After 3 years of frequent use I think its time to get the thing cleaned.
noticed that the arms in particular are a bit 'flat' with the down obviously compressed.
Will the cleaning process 'plump' all the down up (!)?
Or will it need re-stuffing?
Cheers
dirt and sweat and grime and stuff clump the down together and reduce the fill. Cleaning that out lets it all flump up again.
I need to get this done to my jacket. there's a speacialist firm somewhere up north that does it. If I find it before someone else does, I'll post a link up.
Shanklins - luckily just round the corner!
Lol, nope -Franklins! 0114 268 6161
Not knowing immediately what 'Rab' was that confused the beejesus out of me! Thought it was the latest dropper seat post or something, almost thought I needed one
almost thought I needed one
You do need one! Everyone needs at least one Rab jacket in their life!
pull back the.......... what were you wanting cleaned again?
It's easy to do it yourself with some decent down cleaner in the bath. It's drying you need to be careful with. Best to use an industrial laundrette style tumble dryer on the lowest possible heat.
that place in sheffield.
or a wipe down with a damp cloth and hang outside.
been doing this with my rab jacket for 15 years, down still holds it's loft.
http://rab.uk.com/care_+_repair/care_for_down_filled_products/
You can DIY clean it, but drying without the down clumping together can be problematic. Recently had my tired Rab Premier 900 sleeping bag cleaned by Franklins with amazing results - massively improved loft, actually better than it was when new.
Franklins is where it's at. Will come back transformed.
I sent my sleeping bag up to Franklins a few years ago. I thought it needed re-stuffing as there just didn't seem to be any down over the chest anymore. I called them to ask about it and they told me to wait until it was cleaned- it came back absolutely as good as new, and pretty quickly too.
What you need is some pure soap flakes. Detergent soap (normal washing powder) is wrong and damages the feathers. No more than 30ºC. No fabric conditioner or wot, and make sure yer soap drawer is clean of any powder residue.
Once washed and spun, take it down to a local launderette, with they big tumble driers. Medium heat. It'll need about £3-4 to dry it thoroughly. Bung a couple of tennis balls in; they will bounce about in the drier, and help fluff up the down once more.
Done this several times to my 15-year old Rab down jacket, and although it's a little past it's best now, it still keeps me warm even when it's proper cold.
I think it was Nikwax do a 'Down Wash' solution, but it's very expensive and is essentially just liquid non-detergent soap. Rip off really. If you can find something similar but cheaper, then go for it.
Nikwax also did a 'Down Proof' waterproofing solution, which was effective for a couple of showers, but then seemed to lose effectiveness. TBh, if it's warm enough for rain, you shouldn't really need a down jacket. Snow shouldn't really 'soak' the jacket, but brush it off as much as you can.
Look after a Rab, and it'll look after you. When this one dies, it will be replaced with another. Top quality product. Made in England, too! 
Look after a Rab, and it'll look after you. When this one dies, it will be replaced with another. Top quality product. Made in England, too!
Not any more. Made in England that is. Although some of their top-end bags and jackets are still filled here.
always just chucked my TNF Nuptse in the washing machine with a bit of Daz or whatever's to hand and then straight in the tumble dryer with a load of tennis balls. Must be 10-12 year old now and it still fluffs up well. Stays compressed in its stow pocket during the summer months as well.
Zips bust on mine - the poppers are still there but I would like the zip fixed... any suggestions as it looks tricky as there is not much room to replace it?
My Rab was filthy, I think it had 10 years of assorted chalk, crag and race site dirt on/in it. Franklins in Sheffield did an amazing job, I didn't recongise it when it came back, it was so puffed up and the shell really soft.
i just took my 14yr old rab jacket to the local dry cleaners. Asked them if they could do down jackets and they said yeah they get a lot in. They put it through a special delicate wash and dry, cost £6.50 and restored to as good as new 
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