Can North Face Jackets be washed in the washing machine?

Not all North Face jackets are machine washable. The care instructions for jackets vary depending on the fabric. Some can be machine-washed, whereas others require hand-washing or dry-cleaning.

For the ones that are eligible for machine washing, you simply need to zip them up and fasten the velcro straps before washing them. Next, pour some mild powdered detergent into the washer and set the washer on the gentle cycle and cold water settings.

Be sure to check the care label before deciding on the approach.

Key Takeaways

Not all North Face jackets can be machine-washed (in most cases, the majority of them are machine washable).
The right method of washing your jacket will depend on the fabric of the jacket (for example, North Face FutureLight jackets are machine washable, while the ones that make use of delicate materials should not be washed in a washer).
Always make use of mild detergent powder and cold water to wash your North Face jackets (avoid using a liquid detergent).
Ensure you zip the jacket and fasten the velcro straps to avoid any damage to the jacket as well as other items in the washing machine.
Make sure to wash the jackets at low RPMs.

Table Of Content

What Is a North Face Jacket and what are they made of?
How to Machine Wash a North Face Jacket?
- Pretreating stains/Excess dirt
- Machine Washing Instructions
How to Hand-Wash a North Face Jacket?
How often should you wash North Face jackets?
Final Thoughts

A word of caution

When washing North Face jackets, it is crucial to avoid harsh chemicals or bleach-based detergents to ensure both user safety and fabric integrity. Harsh detergents can cause skin irritation and damage the jacket’s fibers, leading to reduced durability and compromised functionality. Always use mild detergents designed for delicate fabrics, follow care label instructions, and prioritize gentle washing to maintain the jacket’s quality and protect your well-being.

What Is a North Face Jacket and what are they made of?

North face jackets are quite popular to comfort yourself during winters or in cold conditions.

These jackets come in a variety of styles, such as fluffy ones that are cushioned from the inside with multiple protective layers designed specifically for cold conditions.

Other types include fashionable modern jackets in the western and stylish categories with appealing designs.

Most North Face Jackets are made using cotton, polyester, polyurethane, nylon, or a combination of these items along with using recycled materials that can be machine washed.

Some North Face Jackets are made using waterproof materials and coated with a Durable Water-Repellent (DWR) layer. It simply offers water resistance and a breathable surface.

The ones that come with durable water repellent coating may not be machine washable, just check the care label.

DWR layer tends to get damaged in a regular detergent, therefore you must avoid washing any DWR fabric with regular detergents.

How to Machine Wash a North Face Jacket?

North Face jackets can be washed in a washing machine as far as the instructions in the care label recommend this practice.

For some jackets, the material types may not be suitable for machine washing, so you can treat them as suggested in the care label.

Note: Some jackets are suitable for dry cleaning only. Therefore, you should take them to a professional dry cleaner.

Below are the steps listed to wash North Face Jackets using the washing machine.

Safety instructions before wash

Read the care label
Empty the pockets and make sure they do not contain any elements or sharp objects during the wash.
Zip your jacket including all the pockets if applicable. Some jackets include velcro for locking and a few may have a combination of both. Simply make sure to secure them as a safety precaution before washing them.

Pre-Treating stains / Excess dirt

Pre-treatment helps to remove excess dirt or spot clean any stains from the surface of the jacket.

This step becomes important in order to eliminate stubborn stains during the main wash cycle.

For excess dirt accumulation

Fill a sink or basin with water and add a mild detergent to it.
Place the jacket in the sink and let it submerge in the detergent water (water mixed with liquid detergent). Let it settle for 15 minutes with the mixture of water and detergent.
During the settling time, make sure you swirl the jacket in forward and reverse motions for a minute or so.
Rinse the jacket with clean water, turn it inside out, and put it in the washer for washing.

Spot cleaning stains

Apply a liquid stain remover over the stained surface and spread it evenly using your fingers.
Add a few drops of water and use a sponge or a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently rub over the stained area.
Wipe it off using a paper towel or place a cloth to soak over the worked area.
For stubborn stains, you can repeat the above step before you put the jacket in the washing machine.
If the stain has lightened, you can simply apply liquid detergent over the surface and leave it for 15 minutes before putting it in for washing.

Note: If you don’t have a stain remover handy, you can make your own detergent-based solution. Simply pour some detergent into a bowl of water and mix it thoroughly. Your custom stain remover is ready.

Machine washing Instructions

Instructions to machine wash the North Face jacket.

Step 1: Load the jacket into the washing machine

Place your jacket in the washing machine.

For optimum wash results and better cleaning, avoid overloading. Instead, load fewer garments to allow room during the wash.

Note: Reverse the jacket inside out before placing it in the washing machine.

Step 2: Add mild detergent

Use a mild detergent liquid or a high-quality powder for optimum results. You can also use a natural detergent to wash your jacket as it is gentle on fabrics.

As an add-on, you can include a cup of distilled white vinegar or baking soda (diluted in water) during the wash.

Step 3: Use suitable water temperature from the settings

For water settings, the preferred temperature should be cold or warm in most cases.

If the garment care label suggests setting hot water, then do it from the menu.

Step 4: Run the washer with a low spin speed setting

Set the spin cycle to low or medium speed from the settings menu and run the cycle.

Low spin speeds will help to avoid tangling with other garments or their long sleeves during the wash cycle.

Step 5: Repeat the Rinse cycle

Using an additional rinse cycle or extra rinse function will eliminate excess foam or detergent residue from the jacket’s surface.

Step 6: Drying process

To dry the jackets, do not alter the methods and simply follow the care label instructions.

If the care label recommends machine drying, always use low heat settings to maintain the quality of the fabric. Make use of dryer balls in the dryer to reduce the drying duration of your jacket.

If you are unsure about the drying process and if you are not able to find much information about drying, stick to the air-drying process, i.e., to naturally air dry the jackets by hanging them on a clothesline.

Note: Do not attempt to squeeze the jackets hard to remove excess water before air drying. Turn the jacket upside down and lay it over a clothesline in an adequately ventilated area.

To dry them naturally and in a short time, simply reverse the jacket after 30 minutes of hanging while you dry them over the clothesline.

Alternatively, you can lay them flat on a drying rack evenly so that the jacket’s surface is aired from all around.

How to Hand-Wash a North Face Jacket?

Hand-Washing is the safest and most efficient method to wash any garment, including your favorite North Face jacket.

To hand wash your jacket, you should use warm water and mild detergent.

After you pre-treat the jacket, you can now continue washing it in the sink.

Fill the sink with cold or warm water and add a mild detergent powder. Let the powder mix well with water before you load the jacket.
Place the jacket in the solution and let it sit submerged in the water for about 10 minutes.
Swirl and swish the jacket for a couple of minutes, then repeat the step at short intervals.
Work on the stained areas and overall surface area using a sponge.
Drain the used water from the sink and fill it with clean water to rinse the jacket thoroughly.
If the soapy film remains on the jacket, then simply repeat the rinse process.
Do not squeeze your jacket to drain the water. Instead, hang it over the shower line to drain excess water.
Lay a towel over the clothesline and then place the jacket above it to air dry naturally.

How often should you wash North Face jackets?

It’s recommended to wash your North Face jackets at least 2 to 3 times a month if you wear them less frequently, and once a week if you wear them too frequently. With that said, you may need to increase the washing frequency if you have pets at home.

Final Thoughts

The bottom line is that North Face jackets are made of different materials and for different purposes. Therefore, the washing process may vary depending on the fabric type and the make.

Some are machine washable, whereas some are recommended to be hand washed.

It is therefore recommended to read the care label carefully before deciding the right approach to washing them.

If you are unsure about the care label instructions, simply wash your jacket by hand and use cold or warm water to wash it.

Furthermore, when it comes to drying, dryer balls are a great way to remove excess water from jackets while drying.

And if you are confused with the drying process, air-drying is considered to be the safest.

Lastly, do not use any harsh chemicals during the wash, and also avoid using bleach-based detergents.

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