Hah! Rich kid! Why when I was a teenager, I couldn't wash mine because it was a large padded envelope with holes torn out for my eyes. ;)

Seriously, I did have a down parka when I was living in Edmonton, Alberta, and I always sent it out for cleaning. I was always uncomfortable with putting it in a washer - I can't explain why, because I know it never bothered the ducks to be in water. Just one of life's little irrationalities.

>As a teenager in Colorado (70s), we all wore down jackets. We always washed them and then dryed them in the dryer with at least one sneaker to fluff it back up.
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>SNIP
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>>My sister-in-law said to put them in the dryer with a running shoe to keep them fluffed properly. I never had one of that quality, so I've never tried out her advice.