In reply to Paul Sagar:
Never had any problems washing down jackets at home, My Rab jacket is 20 years old (proper made in Sheffield one) gets washed once a year at least and is still as lofty as new after being washed. My wife has 3 Rab jackets again they get washed at least once a year, they don't wash up as well as mine but hers are made of the much lighter neutrino fabric and the fabric is wearing a bit thin. All 3 of my kids have had Spotty Otter down parkas since the age of 4 the eldest is now 13 again no problems washing these once a year or more, they come up looking almost brand new.
1. My wife (boss of washing) uses Nikwak downwash or liquid soap. Check your washing machine capacity can handle the weight of the jacket when wet and has a suitably gentle cold wash cycle. The only way to dry the jacket is in a tumble dryer with dryer balls, tennis balls or for the plastic free option felted wool dryer balls.
2. Never used a commercial cleaner for the jackets but our down bed duvet gets washed once a year through a variety of local cleaners wherever we have lived in the UK and never had any problems. If they can handle a 13tog king size duvet a jacket will be easy for them.
3. the only way to remove the smell is to wash it, don't be afraid, you will be amazed at how much better your jacket lofts after a proper wash and dry.
Post edited at 12:20