A lot of people prefer fleece jackets because they provide incredible warmth and because they are fashionably versatile.
You can wear fleece jackets with other jackets. They allow the free flow of air, giving out an amazingly cozy feeling when you wear them.
Fleece, however, is a very fragile fabric that can get easily pilled or damaged if you don’t treat them properly.
This article will show the best way to wash your fleece jacket without damaging its fabric.
How to Wash a Fleece Jacket
There are two ways to wash fleece jackets, and you can either wash them by hand or by machine.
Hand washing is more stressful but more recommended because this method protects the Fleece fabric more.
However, using a washing machine is still perfectly safe, provided you follow the fabric care instructions and take special precautions.
How to Hand Wash Your Fleece Jackets
Some fleece jackets require hand washing due to the type of fabric or the unstable dyes used to produce them. These types of fleece jackets can be recognized by reading the fabric care label.
If the instructions on the label of your jacket say explicitly ‘hand wash,’ avoid putting your jacket in a washing machine to avoid any damage.
To successfully hand wash your jacket, you will need the following materials:
- A sink or tub
- A soft bristle brush
- A mild laundry detergent
- A sturdy Hanger
- A clothesline or drying rack
Once you get the above materials, you can hand wash your jacket using the following steps:
Step One: Fill the Tub or Sink With Cold Water
Always use cold water to wash fleece jackets. Fill the tub or sink three-quarters full with cold water so the jacket can be completely soaked up.
Step Two: Add Your Mild Detergent to the Water
Add the detergent to the cold water and mix them thoroughly until they are evenly mixed and there are no soap residues.
You can typically use about 2 Oz. of powdered detergent for each tub full of water. Avoid using too much detergent.
Step Three: Soak the Jacket in the Soap Mixture
Place the jacket into the soapy solution and submerge it completely. Use the soft bristle brush gently scrub against the jacket in small circular motions.
Make sure you scrub every part of the jacket until you deal with every dirt or stain.
Step Four: Rinse the Jacket under Clean Running Water
Remove the jacket from the soapy mixture and drain the tub or sink. Place the jacket under running water to wipe the jacket off every soap or debris from washing.
Once the jacket stops dripping soap suds or bubbles, it is now wholly rinsed. Immerse the jacket again in clean water and wring any extra water.
Step Five: Drain Excess Water by Air Drying
It would be best if you always dried your jacket by air drying. Putting a fleece jacket in the dryer will cause pilling, which will ruin the look of your jacket.
Place the jacket on a sturdy hanger on a drying rack outside. You can also place the jacket in your bathroom, and the jacket should be dry in about two hours.
How to Wash Your Fleece Jacket Using A Washing Machine
If there is no specific instruction to hand wash your jacket on your fabric care label, you can wash using a machine.
To do this successfully, you will need the following materials:
- A washing machine
- A mild laundry detergent
- Baking soda
- A sturdy hanger
- Enzyme based Stain remover
- A clothesline or drying rack
Note: A front loader washing machine is the best choice since it doesn’t contain a central agitator.
Machines with central agitators tend to exert more force on fabrics and damage them more easily. Machines without central agitators are gentler on clothes.
Follow the steps below to wash your jacket using a washing machine:
Step One: Pretreat Stains on Your Jacket
Before placing your jacket into your washing machine, ensure you pretreat stains on them for a more effective wash.
Spread the jacket on a flat surface. Add a dab of an enzyme-based stain remover to a clean piece of white microfiber cloth.
Rub the cloth on the stained parts of the jacket to help lift the stain. Make sure to rub gently against all stained areas.
Wait for ten minutes before putting the jacket in a washer; this should help the stain remover penetrate the jacket and lift the stain.
Also, apply the stain remover on sweat-prone areas such as the collars and cuffs. Keep changing the part of the cloth if it becomes stained.
Step Two: Place the Washing Machine in the Right Setting
Fill the tub of the washing machine with cold or warm water. Do not use hot water to wash fleece jackets.
Set the machine to the proper cycle. Use a gentle cycle if the stains on the jacket are mild, but use the permanent press cycle for more heavy stains.
Make sure to use the lowest temperature setting on your machine.
Also, ensure you set up the machine to a cold rinse and lower spin rate; this setting reduces wrinkles from forming on the jacket.
Step Three: Place the Jacket in the Machine
Before putting the jacket in the machine, turn it inside out to protect the outer fleece. Also, ensure that you empty every pocket of your jacket to prevent materials that can damage it.
Step Four: Add a Mild Powdered Detergent
Liquid detergents are harmful to fleece jackets because they contain chemicals that reduce the waterproof coating of the fleece jackets.
Instead, use a mild powdered detergent. Ensure that the detergent is not bleach or chlorine-based. Also, don’t use excess detergent when washing your jacket.
Check the fabric care instructions for the correct measurement of detergent to use. Ideally, five ounces of detergent is adequate for a small load.
Mix the detergent with water before adding it to the machine to reduce its concentration and prevent excessive soap residue.
If the jacket has developed a smell, you can add two to four tablespoons of baking soda to your detergent before washing. Baking soda is good at removing funky smells.
Step Five: Start Your Wash Cycle.
Pour the detergent mixture into the machine and begin the wash cycle. Most machines take about 45-60 minutes to complete a cycle.
Examine the jacket once the wash cycle is complete. If you adequately pretreat the jacket, it won’t require additional action.
If some stains persist, try spot cleaning rather than run another cycle.
Step Six: Drying Your Fleece Jacket
As has been earlier mentioned, dryers are bad for fleece jackets. Your best bet remains air drying.
After completing the wash cycle, pull out your jacket and place it on a sturdy hanger. Zip it up entirely and place it on a drying rack.
Please do not dry fleece jackets under direct sunlight as it causes the fabric to fade—instead, air-dry under shade. Look for an out-of-the-way place to dry your jacket, such as your bathroom.
Drying should take about two hours to complete.
Conclusion
Fleece jackets are very comfortable and lightweight, and they are also versatile to use too. However, washing them requires some delicacy.
Handwashing them reduces the damage you expose your jacket, although it is still possible to use a washing machine.
Always check your fabric care instructions to know which method to use without damaging your fleece jacket.