One of the warmest and most popular types of jackets that both men and women want these days is the down jacket. These winter garments offer a unique mix of cozy warmth, plush comfort, and dazzling style that you won't find in the typical fleece pullovers or thick wool sweaters. If it's warmth and comfort you want, give one of these jackets a try.The modern down jackets come in a full range of styles, and they don't all have that bulky look that you might expect in such a warm piece of clothing. Down-filled winter coats come in a number of styles and are the top outerwear preference for many people, as they're more lightweight than the standard puffer jacket.
Also gone are the cliched designs and colors of down outerwear. Stores now carry lines of patterned jackets in vivid colors like pink, blue and green, along with the standard black and tan looks that many people favor. You can buy a fur-lined parka-style down coat, or a hoodless jacket, if you don't want your head covered.
But of course, down jackets require a special type of care that isn't necessary for other types of sweaters and coats. It takes some time and effort to properly wash a one of these jackets so that you don't damage it, but the warmth and comfort of down is well worth all the trouble.
To properly clean down, you must use a washing machine that has no center device for rotating clothes, as this can damage or ruin your jacket. You may need to go to a laundromat to find a machine without the center rod, if your machine at home doesn't fit the bill.
After washing, soak up any excess water from your jacket with a towel, then put the jacket in the dryer for only five minutes, on a medium setting. When the drying is finished, take it out of the machine and place it on a clean flat surface, and fluff the down in the coat by plucking at it. Then put it in the dryer for 10 more minutes, lay it out and fluff it again, and repeat this process until the jacket is completely dry.
