How to Wash a Fleece Jacket

Co-authored by Ayad Mirjan

Last Updated: November 13, 2022 References

You can easily wash your fleece jacket! For a quick and easy option, throw your fleece in the washing machine. To wash your jacket with care, clean it by hand. Always use powdered detergent rather than liquid, and avoid using warm water or a hot wash setting. With proper products and regular washing, your fleece will look great and keep you warm!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Deciding When and How to Wash

1
Wash your fleece jacket after 6-7 wears. You can wear your fleece several times without washing it, as the fabric is durable and tough against stains.^{[1]
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- If you over-wash your fleece, the fabric may start to pill.
- In addition, clean your jacket whenever it is noticeably dirty. For example, if you’ve gone on a hiking trip and got very muddy, wash your jacket as soon as you get home.
2
Use the washing machine if you want a fast and easy method. You can easily wash your fleece jacket in your washing machine. If you do this, be sure to wash your jacket with similar colors. If possible, wash it with other fleece clothing.^{[2]
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- Avoid washing your jacket with other items that may cause lint, such as towels and washcloths.
- You can wash it in the washer on the delicate cycle.
- Use a small amount of toxin-free natural detergent.
- If you want to remove static electricity, you can use wool dryer balls during the dryer cycle.
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3
Wash your fleece jacket by hand to avoid any fabric pilling. Do this if your tag recommends it or if you want to avoid any pilling on your jacket. Some particular fleece jackets require hand-washing because of their fabric of any dyes used. While washing your fleece by hand takes a bit more work, it is still easy to do. ^{[3]
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- While using a cold water setting with a washing machine often avoids pilling, the machine can cause the fabric to pill over time.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using the Washing Machine

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Turn the jacket inside out before you wash it. Flip the neck of your jacket inside, pull the sleeves into the main body, and turn it inside out. This way, the outer fleece stays protected as you wash it.^{[4]
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- In addition, ensure there is nothing in the pockets of your jacket before you wash it. If you leave paper in the pockets, your jacket will get covered in lint, which is almost impossible to remove.^{[5]
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2
Use mild soap powder rather than liquid detergent. To keep your fleece soft and water-resistant, purchase mild powdered detergent and review the instructions on the package regarding how much to use. For a small load, use around 5 ounces (141.8 g).^{[6]
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- Liquid detergent contains chemicals that strip away the waterproof coating on your fleece jacket.
3
Use the lowest temperature setting to avoid damaging your jacket. Turn your wash temperature to the “cold” setting before you start the load.^{[7]
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- If you use a warm wash setting, your fabric may start to pill.
- If you use a hot wash setting, the fabric may melt.
4
Mix the mild powder detergent with some water to prevent soap residue. Pour your powdered detergent into a small bowl, and add 5-10 drops of water to the bowl. Mix it up with a spoon to liquefy your detergent. This helps prevent cut down on extra soap residue when you wash your jacket.^{[8]
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- If you place the powdered detergent directly into the washing machine, it may be too concentrated and result in a lot of soap residue.
5
Add baking soda to your detergent mixture if your fleece smells funky. If you notice an odd odor on your jacket, use baking soda along with your detergent to get rid of the smell. Mix about 2-4 tbsp (29.6 - 59.2 g) into your detergent mixture before pouring it into the washing machine.^{[9]
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- Baking soda is known to absorb unpleasant odors and works great when washing clothing.
6
Pour your detergent mixture into the machine and start your wash cycle. Press the “Start” button after you add your detergent. Then, come back after your wash cycle is completed. Most machines take 45-60 minutes to wash your clothing.^{[10]
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- If you are washing your fleece by itself or with a few items, use a light wash cycle.
- If you are washing a full load of laundry, use a larger wash cycle, based on the options listed on your particular machine.
7
Hang the jacket on a hanger and let it air dry. After your clothes are washed, open up your washing machine and pull out your fleece jacket. Place the jacket on a hanger and zip it up. Leave the jacket in a dry place for 1-2 hours so it can air dry.^{[11]
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- Avoid using the dryer when washing your fleece jacket. Even a light heat cycle can cause your fleece to pill, and the heat can damage your jacket.
- If you washed other clothing with your fleece, you can put them in the dryer.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Washing by Hand

1
Fill a bucket or your sink mostly full of cold water. Use cool water from your faucet, and fill your bucket about two thirds of the way full so your jacket can completely soak.^{[12]
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- You can also use a large plastic bin.
2
Mix your powder detergent in cold water thoroughly. When washing only 1 item of clothing, you only need a small amount of detergent. Be sure to read over the directions on your detergent packaging. Typically, you can use about 2 oz (56.7 g) of powdered detergent for your jacket. Pour this into the bucket or sink, and mix it around using a spoon.^{[13]
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- Mix up the detergent as best as you can to avoid any extra soap residue.
3
Soak your jacket in the soap concoction and scrub it with a brush. Place your fleece jacket into the bucket or sink, and submerge it entirely in the water. Locate a soft scrub brush, and move it in small, circular movements on your jacket to lift up any dirt and debris. You can work in 2–4 in (5.1–10.2 cm) areas for best results.^{[14]
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- Scrub each side of your jacket for a thorough clean.
4
Rinse your fleece in cool water to remove dirt, debris, and soap. Once you’re finished scrubbing your jacket, pull it out of the water and hold it underneath of cool running water. Rinse your jacket thoroughly to get rid of dirt and soap residue.^{[15]
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- Your jacket is rinsed completely when you no longer see soap bubbles dripping off.
5
Empty your sink or bucket after you take out the jacket. Pour the water mixture down your drain, and rinse out your bucket with clean cool water. Continue cleaning your bucket until all soap residue is gone.^{[16]
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- If you don’t clean your bucket or sink right away, the soap residue will stick on and be more difficult to remove down the line.
6
Let your jacket air dry to avoid any fabric pilling. Wring out any extra water, and place your jacket on a hanger. Then, hang it up in a dry place, like your bedroom or bathroom.^{[17]
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- Your jacket should dry in 1-2 hours.

Community Q&A

Question

Can you put a fleece jacket in the washing machine?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

Fleece can be damaged and the safest way to wash it is by hand. However, you can use a washing machine if you need to. The first thing you should do is flip the neck of your jacket inside, pull the sleeves into the main body, and turn it inside out. This way, the outer fleece stays protected as you wash it. To keep your fleece soft and water-resistant, purchase mild powdered detergent and review the instructions on the package regarding how much to use. For a small load, use around 5 ounces (141.8 g). Set your washing machine to the cold water setting so it doesn't cause the fabric to pill or melt. Pour your powdered detergent into a small bowl, and add 5-10 drops of water to the bowl. Mix it up with a spoon to liquefy your detergent. If your fleece is especially stinky or funky, mix about 2-4 tbsp (29.6 - 59.2 g) of baking soda into your detergent mixture before pouring it into the washing machine. When your jacket is finished washing, place it on a hanger and zip it up. Hang it up and allow it to fully dry so it doesn't develop any unpleasant smells or shrink.
Question

How do you wash fleece without ruining it?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

Your best bet is to hand wash it. Use cool water from your faucet, and fill a bucket about two thirds of the way full so your jacket can completely soak in the water. Mix in about 2 oz (56.7 g) of powdered detergent into the water and stir it around with a spoon so it forms a cleaning solution. Place your fleece into the bucket or sink, and submerge it entirely in the water. Locate a soft scrub brush, and move it in small, circular movements on your jacket to lift up any dirt and debris. Once you're finished cleaning your fleece, remove it from the soapy water and hold it underneath cool running water to remove any soapy residue from the material. Wring out as much water as you can and then hang the fleece up to airdry.
Question

Does fleece shrink when washed?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

It definitely can if you don't wash it properly. You really want to hand wash it to keep the material from pilling or getting warped. But, you can use a washing machine if you need to. No matter how you choose to wash your fleece, it's super important that you use cool water. Warm water and hot water can cause the material to shrink. Once the fleece is clean, never machine dry it! The heat and tumbling is a surefire way to cause the material to shrink. Instead, hang the material up in a well-ventilated area. Allow the fleece to fully dry before you take it down and store it so it doesn't develop a smell.

Things You’ll Need

Using the Washing Machine

Fleece jacket
Washing machine
Powdered detergent
Baking soda (optional)
Hanger

Washing by Hand

Fleece jacket
Bucket or sink
Powdered detergent
Soft scrub brush
Water
Hanger

Warnings

Do not use liquid detergent, fabric softeners, or dryer sheets when cleaning fleece jackets. These products contain chemicals that will eat away at the water-resistant finish on your jacket.

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Do not use heat when washing your fleece jacket. Using a hot heat setting or iron press can cause your fleece to melt.

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