Redistributing the down

BGreen · 01-10-2013, 05:48 PM

We have a number of old down comforters we throw in the car whenever we go camping or even on road trips in case we break down. A couple of these are ones my mother made. The down had gotten really balled up in one small area over time. Today we had a warm spell and took all the comforters out onto the front lawn after washing them. It was so funny to see them lying all over the yard. They're finally dried, fluffed and waiting for another good road trip.

Gondor · 01-11-2013, 05:50 AM

That is one of the downsides of down

which is why I usually prefer some fleece or other synthetic alternatives. It is always a pain having to redistribute it evenly.

carmen · 01-11-2013, 10:53 AM

I fully understand where you are coming from as I have attempted sometimes with success to fix them, now mind you the blanket does not always look the best but they are warm and cozy. I have also completely removed stuffing before and refilled it which was slightly expensive but it depends where you get the supplies from.

ppine · 01-11-2013, 11:32 AM

Put the items individually in a dryer with some old tennis shoes and tumble them for awhile.

Grandpa · 01-11-2013, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppine

Put the items individually in a dryer with some old tennis shoes and tumble them for awhile.

But use a large commercial dryer so they have more room to flop around. Not enough action in the typical household dryer to do the best job. Tennis balls are also highly recommended.

ppine · 01-12-2013, 09:46 AM

Grandpa is right. I have had better success now that I think of it with commercial dryers.

ghostdog · 01-12-2013, 07:03 PM

That's why I only wash mine in summer. You don't need a dryer of any kind and don't need tennis balls. I just turn it and shake it once an hour and it is dry and fully fluffed, usually with a much higher loft than before the wash, in 5 hours.

BGreen · 01-13-2013, 03:22 PM

I took all the comforters to the laundry mat and tumbled them around a complete cycle. I didn't wash them again. This was great advice. They came out a lot fluffier. I'll remember to wash them next time in better weather.

cabinfever · 02-14-2013, 02:49 PM

I use the tennis ball trick and my regular dryer at home and they come out fine. Of course, I have heavy duty machines so that probably helps. I keep 3 clean tennis balls on the shelf in my laundry room. This also works well for fluffing up pillows after you wash them or washable quilted or puff jackets.

Pathfinder1 · 02-14-2013, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppine

Put the items individually in a dryer with some old tennis shoes and tumble them for awhile.

Hi...

How old do the tennis shoes have to be...??

sent from my iPood