If you’ve ever owned a North Face jacket, you would know how incredibly comfortable and durable they are.
But if your jacket is looking a bit worse for wear, it may be time for a clean. These jackets can be rather delicate, so it’s necessary to take certain precautions when cleaning them. If not, you could risk ruining your jacket.
In this article I’m going to show you how to properly wash a North Face fleece jacket without damaging it.
How to Wash a North Face Fleece (Fuzzy) Jacket?
Fleece jackets are lightweight clothing manufactured with polyester synthetic wool (commonly known as polar fleece) that are able to retain heat more efficiently.
However, like all products, to maintain their durability, they need to be taken care of and cleaned properly.
Follow the instructions below to easily clean your jacket without ruining it. This method also applies to North Face Denali jackets.
1. Use Cold Water
First of all, it’s best to use cold water to wash your fleece jacket otherwise you will damage the fibers. As you know, hot temperatures cause many fabrics to expand, which can result in stretching the fibers permanently. This can severely affect your jacket’s breathability.
2. Prevent Pilling
You must turn your jacket inside-out to avoid lint from building up. However, you can use a sharp razor to gently remove any pill that has already formed.
Usually, pills begin to accumulate after many years. But, if you don’t take care of it properly, it can build beforehand.
3. Secure Pockets
If your jacket has any pockets or straps, you must secure all Velcro straps and zip the pockets. This will reduce lint and other residues from accumulating inside of them.
Also, less abrasion can occur, which can lead to small tears in your jacket.
4. Do not Use Liquid Detergents
You must avoid certain cleaning products, such as bleach and fabric softeners because they contain harsh chemicals that can produce enzymatic stains and discolorations. Liquid detergents can also ruin your jacket’s fibers and reduce their durability.
It’s recommended to use powder detergents since the ingredients are milder and can remove stains or foul odors more efficiently.
5. Use a Washing Machine on a Low Setting
When using a washing machine to clean your fleece jacket, front-loading washers are the best options. This is because top-loading washing machines have center agitators that can ruin your jacket from certain areas, like the seams and pockets.
In addition, the washer should be placed on a low-spin cycle, because faster spins can damage the fabrics.
6. Air Drying
It’s not recommended to tumble-dry your fleece jackets because the heat can weaken the fibers of your jacket and decrease their water-resistance and endurance.
Therefore, the best option to just let it air dry. Ironing is also not an option because of the steam and high temperatures.
Washing your Fleece Jacket By Hand
Some people don’t like to wash their fleece jacket in the washing machine; they prefer cleaning their jackets by hand.
Although you use more effort, it’s an excellent way to minimize damage to delicate clothes and prolong that fuzzy fleece feeling. Here’s how you can wash your jacket by hand:
- Fill a container with cold water. It must be enough that you can submerge the jacket completely.
- Add half a cup of powder detergent in the water and mix it thoroughly to avoid sediment lingering at the bottom.
- Soak your fleece jacket in the mixture and let it sit around for five to ten minutes.
- Gently knead your jacket and pay close attention to areas that have stains or smoke residue.
- You can use a soft-bristled brush to wash dirt located between the seams.
- Once you have finished washing your jacket, dump out all the soapy water.
- Add fresh water to the container and rinse the jacket completely.
- It’s imperative to remove all the detergent of the jacket or it will harden within the fabric and reduce its properties.
- Never use heat to dry your jacket. Place it on a clothes rack or line and let it air dry.
How to Wash a North Face Down Jacket
How Often to Wash a North Face Jacket?
Most people recommended cleaning your fleece jackets after five to seven years because they are made with water-resistant fabrics.
However, other experts say that you can wash your fleece after a couple of uses. By general rule, you should wash your fleece jacket only when you deem it necessary.
If your jacket has a foul odor or it’s stained, this is the best time to wash it. Remember to clean only using cold water, then let it air dry.
Once it’s clean and dry, you can then store it away in a cool dry place, to avoid damp and mold.
How to Wash an Osito Fleece Jacket?
Osito fleece is made of silkier polyester wool that has better heat-retaining properties than normal fleece. This makes it a more delicate jacket and must be washed with more care.
You can wash your Osito fleece jacket using the same directions as a normal fleece. Use cold water and secure all straps and pockets. Only use powder detergent and place the washer on the lowest setting. If possible, try to wash it without any other clothes. In addition, turn it inside-out to avoid pilling.
You can run your jacket on the rinse cycle twice, but never place it in a dryer. Air drying is still the best option to avoid damaging the fabric.
North Face Overview
North Face is one of the most popular brands in North America that specializes in clothing, footwear, and outdoor equipment.
It’s an American brand founded in 1966, starting as a small retail store in San Francisco, California. In the beginning, the brand sold only climbing equipment, and later expanded to skiwear and camping gear.
However, North France truly rose to popularity due to its fashionable weather-resistant jackets, which appealed to men and women all over the world.
North Face has a wide variety of jackets, vests, sweatshirts, and parkas with insulation and weather-resistant properties, appropriate for any outdoor sports or activity.
Additionally, it provides some of the best fabric technologies in the market. Some of these includes:
- ThermoBall: It’s an artificial insulating material that retains heat, just like down does, and is able to keep this property even when it’s wet.
- GORE-TEX: Membranes present in water-proof jackets that increase airflow and breathability.
- Polartec: Fabrics with excellent insulating capabilities.
- DryVent: An exclusive fabricated fabric resistant to water, wind and snow, but still provides a wide range of motion and comfort.
- TNF Apex: A recent garment that counteracts overheating by having breathable shells and possesses water-resistant properties.
It’s important to know that these products are highly durable and resistant. Some people praise the fact that they purchased their jackets five or six years ago and they’re still as good as the day they bought it.
They also have a Lifetime Warranty, which alludes to their endurance. Their products are built to protect you from harsh weather conditions, from freezing temperatures to heavy storms.
Finally, the brand is known for its environmental awareness. It donates to various funds and organizations that help to protect the environment and preserve wildlife and flora.
Even more, their jackets are eco-friendly and have a low environmental impact.
Although some of their items are rather pricey, other brands are not able to match their quality. Buying a North Face jacket can be seen as an investment because you get your money’s worth.
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