Caring for and Washing Parajumpers (Fur Included)

Well looked after, a Parajumpers piece will last for years without losing its warmth or its good looks. But between the down, the technical shell and the fur, these pieces need the right care: the wrong wash can flatten the down, damage the water repellency or ruin the fur. Here is the complete guide to washing, drying, caring for and storing your Parajumpers — fur included.

Before washing: check the label and remove the fur

This is the essential first step. Always start by reading the care label sewn into the garment: the recommended wash varies according to the model, the material and the filling. If the washing symbol is crossed out, the piece must be dry-cleaned. Then, before any wash:

• Remove all detachable accessories, especially the fur on the hood, and put them somewhere safe.
• If your piece has a removable lining, wash the two parts separately.
• Always wash your Parajumpers on its own: some colours may run.

Washing your Parajumpers

If the label allows machine washing, wash the piece at 30°C on a delicate cycle. A few essential rules:

• Use a mild or down-specific detergent. Avoid fabric softener at all costs, as it damages the down, and rinse thoroughly.
• Do not use the 'Eco' mode (which uses less water): it is not suitable for padded pieces.
• Avoid harsh stain removers. For a grease stain, pre-treat the area with a little washing-up liquid, then wash as normal.
• Avoid soaking the shell or scrubbing it vigorously.

Good to know: the faux-leather pieces at the ends of the zips are not harmed by washing in water.

Drying your Parajumpers: the key step

Drying is the step on which everything depends for the down. At the end of the cycle, spin the piece thoroughly (twice if necessary) to remove as much water as possible. Then you have two options:

• Drying flat: lay the piece flat in a warm room or outdoors in the shade, and fluff up the down regularly by patting it gently so that it doesn't dry in clumps. Avoid direct sunlight, which causes fading.
• Tumble dryer: this is the easiest way to restore loft. Set it to a low temperature and add two or three clean tennis balls, which break up the clumps of down. Crucially, take the piece out as soon as the cycle ends — fabric left against the hot drum may shrink.

Make sure the down is 100% dry before putting the piece away: shake it well and let it finish drying on a hanger in a well-ventilated place. Down that is still damp can go mouldy and lose its loft.

Caring for the fur

The fur (real coyote fur on many models) needs special care — it must never be machine-washed. Here is what to do:

• Detach the fur from the hood before washing the coat. If your model has no fastening that allows the fur to be removed, have the piece dry-cleaned.
• Wash the fur by hand, in lukewarm water, without soap, then hang it up to air-dry.
• To keep it thick and supple, you can dry it briefly with a hairdryer on a low setting, holding the dryer well away.
• Once dry, shake it and comb it gently with a soft brush to restore its volume.

Avoid strong heat and direct sunlight, which dry out and dull the fur. The quality of this fur is also one of the checkpoints detailed in our guide to recognising genuine Parajumpers.

Maintaining the water repellency

Over time and with repeated washing, the shell's water-repellent treatment can fade (water beads less on the surface). A cycle in the tumble dryer at a low temperature often helps to reactivate this treatment. If the water repellency is still insufficient, you can apply a water-repellent proofing spray designed for technical garments, following the product's instructions.

Storing your Parajumpers properly

Storage, especially out of season, extends the life of the piece. A few principles:

• Store it clean: traces of dirt, sweat and grease damage fabrics over time.
• Air it on a wide hanger, in a dry place away from light, then cover it with a breathable garment bag to protect it from dust.
• Don't compress the piece into too small a space: this crushes the down for good.
• If you have to store it in a confined space, remove the fur and store it separately so that it doesn't get flattened.

After a long period in storage, a cycle in the tumble dryer at a low temperature with tennis balls restores the down's full loft.

Mistakes to avoid

To sum up the missteps that damage a Parajumpers piece:

• Washing the fur in the machine or leaving it on the coat during the wash.
• Using fabric softener or a harsh stain remover.
• Drying at a high temperature or leaving the piece against a hot drum (risk of shrinkage).
• Drying in direct sunlight (fading).
• Storing the piece damp or compressing it for long periods.
• Washing without reading the model's care label.

Care that preserves value

Beyond appearance, care has a direct impact on a piece's resale value: lofty down and an immaculate shell make all the difference. We go into this in detail in our article on Parajumpers market value and resale, and it is also what savvy buyers check when buying pre-owned.

Need advice? NB08 is here to help

At NB08, every Parajumpers piece is selected and checked by our team, new and pre-owned alike. A question about caring for your piece? Don't hesitate to contact us. Also discover our Parajumpers down jackets, our jackets and our full Parajumpers collection, every piece authenticated.

In summary

Caring for a Parajumpers comes down to a few simple reflexes: always read the label, remove the fur before washing, wash at 30°C on a delicate cycle with a mild detergent and no fabric softener, then dry flat or in the tumble dryer at a low temperature with tennis balls. Wash the fur by hand, in lukewarm water and without soap, and store the piece clean, dry and uncompressed. With this care, your Parajumpers will keep its warmth and its good looks year after year.