In order to keep winter coats in good condition and make them last longer, it is important to clean and maintain them regularly.
At the very least, winter coats should be washed once a year, preferably at the end of the season.
This helps to remove dirt, stains, and odors from both the environment and the body before storing them. It is even better to wash them twice a season.
Certain types of winter coats, such as fleece or performance outerwear, may require more frequent washing. The frequency can range from every two weeks to once a month, depending on how often they are used and factors like visible stains or retained odors that indicate the need for washing.
This guide offers instructions on how to clean different types of winter coats, including parkas, puffer vests, fleece jackets, performance outerwear, as well as heavy wool and synthetic overcoats.
Although they are often overlooked on laundry day, winter coats require proper care.
Way to Clean Parkas and Puffer Vests
Cleaning parkas and puffer vests is usually done through machine washing, which is both effective and convenient.
This method ensures that winter coats stay in good condition. When it comes to drying a filled winter coat, using dryer balls or substitutes is essential to ensure the even drying and proper redistribution of the coat’s filling.
What You’ll Need
- laundry detergent
- Stain remover
- Dryer balls
- Sewing kit (optional)
Steps to Clean Parkas and Puffer Vests
Step 1: Check for Damage and Examine Pockets
Before washing a parka or puffer vest, inspect and empty both the interior and exterior pockets.
Look for any signs of damage like rips or loose threads, and if needed, make the necessary repairs before washing. Remember to zip or button any closures.
Step 2: Treat Stains
If there are visible stains, treat them with a suitable stain remover.
For areas with accumulated dirt around collars and cuffs, which often occurs due to body and environmental soils, pretreat those areas with an enzymatic stain remover before washing. In the case of makeup stains on the collar or ink stains, you can apply Rubbing Alcohol before laundering.
Step 3: Machine Wash
Refer to the care tag on the coat and follow any specific instructions regarding water temperature, cycle speed, and duration of the wash.
Take note of any products, such as bleach or fabric softener, that should be avoided. In general, machine-washable winter coats can be cleaned using cold water and the regular cycle on your washing machine.
Step 4: Dry the Coat
Parkas and puffer vests can be dried in a dryer, but it’s important to check the care tag for instructions.
Despite their bulkiness, it’s generally recommended to dry winter coats on a low to medium heat setting, avoiding high heat. Using dryer balls or substitutes like tennis balls or a toddler sneaker wrapped in a sock is crucial for redistributing the coat’s filling, especially when washing filled winter coats.
Way to Clean Fleece and Performance Outerwear
When it comes to washing fleece and performance outerwear, understanding what should be avoided is crucial for successful cleaning.
It’s important not to use fabric softener or chlorine bleach, as they can damage these fabrics. Machine washing is the recommended method, but due to the lightweight and quick-drying nature of fleece and performance materials, hand laundering can also be effective.
What You’ll Need
- Laundry detergent
- Stain remover
- Dryer balls
- Sewing kit (optional)
Steps to Clean Fleece and Performance Outerwear
Step 1: Check for Damage and Examine Pockets
Before washing a fleece jacket or performance outerwear, carefully inspect and empty both the interior and exterior pockets.
Look for any signs of damage such as rips or loose threads, and make any necessary repairs before washing. Ensure that closures like zippers or buttons are secured before washing.
Step 2: Treat Stains
If there are visible stains, treat them with an appropriate stain remover.
For areas with significant dirt or discoloration around the collars and cuffs, pretreat those areas with an enzymatic stain remover before washing fleece jackets.
Step 3: Machine Wash
Refer to the care tag on the garment and follow any specific instructions regarding water temperature, cycle speed, and duration of the wash.
Pay close attention to any products that should be avoided. Never use liquid fabric softeners or dryer sheets when washing these fabrics, and refrain from using chlorine bleach.
In general, fleece jackets and performance outerwear should be washed using cold water and the regular cycle on your washing machine.
Step 4: Dry the Coat
Fleece and performance outerwear are known for their quick-drying properties.
They can be air-dried flat or machine-dried using the lowest heat setting on your dryer. Using dryer balls during the drying process can be beneficial.
Way to Clean Wool Coats
Due to their bulk and fabric composition, heavy wool or synthetic blend overcoats are not suitable for machine washing or hand laundering.
Instead, a combination of cleaning techniques involving brushing, spot-treating stains, and steaming should be used to clean these types of winter coats. Alternatively, you can opt to have heavy wool overcoats professionally cleaned.
What You’ll Need:
- Clothing brush
- Wool-safe detergent
- Light-colored cloth
- Clothing steamer
- Sturdy hanger
Steps to Clean Wool Coats
Step 1: Brush the Coat.
Using a clothing brush, gently and vigorously brush the coat to remove dirt, dust, dead skin, salt, and other environmental and body soils that may have accumulated on the fabric.
Step 2: Spot Treat Stains.
Take a small amount of wool-safe detergent and apply it to a slightly damp, light-colored cloth.
With a gentle touch, work the detergent into the stained or soiled areas following the direction of the fibers. Avoid rubbing in a circular motion or exerting excessive force to prevent fabric abrasion, fraying, or tearing, which can lead to pilling and other damage.
Once the stain is removed, rinse the cloth with Clean Water and go over the spot-treated areas to eliminate any residue from the detergent.
Step 3: Steam the Coat.
Hang the coat on a sturdy hanger and use a clothing steamer to steam both the interior and exterior of the coat.
The steam possesses antibacterial properties that effectively eliminate odors and allergens, leaving the coat clean and ready for wearing or storage.
*The information is for reference only.