jacket to dry, let’s take a moment to consider why these jackets are so popular.
Puffer jackets are usually quite affordable, and they offer warmth and water resistance for practically any climate or weather condition. They are also very durable and can withstand wear and tear, making them an excellent choice for daily use.
What Factors Affect Drying Time?
Several factors can affect how long your puffer jacket is to dry after getting wet. These include water temperature, ambient air temperature, and humidity.
It will take longer for your jacket to dry in colder temperatures and higher humidity levels. Coats made of down or another natural material can take longer to dry than synthetic jackets.
The amount of stuffing or the fill power rating of your jacket can also affect how long it takes to dry completely. They stuffed some puffer jackets with a lower density of down, which means they will take longer to dry than a jacket with a higher fill power rating.
Best Activities for Puffer Jackets
My family found that some activities are more likely to cause your puffer jacket to get wet than others. If you plan on doing any activities in the snow or rain, it is good to wear a waterproof outer layer over your puffer jacket to help keep it dry.
There’s no way to make a puffer jacket completely waterproof, but adding an outer layer can help reduce the risk of getting your puffer wet. Some brands may advertise their jackets as waterproof, but it is still good to add an outer layer if you are in extremely wet conditions.
However, I’m persistent and found some excellent water-resistant puffer jackets. These help on days it rains or snows. While it won’t help for activities like skiing or snowboarding, it is a great way to keep your puffer jacket drier on days when the weather is more unpredictable.
When doing strenuous activities that will cause you to sweat, you may consider a synthetic puffer jacket, as these will dry more quickly than down jackets.
How to Wash a Puffer Jacket
One of the best ways to care for your puffer jacket is to wash it as necessary, especially if you are wearing it frequently. Use a mild detergent and cold or warm water to clean your puffer jacket.
You can wash by hand or on delicate in the washer using cold water. If you notice any stains on your jacket, you will want to treat them as soon as possible. Use a spot remover and rub it gently into the stain before washing your coat.
Avoid bleach or harsh detergents, which can damage the material. Make sure that you remove all the detergents from the jacket after washing to avoid any irritation or discomfort.
How to Dry Your Puffer Jacket
Once your puffer jacket gets wet, you can do a few things to help it dry more quickly. First, if possible, remove any wet items from the pockets of your jacket and hang them up to dry separately.
If you have a front-loading washing machine, you can run the coat through a cycle on the delicate setting to help it dry faster because the shorter wash time will mean less time in the water.
Always lie the jacket flat or hang it up to dry, as this will help prevent any sagging or wrinkling in the fabric. It may also lead to clumping in down jackets, reducing their warmth and making them look unsightly.
Shake it every two hours until it’s dry to help puff it out.
How Can I Speed Up the Drying Process?
There are a few things you can do to speed up the drying process of your puffer jacket. One option is to put it in the dryer on a low heat setting, although this can damage some materials like down. Another option is to use a fan or hair dryer to help circulate the air around the jacket and speed up the drying process.
Never use high heat directly on your jacket, as this may cause it to shrink or become damaged.
Most brands recommend keeping puffer jackets out of the dryer. If you put your coat in the dryer, use a low heat setting and remove it as soon as possible to avoid any damage. Place two to three tennis balls in the dryer to help fluff the jacket and keep it from clumping.
How to Store Your Puffer Jacket?
We use our puffer jackets three out of four seasons. That means t’s not in use for about three or four months of the year. We store them in a breathable garment bag or a well-ventilated closet during this time. This helps keep mold and mildew away, damaging the material.
The best way to store your puffer jacket is to minimize its exposure to light while it’s not in use. If you want to hang it up, try placing it in an area that gets some light but isn’t exposed directly to the sun. This can help prevent fading.
Overall, taking good care of your puffer jacket will help extend its lifespan and reduce the risk of regular wear and tear damage. Be sure to wash it regularly, store it properly when not in use, and don’t forget to add an outer layer when you know you’ll be in very wet conditions!