The ultimate guide to washing your jacket

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT WASHING YOUR WINTER JACKET

It’s okay if your jacket never saw the washing machine. But after reading this post, promise your jacket that you’ll regularly wash it – you’re supposed to periodically, as opposed to just when it gets dirty. You know that your jacket’s waterproof and windproof thanks to the materials it’s made from – all of these materials have different membranes that start to lose their qualities when they get clogged with dirt and dust particles. I’ve heard time and time again that you shouldn’t wash your jacket, because they get damaged in the process, but the opposite is true. If you follow the tips in this post, your jacket is guaranteed to stay damage-free and retain all its great qualities.

Read the label

Before you shove your jacket into the washing machine, check out the label with all the little pictures on it. It’ll show you the manufacturer’s instructions on how to wash it – including whether you even can wash it in a regular washing machine, what temperature to wash in and, for example, whether you can shove it in the dryer afterwards. When washing my clothes, I always keep the manufacturer’s tips in high regard. You should try it. Don’t know what the little pictures mean? Check out the picture.

Never use fabric softener

You should always be careful when using fabric softener. They disturb the structure and strength of the fibers, which can, in turn, inhibit the properties of the technical materials the clothing’s made from – and this doesn’t just go with jackets, regular clothes too. So if you mindlessly pour fabric softener in with every wash, just so it smells nice, you don’t need to. Modern washing machines are pretty advanced and usually have built-in programs for sport or outdoor clothing, which have pre-programmed temperature transitions and movements of the drum. If your washing machine doesn’t have these things, that’s no problem either – just wash it at a maximum temperature of 40°, using special detergent that’s up to the task.

Zip everything up

That’s right, every zipper and all the velcro, so they don’t damage the rest of the clothes or the washing machine’s drum. Turn the jacket inside out so lumps don’t form.

WASHING A PUFFER JACKET

At first, these looked like a short-lived trend, but we all know they’re extremely warm, soft and comfortable, which means they’re here to stay. I’d compare putting a puffer jacket on to snuggling into your favourite blanket, even in places like public transport, on your way to school or work. And they look really good. So, after a long winter, your favourite jacket needs proper care. How do you do this?

You can wash a puffer jacket either by hand or in a washing machine. When washing by hand, put the jacket into a bathtub filled with lukewarm water and specialized detergent, let it soak and then gently wash and rinse. If the puffer has any stains on it, apply a bit of detergent and, using gentle and circular motions, try to remove them. When using a washing machine, empty all the pockets, zip all the zippers up as per above, choose a gentle program without rinsing and set the temperature to 30°. After the wash, let the water go out from the washing machine and don’t wring the jacket. Instead, gently shake it out and place it on a towel, cover it with a second towel and squeeze – this removes the excess water.

TIP: feathers have a protective layer of fat that gives it its isolative qualities. If you use regular detergent, this fat could wash out. So stop by your closest drugstore and pick out detergent made specifically for clothes with feathers. Little reminder – don’t use fabric softener.

WASHING JACKETS WITH SYNTHETIC FILLING

Do you own a winter jacket with synthetic filling? That needs special care too! As jackets are most commonly filled with hollow fibers or microfibers which don’t have the same qualities like feathers, they’re much easier to take care of. They’re suitable for activities like running or skiing, but they can make an impression anytime you need a warm buddy. Jackets with synthetic filling are washed in a washing machine, as per the label. You use a special detergent and once again – don’t use fabric softener.

HOW TO WASH GORE-TEX JACKETS

Techwear and outdoors is the new black. And thanks to the pandemic, we’ve all gone and grabbed some outdoor clothes (including Gore-tex jackets) and headed into the countryside. But, every once in a while, your foot slips and you fall face first into a puddle of mud, or in my case, you have to pet and play with every dog you see – both end with your jacket seriously dirty. Gore-tex is worth its weight in gold as far as outdoor clothes goes, because it’s based on a waterproof membrane – synthetic fabric with microscopic pores. These pores are large enough to allow small molecules (eg. perspiring sweat) to leave, but large enough to prevent water from getting past. The membrane’s repellent properties exist thanks to an impregnation substance. To make sure the membrane functions as intended, it needs to be cleaned regularly. Dirt particles cause the material to turn yellow and separates the layers of the membrane. So your Gore-tex jacket can only save you from getting wet if you properly wash it, at least twice a year. How?

Wash off the majority of the dirt with a stream of water. Zip everything up, chuck the jacket into the washing machine, and add special gel for functional clothing. Turn the washing machine onto a gentle setting and set the temperature as per the instructions on the label. Don’t use fabric softener or whitening products, avoid wringing the jacket and using the dryer. Hang the washed jacket and let it dry out.

HOW TO WASH FLEECE JACKETS

Fleece jackets are trending right now and apart from looking great, they also keep you warm really well. For me personally, it’s the best type of jacket for autumn. So how do you wash this jacket? According to the information on the label. You can use regular detergent, just avoid whitening, chemical cleaning and throwing it into the dryer. Oh, and fabric softener.

DRYING YOUR JACKET

You can go two ways when drying your jacket – letting it dry on its own or shoving it into the dryer. I’ve already written about natural drying above, when discussing puffer jackets, but so far I’ve been pretty dismissive about the beloved dryer.

Even though tons of manufacturers advise against it, using a dryer with a couple basic rules is permitted. Pick a low-temperature setting (max 30°). If you’re drying a puffer jacket, throw in a couple tennis balls to keep the feathers fluffed up during the process. Afterwards, don’t put the jacket onto the radiator or direct sunlight!

TIP: When drying outdoor clothes, always stay away from the dryer.The drum could disrupt the membranes.

IMPREGNATION

The longer you own a jacket, the less pronounced its qualities are, even if you follow this post to the letter. But impregnation can help with this, as it strengthens the jacket’s protective qualities. When choosing impregnation, make sure to specifically pick one for your requirements – if you had Gore-tex drip from Nike ACG, you wouldn’t spray it with Softshell spray. So – follow our tips, clothes can easily get damaged. Before you start, read the manufacturer’s instructions, as there’s always variations to everything. Generally, it’s recommended to impregnate your jacket only after several washes, to renew the functional membrane.

Can I use fabric softener when washing a jacket?
No. it disrupts the membranes and fibers the jacket’s made from, which makes it lose it’s qualities.

What temperature should I use?
A maximum temperature of 40° is recommended. Set the washing machine to an outdoor/sports program.

Can I wash a puffer jacket in a washing machine?
Yep. If you follow a few basic rules that you can find in the “Washing a puffer jacket” paragraph.

Can you put a functional jacket into the dryer?
Yes, you can, even though a lot of manufacturers recommend free drying. Read the “Drying your jacket” paragraph to find out more.