Close all zippers. I mean all of them. You don’t want a rogue zipper teeth tearing up the inside of your jacket during the spin cycle. Also, check the pockets. I once found an old granola bar wrapper that turned into a million tiny pieces in the wash. It was like glitter, but less fun. Empty those pockets.
If your jacket has a hood with a drawstring, tie it in a loose knot. That way, the cord won’t get tangled around the agitator like a spaghetti monster. You want your jacket to come out looking like a jacket, not a modern art project.
Washing: The Gentle Cycle is Your Friend
Set your machine to a cold, gentle cycle. Hot water is the enemy of synthetic fabrics—it melts them. Literally. Okay, not literally, but it damages the fibers. Use a small amount of mild detergent (the stuff for delicates works great). Don’t overload the machine; give your jacket room to breathe.
How Do You Wash A Patagonia Jacket | Detroit Chinatown
For down jackets, you might need a special down-specific soap. Regular detergent strips the natural oils from the feathers, leaving your jacket smelling like a wet dog. Trust me, I learned this the hard way. My jacket smelled like regret for a week.
Rinse and Repeat? No, Just Rinse
After the cycle, run an extra rinse cycle. I know, it’s annoying, but it gets all the soap residue out. Soap residue attracts dirt faster than a spilled soda attracts ants. Your jacket will stay cleaner longer if you take this one extra step.
