Columbia Jackets are high-quality outdoor wear designed to withstand harsh weather conditions. They are appealing and functional and come in various fabric types based on user intent and purpose.
Although a Columbia jacket won’t disintegrate as quickly as other shirts, dresses, etc., its durability depends on how well you take care of and maintain it. Mishandling your Columbia jacket can lead to its deterioration and odor development.
Luckily, there is a simple procedure to ensure you wash your Columbia jacket in a way that protects and preserves its extended lifespan.
Washing a Columbia Jacket
Washing your Columbia jacket can preserve its water repellency.
Many Columbia jackets exist like fleece, down insulation, rain jackets, etc. Before washing your Columbia jacket, check the attached care label to ensure you’re following the unique wash procedure.
Prep the Columbia Jacket
Assuming you have one Columbia jacket, you will wash it separately from other laundry loads. But, if you have multiple jackets, place ones of similar colors and types together. For example, wash fleece jackets together and down insulations in a separate load.
Placing these Columbia jackets together will cause unnecessary rubbing and friction, which will cause pilling or tears.
Check the pockets of the Columbia jacket and empty them to avoid losing items in the wash that can damage the washer or tear the jacket lining.
Close all zippers and buttons because when the Columbia jacket is spinning in the washer, the zipper can catch on it and rip it open.
Remove Stains from the Columbia Jacket
The Columbia jacket should spend a short time in the washer to reduce the agitation and stress it handles. Too much agitation will subsequently damage it and reduce its lifespan.
When there are stains on the Columbia jacket, don’t be tempted to wash it off in the washer, but remove it beforehand. Pre-treating the stained area will ensure that the jacket spends the required time in the washer.
It is easier to spot clean stains the instant they happen before they have a chance to dry in the fabric.
Spot Cleaning Procedure:
- Lay your Columbia jacket on a flat surface for better visibility.
- Remove excess stains with a paper towel or spoon.
- Pour a suitable stain remover or a mild detergent on the stained area.
- Work the treatment into the stained area with your finger.
- Leave the treatment to soak for five to ten minutes.
- Gently scrub the stained area with a cotton bud or a soft brush.
- Rinse it out of the jacket without wetting the unstained areas.
- Air-dry the Columbia jacket.
When the stains are tougher on the Columbia jacket, you should pre-soak it in cold water and a mild detergent solution for thirty minutes before washing the jacket.
Choosing Detergent and Other Laundry Additives
When washing your Columbia jacket, less is more. Avoid any laundry additives like bleach and fabric softener; they can damage the protective coating.
Use a mild laundry detergent. Usually, people discourage using powdered detergent because it may leave residue on the jacket that can irritate the skin.
However, in this instance, since the detergent barely penetrates the fabric, you can use powdered detergent as long as you rinse the jacket.
Always check the detergent’s label to ensure you use the correct amount when washing because too much will cause damage and irritation.
Machine Wash the Columbia Jacket
Ensure your Columbia jacket is machine-washable – by checking the care label – before putting it in the washer.
Procedure:
- Brush away the caked mud or debris from the Columbia jacket.
- Don’t exert too much force, or you might damage the jacket. If the dirt refuses to come off when you’re brushing, follow the stain removal procedure to spot clean or soak before washing.
- Select the gentle/delicate wash cycle on a front-loading washer. This setting uses a slow spin speed and short wash periods, and the front-loading washer doesn’t have extra agitation, which is the perfect setting for washing your Columbia jacket.
- A top-loader washer without the center agitation can be suitable to wash a Columbia jacket. Check the manual of your high-efficiency washers to ensure it is safe to wash the jacket because the water repellent properties can interfere with its functionality.
- Refer to the care label for the water temperature to select, but the default is cold water. Hot water can damage the surface of the Columbia jacket.
- Pour the correct amount of mild non-toxic laundry detergent into the washer.
- Before placing the Columbia jacket into the washer, close the zippers, buttons, velcro, etc., to avoid unintentionally causing damage. Remove the attachments and put them in a mesh laundry bag before loading them with the jacket.
- Turn the Columbia jacket inside out and balance it in the washer to allow movement, which will lead to better results.
- Start the wash cycle, and if possible, select an extra rinse cycle to ensure the removal of detergent residue afterward.
- When the wash cycle ends, remove the Columbia jacket immediately to prevent color bleeding or wrinkling.
- Air-dry the jacket.
Hand Wash the Columbia Jacket
Hand washing is a suitable alternative if you’re unsure or uncomfortable with placing your Columbia jacket in the washer. It is more labor-intensive than machine washing, but you will get similar results.
Procedure:
- Brush away the caked mud or debris from the Columbia jacket.
- Don’t exert too much force, or you might damage the jacket. If the dirt refuses to come off when you’re brushing, follow the stain removal procedure to spot clean or soak before washing.
- Fill a sizable bowl or a bathtub with cold water, but ensure it is clean beforehand.
- Refer to the care label for the water temperature to select, but the default is cold water. Hot water can damage the surface of the Columbia jacket.
- Pour the correct amount of mild non-toxic laundry detergent into the container.
- Before placing the Columbia jacket into the water, close the zippers, buttons, velcro, etc., and turn it inside out to avoid unintentionally causing damage.
- Submerge the Columbia jacket into the soapy water and allow it to soak for 20 minutes.
- Gently wash the jacket with little force and agitation.
- Drain the water and rinse the Columbia jacket with clean cold water till the water runs clear and there are no soap suds left.
- Don’t squeeze or wring the jacket, but gently press it to remove the excess water.
- Air-dry the jacket.
How to Dry Columbia Jacket
Dry the Columbia jacket immediately after washing because leaving it wet for an extended period can cause severe damage, especially to the water repellent layer.
Air-Dry the Columbia Jacket
Hanging the Columbia jacket to air-dry is the better drying method. You can also lay it flat if you’re worried about the fabric weakening or the jacket’s structure damaging.
Spread the Columbia jacket on a clothesline outside but avoid direct sunlight because heat can damage the water-repellent lining.
However, if you’re air-drying indoors, use a dryer rack in a well-ventilated room. Place the drying rack close to a fan for faster drying.
Tumble Drying the Columbia Jacket
You might not have access to outside drying, or maybe you prefer using a dryer, but it is possible to tumble dry your Columbia jacket.
Turn the Columbia jacket inside out before placing it in the dryer to protect the surface from stress and heat. Select a low heat setting or use “air-fluff” to reduce the heat in the dryer.
After tumble drying, hang the Columbia jacket to air-dry for better results, although this step is optional.