Quick & Easy Guide to Cleaning Any North Face Jacket

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How to wash waterproof, fleece, or down jackets from North Face
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North Face jackets, even waterproof ones, need not be taken to a dry cleaner. However, you'll want to protect your investment should you decide to self-launder a North Face product. We talked to dry cleaning experts Jeimy Flournoy and Ayad Mirjan to find out everything you need to know about washing and drying your North Face jacket, regardless of what material it is.

How do you wash a North Face down puffer jacket?

Zip up any zippers and close the velcro fasteners, then turn the jacket inside-out. Wash the jacket in warm water on a delicate cycle with mild detergent. Tumble-dry the jacket on low using dry balls. Every 10 minutes, take the jacket out and shake it to break up the clumps. Continue until the jacket is completely dry.

Section 1 of 4:

Washing a Waterproof North Face Jacket

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  1. If you’re washing a waterproof North Face jacket, like a GORE-TEX®, make sure all pockets are zipped up and all hook-and-loop fastener straps are fastened. Pour in a small amount of mild detergent —you can even find detergents that are designed specifically for cleaning technical waterproof fabrics. [1]
    • Use a double-rinse cycle to ensure there’s no residue left from the detergent–residue can damage the GORE-TEX® fabric. If your washer doesn’t have an option for a double-rinse cycle, just run a separate rinse-only cycle after the first cycle is finished.
    • If you can, use a front-loading washer or a top-loader without an agitator—these will be gentler on your jacket than a top-loader with an agitator.
    • If you don’t have a machine without an agitator, Flournoy recommends that you either wash your rain jacket “ by hand with a mild detergent or take it to a dry cleaner.”
    • Do not use fabric softener or bleach on your jacket as these can damage or discolor the material.
  2. Flournoy says to “dry a rain jacket on low heat. Avoid using high dryer heat, and avoid ironing it.” This will help maintain the integrity of the DWR (Durable Waterproof Repellant) coating.
    • Flournoy says that it’s also fine to let the jacket air dry if you prefer. Either hang the jacket to dry or lay it out flat on a drying rack.
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  3. Every few washes, use a water repellent to revive the waterproof coating . You can purchase spray-on waterproofing or wash-in waterproofing , and both options are pretty easy to use. Just be sure to carefully follow the application instructions on the product label. [2]
    • If you’re using a spray-on product, you’ll usually apply it to clean, damp fabric.
    • If you’re using a wash-in product, either pour it into your detergent dispenser or add it to a top-loading washer after it’s filled with water.
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Section 2 of 4:

Cleaning a Fleece North Face Jacket

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  1. Washing a fleece jacket inside-out will help prevent “pilling,” or the balling up of lint, on the jacket. And closing all of the zippers and velcro fasteners will help prevent the fleece from getting snagged during the wash cycle. [3]
    • If you notice "pills" beginning to form, you can take a razor and gently scrape them off the exterior of the jacket.
  2. Mirjan says that the best way to wash fleece is “in the washer on the delicate cycle, with a small amount of mild detergent.” If possible, place the jacket in a front-loading washing machine or a top-loading machine without an agitator. Using a low-spin setting, wash the jacket in cold water, as fleece should cannot handle high heat. [4]
    • You can use mild liquid or powder detergent on fleece, but fabric softeners and bleach are still advised against, as they may damage the material. [5]
  3. Fleece can shrink or be damaged in high temperatures, so it’s better to hang your jacket or lay it flat to dry. If you do decide to put it in the dryer, use the lowest possible heat setting—but keep in mind that this could still damage the jacket. [6]
    • To prevent mildew, make sure your North Face fleece is completely dry before you place it in your closet.
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Section 3 of 4:

Washing & Drying a Down North Face Jacket

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  1. Mirjan says that “it’s best to wash a down jacket in a washing machine with a natural detergent to ensure it gets clean.” Like other North Face jackets, putting a down jacket in a top-loading machine with an agitator will likely damage it, so it’s best to use a front-loading machine or a top-loading machine without an agitator. But unlike other styles of jacket, it’s best to wash these with warm water, not cold.
    • For best results, repeat the rinse and spin cycles to help remove all soap residue.
    • Make sure all pockets are emptied out and zipped up.
  2. Place the jacket in the dryer with dryer balls or new, clean tennis balls . Check it every 10–15 minutes and give the jacket a good shake to ensure no clumps of down are forming. Repeat this process until the jacket is completely dry—this can take up to 2 hours, or more in some cases. [7]
    • Using laundry balls and shaking the jacket periodically will help prevent the down from forming clumps, which would ruin the jacket.
    • Mirjan says that if you want to lay the down jacket flat to dry, “be sure to fluff it back up to keep the down from sticking together.”
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Section 4 of 4:

FAQs

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  1. 1
    Can I put a North Face jacket in the washing machine? Yes, most North Face jackets can be washed in the washing machine. However, avoid washing your TNF jacket in a top-loading washing machine with an agitator—the friction from the agitator can damage the fabric.
  2. 2
    How do you make a North Face jacket puffy after washing it? Put it in the dryer on low heat. Add dryer balls to the dryer, and every 10–15 minutes, take the jacket out and shake it. Keep doing this for 1–2 hours or until you don’t feel any clumps and the jacket is completely dry.
  3. 3
    Do North Face jackets shrink in the dryer? If you put a fleece jacket in the dryer on high heat, it could shrink. Be sure to carefully follow the care instructions on the garment to avoid damaging your North Face jacket.
  4. 4
    How often should I wash my North Face jacket? To prolong the life of your jacket, wash it whenever it’s visibly dirty or has picked up odors from being outdoors.
  5. 5
    Can I use bleach on my North Face jacket? No, you shouldn’t use bleach on any North Face jackets as it could damage them.
  6. 6
    What temperature should I use to wash a North Face jacket? Waterproof and fleece jackets should only be washed in cold water. If you have a down jacket, wash it in warm—not hot—water.
  7. 7
    How do I get stains off of my North Face jacket? Treat stains as soon as you see them by rubbing the area with a little bit of mild detergent. Let that sit for a few minutes, then wash the jacket as you normally would. Repeat if needed—don’t put the jacket in the dryer until the stain is gone.
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  • Question
    Will a top load washer really damage my North Face jacket?
    Community Answer
    Yes because it will ruin the fabric and make it all disheveled and if you don't have a front loader washer/dryer you should take it to a laundromat or handwash it in the sink/bath/shower wash the jacket with cold water.
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    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 7
  • Question
    What temperature can I use for a North Face jacket? Hot, cold, or warm?
    Community Answer
    It should always be washed in cold water, as hot or warm water will damage the material. Cold water is easiest for almost every clothing.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    Can I use a fabric spray on a jacket to waterproof it?
    Lina DaSilva
    Top Answerer
    Yes. Just be sure the jacket is clean before applying the spray and look for a waterproofing spray designed for outdoor or technical fabrics.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.thenorthface.eu/en-lu/help-section/faq/products/how-to-take-care-of-the-north-face-jacket
      2. ↑ https://www.thenorthface.eu/en-lu/help-section/faq/products/what-does-waterproof-really-mean
      3. ↑ https://www.thenorthface.eu/en-lu/help-section/faq/products/how-to-take-care-of-the-north-face-jacket
      4. ↑ http://norwaygeographical.com/how-to-wash-north-face-jacket/
      5. ↑ https://www.thenorthface.eu/en-lu/help-section/faq/products/how-to-take-care-of-the-north-face-jacket
      6. ↑ https://www.thenorthface.eu/en-lu/help-section/faq/products/how-to-take-care-of-the-north-face-jacket
      7. ↑ https://canyouwash.it/can-you-wash-north-face-jackets/

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