Whether you are a skier or just live in a cold climate, heated jackets are must have in your winter wardrobe. Heated jackets could be pricey, but they are worth it. They help you stay warm and cozy even when it is freezing cold. But just like any piece of clothing, heated jackets must be regularly washed to maintain quality and functionality.
Washing a heated jacket might seem daunting at first, but it could become straightforward with proper instructions and care.
This article will guide you through the steps necessary to properly wash a heated jacket without damaging it. We’ll cover both hand washing and machine washing methods, along with tips for prolonging its lifespan by properly caring for and maintaining it.
Let’s begin!
Preparing the Heated Jacket for Washing
Batteries power heated jackets and have wiring and heated elements spread across the jacket. If you are not careful in washing, you may damage the wiring or heated elements. Therefore, before you begin washing the jacket, you need to first prepare the jacket for cleaning to avoid potential damages or malfunctions during the washing process.
a. Read the Label
Your heated jacket’s care label provides vital information regarding how best to care for it. Read and adhere to its instructions closely - if the label recommends dry cleaning only, do not attempt home laundering of it yourself.
b. Extracting the Battery
Your heated jacket’s battery provides power for its heating elements and can become damaged when exposed to water, which makes removing it an essential step before washing your jacket. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safely disposing of its contents.
c. Checking for Damages
As mentioned earlier, heated elements are spread across the jacket and are connected with wires. All the electronic elements used in the jacket are waterproof and properly tucked, but with use, they can loosen up, the wires could tear up, and heated elements could become naked. Therefore, it is crucial that you thoroughly inspect the jacket for signs of wear and tear, loose wires, etc., and repair them to avoid further damage during the washing process.
Hand-Washing Heated Jackets
When it comes to cleaning heated jackets safely and responsibly, hand washing is by far the safest approach. By being in control of the process and minimizing potential damages to wiring and battery components. Here are the steps for hand-washing heated jackets:
a. Fill a Basin With Warm Water And Mild Detergent
Fill a basin with lukewarm water and add some detergent to it. If the water is too hot, it could damage the fabric, wiring, and heated elements. Similarly, you should also avoid using bleach, as it would destroy the jacket’s fabric.
b. Soaking Your Jacket for 10-15 Minutes (option 1)
Once you have set up the basin and inspected the jacket for damages, you can go ahead and soak the jacket for about 10 to 15 minutes. The detergent will work on the stains and dirt and cleanse your jacket.
c. Gently Scrubbing the Jacket With a Soft-Bristled Brush
Now take the jacket out and gently scrub it with a soft-bristled brush. If you are not gentle with the scrubbing, you may damage the heating elements or the wiring, so be gentle.
d. Rinsing Your Jacket Off with Clean Water
Once you are finished scrubbing, thoroughly rinse the jacket under clean water to eliminate any residue left by the detergent.
e. Squeezing Out Excess Water
Twisting and wringing is the usual way of extracting water from washed clothes, but you cannot do that to your heated jacket—it will ruin the jacket. Instead, you can gently press the heated jacket against the basin to extract the water. You could also use a towel to extract maximum moisture from the jacket.
Simply lay the jacket on a dry, clean towel and roll them together tightly. This way, the towel will absorb the maximum amount of water from the jacket. If you have another dry towel, you can repeat the process with it.
Machine-Washing Heated Jackets
While machine-washing your heated jacket may be more convenient than hand washing, there is also an increased risk of damaging its wiring or heated elements. To lower that risk and ensure the best outcome, continue reading.
|
Caution! Only machine-wash your heated jacket if the label says it can withstand machine cleaning. |
Prepare the Jacket for Washing
To begin with, you should check the label to ensure that the heated jacket can withstand machine cleaning and follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding removing the battery. After that, you should thoroughly inspect the jacket for wear and tear, holes, loose and naked wires, etc.
Place Your Heated Jacket In A Mesh Laundry Bag
Once you have inspected and addressed issues (if any) with the jacket, you can go ahead and put the jacket in a mesh laundry bag. You might want to throw the jacket directly in the machine but know that this would increase the risk of the jacket being caught or tangled up in the machine.
Select an Appropriate Washing Cycle and Temperature
To ensure the washing machine does not damage your jacket, choose a gentle cycle and use cold water. Hot water and high spin cycles could damage the electronic components of the jacket and its fabric.
Using Mild Detergent
Use only mild detergent to wash your heated jacket, and avoid using bleach or fabric softeners, as they can damage the wiring or heated elements. If there are any stubborn stains, you can spot-clean them with your hand.
Line Dry the Jacket
Once the washing cycle is over, remove your jacket from its mesh bag and hang it on a clothesline to air dry naturally. Never use a dry or spinner. Also, avoid twisting and wringing the jacket, as it could damage the wiring and heated elements.
By following these steps, you will be able to safely machine wash your heated jacket without risking damage. However, hand washing remains the safer method of cleansing it.
Caring and Maintaining Your Heated Jacket
To extend the lifespan of your heated jacket, taking proper care should be paramount. Here are some practical tips:
1. Storing Your Heated Jacket Properly
To properly store your heated jacket, keep it in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight or damp environments, which could potentially harm the wiring or battery.
2. Charging Your Battery Regularly
To extend the battery’s lifespan in your heated jacket, charge it according to its manufacturer’s recommendations regularly. Overcharging or leaving it on the charger for too long could significantly damage its cells and decrease its life span.
3. Conduct Regular Inspections
It is wise to inspect your heated jacket on an ongoing basis for signs of damage, such as tears or loose wires, to detect and repair them as soon as possible to protect the fabric or wiring and avoid further complications in its lifecycle. If any are detected, act quickly on repairs immediately to minimize further harm.
4. Avoid Extreme Temperatures
To extend the life of your heated jacket and protect its wiring or battery, avoid exposure to direct sunlight or hot temperatures that could damage its wiring or battery. Doing this could damage both components, shorten their lifespan, and compromise their performance.
5. Following Care Instructions
To maintain optimal care of your heated jacket, always refer to its care instructions from its manufacturer. If dry cleaning only is recommended on its label, do not attempt to wash your heated jacket at home. Similarly, do not put the jacket in the machine if machine-washing is prohibited.
Final Verdict: How to Wash Heated Jacket?
Cleaning your heated jacket requires extra care due to the wiring and battery components. Hand washing is usually best; if machine washing is allowed, please follow all recommended steps to avoid damaging its wiring or heated elements.
Proper care of your heated jacket will extend its lifespan. Make sure to store it properly, charge it regularly, check for damages, avoid hot temperatures, and follow all manufacturer care instructions.
