To keep your North Face jacket in good shape, you’ll want to wash it safely. Before you dump it into the washing machine with your towels and other laundry, you will want to make sure you are using best practices recommended by North Face.
North Face recommends dry cleaning their jackets. If washing a North Face jacket at home, was on a gentle cycle with warm water and a non-abrasive, mild soap. An extra spin cycle may help remove excess water. Tumble dry on low or no heat. Wool dryer balls can help fluff up the jacket again.
Ensure that your north face jacket looks as good as the day you bought it after each wash. If you can’t get to a dry cleaner or you end up with a spill you need to clean quickly, read on to learn how to take good care of your North Face jacket.
Do North Face Jackets Need to Be Dry-Cleaned?
Having your North Face jacket dry cleaned certainly can’t hurt. Whether you have a GORE-TEX jacket or a down-filled one, the dry cleaner will know what to do for expert cleaning.
But some people don’t use dry cleaning and prefer to take care of all their laundry needs at home. If this is the case, there’s no problem. You can wash a North Face jacket at home.
Tips for Washing North Face Jackets at Home
North face jackets are machine washable. You can handwash or put it in the washing machine, as long as you follow directions for best results:
Use cold water and a gentle detergent specifically designed for down-filled coats.
Don’t use liquid fabric softener because this will clog up the down feathers too much and they won’t be able to fluff back up.
Don’t use bleach.
Tumble dry on low heat, or hang it to dry if you don’t have a machine available. Don’t expose your north face jacket to high temperatures because this can melt the glue that holds down feathers in place. The last thing anyone wants is for their north face jacket to look duck-like!
Tips for Washing North Face Jackets When Camping
If you are on the road and don’t have access to a machine, here are some tips for camping north face jackets:
Bring it in the shower with you and wash under running water.
Use biodegradable soap if possible (like Dr. Bronner’s brand).
Rinse well by hand afterward; make sure there aren’t any suds left.
Hang it over a chair to dry in the sun, not inside your tent or car where there is no ventilation and you run the risk of mildew!
Spot-cleaning a North Face Jacket
If you just have an accident that needs cleaning up before it stains or damages your jacket, you may just need to spot-clean. You have some options:
Use a damp cloth and mild soap solution.
Apply some baking soda or even toothpaste to the stain, then rub it off with water.
Toss your north face jacket in the dryer or in the sun, if needed.
You may also use a gentle wipe that is safe for your jacket. Not a bleach wipe!
Getting Smells Out of a North Face Jacket
If your north face jacket smells, it may just be a mildew smell that you need to get rid of.
You can use baking soda or vinegar in the dryer along with your north face jacket for about an hour and then let them both air out overnight inside your house.
If it’s a harsh scent, like body odor, you can try an odor eliminating spray, if it says it is safe for the fabric of your jacket. Even if the label says it is safe, test a small area first before really going for it. You don’t want it to discolor the armpits of your North Face jacket because that would cause a whole new problem.
Storing a North Face Jacket
When you are not wearing your north face jacket, be sure to store it in a breathable bag or container. This keeps dust off of it and prevents moths from chewing on the fabric.
If possible, hang up the north face jacket rather than folding it into storage because that will help prevent wrinkles and creases that may show when you remove your coat from storage.
You Can Clean Your North Face at Home
The north face jacket is machine washable, but not on a regular cycle in a home machine. While dry cleaning is the best option, if you use a gentle cycle, cool to warm water and gentle soap, you won’t damage your jacket.
Be sure to dry your North Face jacket thoroughly. Don’t use high heat. Use gentle heat for a longer time, if needed. Or dry in the sun if you have that option.
If you are careful, you can wash your North Face at home.