Care guide
Dry clean or wash your jacket yourself?
Not every jacket can go straight into the washing machine, but not every jacket needs dry cleaning either. With the right approach, your jacket stays looking good, water-repellent and supple for longer.
When is dry cleaning the safer choice?
Dry cleaning is often the safer choice for:
Down can clump or lose insulating power if washed incorrectly.
Complex water-repellent membranes are sensitive to damage in the machine.
These materials need specialised cleaning.
Does the label say "dry clean only"? Follow that advice.
When can you simply wash a jacket yourself?
Many jackets with synthetic fill and an ordinary shell fabric (polyester or nylon without a delicate coating) can safely go in the washing machine, provided the care label allows it. Wash on a low, cold cycle, close all zippers, and use a small amount of mild detergent without fabric softener. Then let the jacket air dry.
Maintaining the water-repellent coating
The water-repellent layer (often a DWR coating) on a jacket wears off over time and after several washes. You'll notice this when rain no longer beads off but instead soaks into the fabric, making it dark and wet.
Always follow the instructions from the manufacturer of your waterproofing product as well as your jacket's care label; these can vary between jackets.
Keeping zippers running smoothly
Sand, salt and dirt are a zipper's biggest enemies. Rinse zippers with clean water after a day at the beach or after road salt, and let them dry. Is a zipper sticking? Don't force it — apply a little zipper lubricant, silicone spray, or a small dab of candle wax to the teeth. Always close zippers before washing or storing the jacket; this prevents unnecessary strain.
Do you have a heated Gløde jacket?
An electrically heated jacket has a battery or power bank as well, which calls for slightly different steps than an ordinary winter coat. See our dedicated guide: washing and caring for a heated jacket.
Considering buying a heated jacket instead? Here's Gløde's Pølar women's parka:
Quick advice
Not sure? Check the care label first. Down, coatings and special materials usually belong at the dry cleaner; ordinary synthetic jackets can often just be washed yourself on a low temperature.
