Spot-treat stains
Kid spilled jelly on the front of their fleece jacket (or your fleece pants)? Cover the spot with a stain remover, laundry detergent or mild dish soap, and then soak the fleece in cold water for 15 minutes. After it’s had time to treat the stain, take an old cloth and blot to help absorb the substance.
Keep fleece separate
It’s tempting to put your fleece throws in the wash with your other living room blankets, but keep fleece separate from other items. This will help prevent lint and dust from collecting on the fleece. Be sure to pair similar fleece pieces together, separating garments from heavier items like blankets. Turn any pieces of clothing — fleece beanies, gloves or sweatshirts — inside out before throwing them in the machine.
Handle with care
Use a mild, bleach-free detergent and a gentle cycle with cool water temps, and skip the fabric softener. If your fleece jackets have seen many outdoor football games or bonfires, they may not smell so great, so consider adding half a cup to a cup of vinegar to the wash cycle. If you’re nervous about ruining your fleece in the washing machine, hand-washing is always a great option; this also cuts down on any potential pilling.
Fluff it up
To keep higher-nap fleece pieces looking new, remove from the washing machine while wet, and use a fleece brush to gently revive the fibers.
Take a no-heat approach
Does fleece shrink? While it’s actually a pretty shrink-resistant material, avoid washing on hot water or running on high heat. If your fleece is dryer-safe, consider a no-heat setting to preserve the integrity of the garment. When in doubt, air-dry your fleece.
Skip the dryer sheets
Like fabric softener and high heat, dryer sheets can damage your fleece.
Roll it out
Use a lint roller to remove any fibers or pet hair stuck to the outside of the fleece.
