How to Wash a North Face Jacket

How to Wash a North Face Fleece Jacket

You can successfully machine wash or handwash a North Face fleece jacket. Use lower water temperatures and gentle agitation to help prevent pilling.

1. Read Labels and Sort the Laundry

   Always check the care label for specific instructions.

   It is important to sort your laundry and avoid washing your fleece jacket with lint-producing clothes, like cotton flannel or towels, because fleece is a magnet for shedding fibers. Fleece also attracts pet hair, so reduce and remove lint before laundering. It is often best to wash your North Face jacket alone or with other similar jackets.

   Make sure to check the pockets for tissues or paper that may disintegrate in water and stick to the fleece. Close all zippers, buttons, and fasteners, and then turn the jacket inside out to prevent excessive rubbing to the soft side of the fleece.

2. Choose the Water Temperature, Washer Cycle, and Detergent

   Always select the cold or warm water setting—never hot—when washing fleece jackets. High temperatures can damage fleece fibers.

   Choose the gentle cycle for fleece jackets that are lightly soiled. For heavily soiled pieces, use the permanent press cycle, which has a cold rinse and a lower spin speed.

   Use a mild liquid detergent and do not use chlorine bleach or add fabric softeners to the wash or the rinse cycle. If your jacket has strong odors from perspiration or campfires, add one cup of baking soda to the wash water to help absorb odors.

   If you are handwashing your North Face jacket, fill the sink or tub with warm water and add approximately one-half teaspoon of detergent for every gallon of water. Add the jacket to the soapy water and allow it to soak for about 20 minutes. Gently squeeze the jacket to loosen the soil, but do not aggressively scrub the fabric. Rinse well and squeeze out the water, no wringing. Hang to air-dry.

3. Shake and Line Dry

   When you remove your jacket from the washer, turn it right side out and give it a good shake to help remove wrinkles. Hang it on a sturdy hanger, or fold it over a drying rack to air-dry. Do not use a clothes dryer to dry fleece. The high temperature and the friction will cause pilling.

Treating Stains on a North Face Fleece Jacket

Place a dab of enzyme-based stain remover or laundry detergent on a microfiber cloth. Rub the stained areas with the cloth to help lift the stains. Wait at least 10 minutes before washing the jacket to allow the cleaner to begin lifting the stains and then, wash as usual.

Oil-based stains can be difficult to remove from polyester fibers. Allow more time for the enzyme-based stain remover to work - up to 30 minutes before washing.

Repairs and Care of a North Face Fleece Jacket

Zipper replacement or rips in fleece jackets can be repaired with a sewing machine or by hand-sewing. The North Face company accepts damaged or used garments that they will refurbish and recycle.

The more you wash a fleece jacket, the more the fibers will degrade and eventually mat. Fleece fabric rarely shows wrinkles, so ironing should be avoided at all costs, as it could melt the jacket.

Tips for Washing a North Face Fleece Jacket

• Use a sticky lint roller to remove lint before washing.
• Use cool water and the gentle or delicate cycle on your washing machine.
• Turn your jacket inside out before washing.
• Wash fleece jackets separately; never with lint-producing cotton towels or sheets.