Originally Posted by
Squeezebox
Technically down is washable. You do need to use the real big front loader at the laundrymat, and the right soap. It can be done. But it is certainly more of a project than synthetic.
I wash it when I get home in my own machine, using wool detergent, and hang it to dry in the shade. No problems with clumping, although my down jacket wasn't so lucky.
I don't know if I'd be keen to wash it mid-trip if I had to machine dry it, although if everything gets wet sometimes you don't have a choice. Having said that I've toured and camped in heavy rain and usually manage to keep the essentials dry.