Fleece is one of the most practical materials in outdoor clothing - lightweight, warm and breathable across a wide range of conditions. Most fleece garments are straightforward to wash, but a few details make the difference between a jacket that stays soft and functional for years and one that pills, flattens or loses its feel after a handful of washes. This guide covers everything: how to wash a fleece jacket correctly, how to dry it, how to deal with pilling and how to restore the fluffy texture when it starts to fade. The same care principles apply to fleece trousers and other fleece garments.

In this Guide

Before You Wash: Pre-Treating Stains
How to Wash a Fleece Jacket: Step by Step
The Guppyfriend: Washing with Less Environmental Impact
How to Dry a Fleece Jacket
Pilling: How to Prevent and Remove It
How to Make a Fleece Jacket Fluffy Again
FAQ

Before You Wash: Pre-Treating Stains

Grease and dirt stains are easier to remove when treated before the main wash cycle rather than after.

Dampen the stained area generously with lukewarm water.
Work a small amount of washing-up liquid into the stain.
Wash the garment immediately afterwards in the machine.

How to Wash a Fleece Jacket: Step by Step

Check the care label before the first wash - it confirms the maximum temperature and any programme restrictions for your specific garment. In most cases, a gentle cycle at around 30°C works well for all fleece types, from classic softfleece to waffle, stretch and Sherpa constructions.

1. Empty all pockets.

2. Close all zips and Velcro fastenings.

3. Turn the garment inside out - this reduces friction on the outer surface and helps prevent pilling.

4. Use a mild functional detergent such as Universal Cleaner Plus, formulated for technical outdoor clothing. It cleans thoroughly without damaging the fibre structure.

5. Never use fabric softener - it coats the fibres and reduces breathability over time.

6. Select a gentle or delicates cycle at 30°C.

6. Spin at 600 to 800 rpm - a faster spin puts unnecessary stress on the fabric.

The Guppyfriend: Washing with Less Environmental Impact

Synthetic fleece sheds tiny fibres during every wash cycle. These microfibres are too small to be filtered by standard wastewater systems and can accumulate in rivers and oceans. A Guppyfriend wash bag catches them before they reach the drain.

Here's how to use it:

Place the fleece garment inside the Guppyfriend before loading the machine.
Wash as normal - the fine mesh captures microfibres as they shed.
After the wash, remove any fibre residue from inside the bag and dispose of it in the household waste - not down the drain.

As a side effect, the Guppyfriend reduces fibre abrasion during the wash, which means less pilling and a softer feel for longer.

How to Dry a Fleece Jacket

Fleece is one of the easiest materials to dry. In most cases, the garment already feels nearly dry when it comes out of the machine.

Do not tumble dry and do not dry on a radiator.
Heat can damage the fibre structure and reduce the soft texture permanently.

Hang the garment on a drying rack or washing line for one to two hours. That is usually all it takes.

Pilling: How to Prevent and Remove It

Pilling - the small fibre knots that form on the surface of fleece after repeated use and washing - is a normal characteristic of synthetic fabrics. It does not affect the garment's warmth or breathability, but it does affect how it looks and feels.

Prevent

Turn the garment inside out before every wash
Use a Guppyfriend wash bag to reduce fibre abrasion
Keep spin speed at 600 to 800 rpm
Wash at low temperatures - 30°C

Remove

Use a fabric shaver for larger areas
Use a pilling comb for smaller, more precise areas
Work gently across the surface - avoid pulling at the fabric
Wash afterwards to remove any loose fibre residue

How to Make a Fleece Jacket Fluffy Again

Over time, fleece naturally loses some of its soft, fluffy texture through regular use, washing and the gradual ageing of the fibres. This is normal - and partially reversible.

A short tumble dryer cycle at low heat helps to lift the fibres and restore some of the original soft feel:

After washing, hang the garment to air dry briefly - around 30 minutes on a rack.
Place it in the tumble dryer at a low temperature and low drum speed.
Remove after a few minutes - do not run a full drying cycle.

The brief heat and movement lift the flattened fibres without putting them under sustained stress. The result is a noticeably softer feel, ready for the next outing.

The right care products for your fleece jacket

Universal Cleaner Plus is formulated for technical outdoor clothing and rinses out fully without leaving residue on the fibres.

01/03

UNIVERSAL CLEANER PLUS

€20,00

Frequently asked Questions

Not as a standard drying method - heat can damage the fibre structure over time. The exception is the fluffy-again technique described above: a short cycle at low heat and low speed for a few minutes helps lift the fibres after washing. Remove the garment promptly and do not run a full drying cycle.

Pilling is caused by friction between fibres during wear and washing. It is a normal characteristic of synthetic fabrics. To reduce it, always turn the garment inside out before washing and use a Guppyfriend wash bag. To remove existing pilling, use a fabric shaver or pilling comb across the affected areas.

No. Unlike waterproof membranes and DWR-coated outer fabrics, fleece does not require reproofing. It has no water-repellent finish to restore - its function comes from the fibre structure itself, which is maintained through correct washing and drying.

Only when necessary - when the garment is visibly dirty or has absorbed odours that airing out cannot remove. Frequent washing accelerates pilling and fibre wear. Spot cleaning small stains before a full wash extends the time between wash cycles.

No. Fabric softener coats the fibres and reduces breathability over time. Use a mild functional detergent instead - Universal Cleaner Plus is formulated specifically for technical outdoor clothing and is safe for all fleece types.

Yes. The same care principles apply to fleece trousers and any other fleece garment - the material, wash settings and drying method are identical regardless of the product type.

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