How to Wash Fleece

Co-authored by Ayad Mirjan

Last Updated: September 15, 2022 References

Keeping your fleece soft, fluffy, lint free and smelling fresh is easy! Whether it is a sweater or a blanket, fleece always feels the best new but occasionally you need to wash it. Careful handling, mild or natural detergents, cool water and air drying can keep fleece garments in fluffy new condition.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Pre-Treating Fleece

1
Wash your fleece only when absolutely necessary. Fleece garments and blankets are made of polyester and plastic fibers and often do not need washing every time they are worn.^{[1]
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Research source} Washing less also helps reduce the amount of microfibers shed into your washing machine and keeps it out of our planet’s water supply.^{[2]
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Research source}Some fleece garment rules of thumb:
- Sweatshirts: Wash after 6 wears.
- Jackets and parkas: Wash twice each winter season.
- Hats, gloves and scarves: Wash 3 to 5 times each winter season.
- Hosiery: Wash after every wear.
- Leggings and pants: Wash every 1 to 3 wears.
- Blankets: Twice a season depending on personal linen washing preference.^{[3]
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2
Spot wash and pretreat any stains with a gentle detergent. Use a sponge with soap or a mild detergent on targeted stained areas. Sponge gently to lift dirt and leave on for 10 minutes. Blot it out with a paper towel or cool water sponge. ^{[4]
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- Don’t rub too hard when spot treating or the dirt will settle deeper into the fleece fiber.
- For extra stubborn spots try a mild acid like lemon juice or vinegar to lift the stain. ^{[5]
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3
Remove lint specs by pilling fleece. Over time white lint specs accumulate on fleece reducing the garments softness and water resistance. Pilling usually occurs when the fleece is over-rubbed or a-braided.^{[6]
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Research source}. Use a lint roller, brushing down fleece while you wear it or on a flat surface. Alternatively you can very gently run a razor over the fleece cutting away lint.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Washing in the Machine

1
Check the tag for any specific instructions. Its always better to read the manufacturers notes on the proper care for the fleece garment or item before washing. Sometimes dyes require special handling and care to avoid colours running. ^{[7]
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2
Use a few drops of a mild or natural detergent in your washing machine. Try to avoid harsh detergents with fabric softeners, 'the blue goo’, bleach, scents, and conditioners. These are your fleece’s worst enemy.
- DIY natural detergent: ¼ cup of baking soda, 1 cup hydrogen peroxide or vinegar. You want oxygen in the water to break up the water surface tension creating the bubbles and removing the dirt.^{[8]
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- Vinegar eliminates odours, is anti-bacterial and helps remove soap and grime buildup.^{[9]
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3
Turn your washing machine on to the gentle cycle setting using cool water. A gentle wash or rinse is all the fleece needs so as to keep the fibres soft and fuzzy. Warm or hot water on a strong cycle will degrade the quality and reduce the water proof resistance of the fleece over time.^{[10]
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- Pull fleece garments inside out to reduce lint specs appearing on the outside.
- Avoid washing fleece with other items such as towels and sheets. Towels are the main culprit for lint specs!
4
Air dry the fleece on a drying rack or hanger. Hang the fleece item carefully inside or outside for 1 - 3 hours depending on the weather. Air drying keeps the fleece smelling nice and fresh.
- To save the fabric colour from fading air dry inside or in the shade away from direct sunlight. ^{[11]
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5
Tumble dry on the lowest setting for delicate items. Once the dryer has completed its cycle make sure the fleece is completely dry, fold and store in your drawers or closet.^{[12]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Washing By Hand

1
Fill up a basin or tub with cool water. Hand washing in cool water is the gentlest way to wash fleece. Particular garments may have to be hand washed so as to look after the fabric dyes (again, check tag for specific handling and care instructions).
2
Use a mild or natural detergent to hand wash. Polyester fleece synthetic fibres are stain resistant, so just a small amount of soap and water will do the trick. Too much soap can build up in the fibres and make it less soft and fluffy.^{[13]
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3
Gently rub fabric together with your hands for 5 minutes. Focus on areas where you sweat or notice any dirt. Rinse and repeat this process in fresh water until the water runs clear of dirt and detergent. Fleece items that have particularly stubborn odours or stains, leave to soak for 30 to 40 mins before rinsing with water.^{[14]
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4
Air dry the fleece on a drying rack. Squeeze excess moisture and hang carefully on a drying rack inside or outside. Drying time will vary depend on the size of garment and the weather.
- Drying outdoors away from harsh sunlight is a great way to air fleece dry without pilling.^{[15]
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Community Q&A
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Question

Does fleece shrink after washing?

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It depends on what the fleece is made of. 100% cotton or wool fleece will shrink in a hot washer or dryer, but polyester fleece typically does not.
Question

Does water ruin fleece?

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No, most fleece is fairly sturdy and can hold up to getting wet. However, if you have 100% wool or cotton fleece, stick to cold water, since hot water could cause it to shrink.
Question

How do you make fleece soft again?

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To keep your fleece soft, avoid washing it in warm or hot water, and spot clean it (instead of machine washing it) as much as possible. If you have to wash your fleece, let it air dry, then use a soft bristle brush to comb it out and make it nice and fluffy again.

Warnings

Avoid harsh sunlight and high temperatures as the synthetic fibres are very sensitive to direct heat. ^{[16]
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Minimise the release of microfibers into our planet's water supply by reducing the use and washing regime of polyester fleece products.^{[17]
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