Potatoes can mimic the effect of a tennis ball, acting as a weight inside the washing machine drum. As the drum spins, the potatoes help break up clumps of down during the spin cycle.
To effectively wash a down jacket while preserving its quality, follow these steps:
Zip up all zippers, buttons, and fasteners to protect the jacket during washing.
Select one or two potatoes. Clean them thoroughly and wrap them in a clean cotton cloth or place them in a sock to prevent staining the jacket.
Use a delicate wash cycle with water no hotter than 30 °C.
Choose a liquid detergent specifically designed for delicate fabrics to avoid damage.
Spin the jacket at the lowest speed to prevent excessive compression of the down.
Dry it lying flat, periodically fluffing and shaking to evenly distribute the down.