How to Flatten a Down Coat That Is Too Puffy

Down winter coats are coats that have been filled with down feathers to keep them insulated against the winter cold. The feathers trap air in small pockets between them, insulating the inner layer of the jacket the same way that down feathers insulated the birds from which they came. As a result of all of the trapped air, down winter coats can appear to be rather puffy. If you dislike the bulk added by the puffiness of the down feathers, it is possible to flatten out the down coat.

Instructions

1 Place the puffy down coat into a plastic packing bag that can be vacuum sealed.

2 Place the nozzle of the vacuum into the sealing cap and vacuum seal the bag. If you do not have a vacuum, you can sit on the bag and push the air out of the bag from one end to the other. Seal the cap once the air has been removed.

3 Leave the sealed bag and puffy coat for two days. Remove the coat. The down feathers will have been pushed together from the vacuum sealing, making them less puffy.

Tips & Warnings

Down feather jackets are designed to be puffy to allow air pockets to form between the feathers. This acts as insulation, keeping the cold air out. By making the coat less puffy, you may also make it less warm.