7 Ways You're Doing Laundry Wrong

The secret to washing down items correctly: an extra rinse cycle! Residual detergent in the feathers can reduce down's ability to be fluffy and trap air, which is how it holds heat, says Gagliardi. Part of the problem is that when you wash a coat or comforter, the down gets wet and clumpy and the weight doesn't distribute evenly, making it hard for your machine to rinse and spin effectively. She recommends taking your down items to a Laundromat and washing them in a large-capacity washer. Then, dry items completely with a clean tennis ball.