When worn, Sherpa Jackets give a warm fuzzy feeling, especially during cold seasons. Their fleece-like side helps to trap warm air and body heat. They are also not as heavy as other wool jackets.
However, the same properties that make Sherpa Jackets so comfortable can make them difficult to wash. This article will show you how to wash your Sherpa Jacket without ruining it. You will also learn to restore your Sherpa Jacket if it has matted.
How to Wash Your Sherpa Jacket
There are three ways to wash your Sherpa Jacket safely. You can hand wash them, use a washing machine or spot clean them.
Before washing your Sherpa Jacket, make sure to check and obey the specific fabric care instructions on the jacket. If there is none, ensure you use a mild detergent or dish soap to protect the fabric.
How to Handwash Your Sherpa Jacket
Handwashing your Sherpa Jacket is one of the safest ways to remove stains from your jacket, and this method cuts down on the friction the fabric sustains during laundry.
Excessive friction causes tiny thread bobbles called pills to form on the surface of the fleece material.
To handwash your Sherpa Jacket, you need the following materials.
- You can also use a shallow tub or bowl (you can also use your kitchen sink).
- Cold water
- Mild detergent
Process of Handwashing Sherpa Jacket
Follow the steps below to hand wash your jacket safely:
Step one: Fill the shallow tub with cold water. Avoid using hot or warm water as this would destroy your jacket.
Step Two: Soak the Jacket in the filled tub, then add a few drops of mild detergent or dish soap. The detergent must work in cold water.
Step Three: Gently rub the jacket with both hands, concentrating on any stained parts.
Step Four: Squeeze the Jacket by gently pressing it between both hands. After that, flap it several times to remove excess moisture from the jacket. Air dry jacket carefully.
How to Wash Your Sherpa Jacket Using a Washing Machine
You have to be very careful when using your washing machine to wash your Sherpa Jacket. Washing machines can cause excessive friction that can damage the jacket’s fleece.
Pre-treating your Sherpa Jacket for Your Washing Machine
Before putting your Sherpa Jacket into a washing machine, pre-treat the jacket and your machine for the task.
Pre-Treating Sherpa Jacket With Oily Stains
If there is an oily stain on your jacket, you can pre-treat it with the following steps:
Step One: Drop a small amount of mild soap directly on the jacket and allow it to soak for ten minutes.
You can use dish soap or a good stain remover for non-oily stains because they are mild and work well.
Step Two: Blot the stain with a clean paper towel. Do not rub the towel on the stain, as this will cause the stain to spread deeper into the fabric.
Step Three: Add a few more drops to the stained part and gently jab with a fresh paper towel.
Step Four: Rinse the stained areas under cool running water.
Pre-Treating Your Sherpa Jacket With Non-oily Stain
Follow the steps below to pre-treat Sherpa Jacket with oily stains:
Step One: If the stain is fresh, blot the stain with a clean paper towel. If the stain is dried in, skip this process.
Step Two: Sprinkle a light covering of either baby powder or cornstarch to soak up the stain.
Step Three: Gently rub the powder on the fabric’s surface and allow the powder to stay overnight.
Step Four: Shake the Jacket over your bathtub or sink to remove the dry powder. You can use a vacuum cleaner with a nozzle to suck up the powder if one is available.
Your jacket is now ready for the washing machine.
Washing Your Sherpa Jacket With Your Washing Machine Steps
You have to be very cautious when using a washing machine to wash a Sherpa Jacket. Follow the instructions below carefully:
Step One: Set the machine to a delicate or gentle cycle. You can also set it to permanent press.
Step Two: Put only your Sherpa Jacket into the washing machine. Do not mix with any other clothing or fabric.
This is to avoid increased friction in the machine or staining by other dyed fabrics.
Step Three: Add a mild detergent, preferably liquid, as powdered detergents can stick to the sherpa fabric instead of dissolving.
Step Four: Turn on the machine and allow it to go through its regular cycles.
Note: Do not use any bleaching product or undiluted fabric softener when washing your Sherpa Jacket, and they tend to cling to synthetic fibres and cause matting.
How to Spot Clean Your Sherpa Jacket
It is also possible to spot clean your jacket without soaking them in a tub or putting them in a washing machine. Here are the steps:
Step One: If the stain is fresh, place a clean paper towel and dab it firmly. Do not rub the stain, so it doesn’t get deeper into the fabric.
Step Two: Soak the stain with a mild soap or stain remover for about 10 minutes. Spread the soap around all stains.
Step Three: Use a toothbrush or a soft sponge to scrub the stained area in small circles to remove soap and stain.
The toothbrush should have soft bristles, so it doesn’t damage your jacket.
Step Four: Rinse only the stained area in cold water to ensure that no soap residue is left on it.
Note: Your Sherpa Jacket would last longer if you don’t wash it too often. If the stains are little, spot cleaning is your best option.
How to Dry Your Sherpa Jacket
Dryers are bad news for sherpa jackets. The heat damages the fleece. In addition, the heat could cause any stray residue on the jacket to harden and leave a permanent mark.
It is best to air dry your jacket, but you must do it properly to get the best possible results.
You can air-dry by using a hanger. Fluff the jacket several times to make sure it is completely straight, put on a hanger, and place it on an airline exposed to sunlight.
You can also use a drying rack, which is the best recommendation. Lay the jacket as flat as possible on the drying rack to prevent creasing or denting of the fabric.
Place the rack in the corner of your home exposed to the most sunlight. Air drying can take as long as five hours.
How to Restore Your Matted Sherpa Jacket
Sometimes, you will find that your Sherpa Jacket becomes matted and pilled despite your best effort. Don’t despair; you can fix it using any of the following methods:
Using a Brittle Brush and Diluted Fabric Softener
Fabric softener is harsh on Sherpa, but if it is diluted with water and used in small amounts, it can help you fight matting and pilling.
Spread the jacket on a flat surface. Put the diluted softener in a spray bottle. Spray softly on the jacket while using your bristle brush to run gently across the sprayed surface.
Your jacket will eventually return to its original fluffy state.
Using a Disposable Razor
This is a tricky way of curing matting and pilling, but it still works if done right.
Spread the jacket on a flat surface, and run a small disposable razor against the grain of the fabric. Start very gently until you feel the kind of pressure you need.
After you’ve accumulated a bunch of pills, use a piece of tape to get the balls of the pills out of the jacket. Your jacket will be as good as new!
.