Let’s get to the point immediately: the answer is yes, you can wash a heated jacket. The type of jacket doesn’t matter; whether it’s a vest or a hoodie, you can wash it. The best way to take care of your gear is to wash it since it is a must for maintaining it in a good state. The essential thing is to do it in a way that the electronics inside will be protected.
Two methods of washing jackets that are safe to use have been found by us: hand washing and machine washing. By adhering to the guidelines, your vest can be good as new for several years. Here are the paramount rules to be kept in mind before washing:
- Always detach the battery pack before washing it.
- Always avoid wringing or twisting the jacket.
- A cycle with high heat is not recommended for the dryer.
Things to Do Before You Wash: 4 Mandatory Preparing Steps
Before your jacket sees any water, you must complete this prep checklist. Bypassing these tasks means you are looking for damage that is likely to be irreversible. This is the key part of the acquired knowledge on how to wash the heated jacket right.
1. Disconnect and Remove the Power Source
This step is the most critical of all. Unplug the battery from the inside the jacket connector cable. Remove the battery completely. Store it in a dry location.
Here’s what we’ve learned from experience: the next part is equally important. Find the power connector cable. Store it back in its designated pocket securely. Close that pocket to prevent access. This will keep the metal connector from getting caught in the fabric or damaged during the wash.
2. Check the Care Label
Always read the care label on your jacket which is provided by the manufacturer. Guidelines in this guide cover the overall best practices, but various materials may need special treatment. The label is the only one that has a final decision.
3. Spot Clean First
You don’t always need a full wash for minor spills or dirt patches. Spot cleaning is gentler on your heated jacket. Simply use a damp cloth with a tiny bit of mild detergent to gently scrub the dirty area. This helps preserve heating elements from premature aging.
4. Zip All Zippers and Empty Pockets
Zip the main zipper, pocket zippers, and any vents. This simple step acts as a preventive measure against the metal or plastic teeth of the washing machine catching the jacket’s outer shell. But more importantly, it also protects the delicate system of internal wiring. Check all pockets thoroughly if they are empty.
Getting Familiar with Your Heated Jacket’s Construction (And Why It Matters)
To clean a heated jacket properly, it helps to be aware of the composition. All jackets consist of three fundamental components: the outer shell, which includes the insulation, and the heating system. The latter is the one that deserves special mention.
The Sensitive Heating System
The heating is achieved through incredibly fine, flexible heating elements that are usually made of carbon fiber or microminiature wires intertwined into the fabric. They are commonly integrated into the front, back, and sometimes the collar area.
Heating systems are designed to be durable when used as recommended. Their expanding capabilities are vulnerable to three principal threats: physical damage (like wringing), high temperatures, and harsh chemicals. The duration that these components will serve often relies on the quality of the manufacturing process. Designer wear buffs would find it interesting to note that the high standards set by a professional clothing manufacturer in this area prove the reasoning behind quality construction being a requisite for specialty garments.
The Safest Way: How to Hand Wash a Heated Jacket
Do you want to go for the least risky method? Hand washing is the best pick as the winner. It gives you full control over everything, including the process. The interlacing wires will never experience dangerous mechanical forces. Experts unanimously confirm that Hand washing is the safest and most effective way to clean a heated jacket.
Step 1: Prepare Your Sink and Detergent
Fill a suitably clean sink with cold or lukewarm water. Hot water deters the water-resistant coatings on the fabric and puts the electronics at risk. Add a small amount of mild, liquid detergent. Avoid bleach or fabric softeners. They can disintegrate the materials and damage the wiring insulation.
Step 2: Submerge and Gently Clean
Place the jacket into the water. Gently press it down so that it is fully submerged. Use your hands to slowly move the water around the jacket. For places like cuffs or collars that are more to heavily soiled parts, you can use a soft cloth to wash the surface lightly. Do not rub harshly.
Step 3: Rinse Thoroughly
Empty the basin of soapy water. Refill it with clean, cool water. Gently squeeze the jacket to rid it of soap. Repeat this rinsing process until the water no longer shows any suds and runs clear. Residue soap can irritate your skin and decrease the fabric’s breathability.
Step 4: Remove Excess Water (Gently!)
This step is paramount. Lift the jacket from the water, supporting its entire weight. With utmost gentleness, squeeze the water out, by going section by section. Alternatively, you could lay it flat on a thick towel and roll up the towel, pressing down to absorb more water. Absolutely never wring or twist your jacket. Carbon fiber heating elements could be easily damaged this way.
The Convenient Method: How to Machine Wash a Heated Jacket
If the care tag on your jacket indicates that it is machine washable, you can use this easier method. However, you must follow specific steps to ensure electronics are safe during cleaning.
Step 1: Use a Mesh Laundry Bag
This is not optional. Place the prepared jacket (battery removed, all zippers closed) inside a large mesh laundry bag. This bag will keep the jacket from becoming tangled, stretched, or getting snagged on the washing machine drum.
Step 2: Choose the Right Machine Settings
Set your washing machine to the gentlest setting. This could be referred to as “Gentle,” “Delicate,” or “Hand Wash.” The most important thing is to Use a gentle cycle with cold water. Cold water is key to avoiding damage to the heating elements and any waterproof membranes present on the jacket. If your machine allows, turn off the spin cycle feature.
Step 3: Use the Right Detergent
Similar to the case of hand washing, just use a small amount of mild, liquid detergent. Distribute it in the dispenser and not on the jacket itself. Again, strict “no” to bleach or fabric softeners. These chemicals are too aggressive for your sensitive bits of equipment.
The Vital Drying Procedure: How to Dry Your Heated Jacket
The way you dry your heated jacket is equally crucial to how you wash it. Wrong drying methods can lead to irreparable damage like burning the heating elements.
The Premium Method: Air Drying
Air drying is the most secure and strongly suggested method of drying your heated jacket. Use a sturdy, broad, or padded hanger to hang the jacket so that it can maintain its shoulder support and prevent the fabric from stretching.
Place it in a well-aired room or in a cool, shady place outside. Stay away from the sun and any heat sources like radiators and heaters. Too much heating may ruin the electronic parts. You can also lay it on a clean and dry towel flat, rotating it periodically.
Make sure that the jacket is 100% dry inside and outside before you reconnect the battery. This might take from a day up to two. Hence, patience in this case can prevent short circuits from occurring.
The Big Question: Can You Use a Tumble Dryer?
We highly recommend that you do not. The majority of manufacturers specify that no tumble drying is allowed. High temperatures are the primary enemy of the fine wiring and the protective covering that it comes with.
Unless the care label on your jacket specifically describes it as safe for a tumble dryer use, the lowest heat option has to be used if it is. Even better, a “No Heat” or “Air Fluff” cycle will do the trick. The chance of melting wiring insulation or damage to the carbon fiber elements is very high, so be extremely careful. Air drying is the best option always.
Common Errors and Solutions
Even with the best guidelines, blunders occur. Here are some pointers you can follow to avoid the most common issues while washing a heated jacket and the solutions to those issues in case they come up.
- Mistake #1: Forgetting the Battery. If you accidentally washed the jacket with the battery inside, don’t use it. There’s a high risk of a short circuit. Let the battery air dry completely for several days, but it’s probably damaged beyond repair. Take it to a proper electronics recycling facility and buy a replacement from the manufacturer.
- Mistake #2: Wringing or Twisting the Jacket. This is the most common way to break a heating element. The twisting motion puts huge stress on the fine internal wires, causing them to snap. Always squeeze gently.
- Mistake #3: Using a High Heat Dryer. This can melt the protective coating around the wires and damage the delicate carbon fiber elements, creating dead spots in your jacket’s heating zones.
Troubleshooting: My jacket won’t heat up after washing.
If your jacket isn’t heating up after washing, check the following:
- Is the jacket completely, 100% dry? Even slight dampness near the connector can stop it from working. Let it dry for another 24 hours.
- Is the power cable reconnected to the battery pack?
- Is the battery fully charged?
- If you’ve checked all of the above, and the jacket doesn’t work, then contact the customer support of the manufacturers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can a heated jacket be dry cleaned?
No. Never dry clean a heated jacket. The harsh chemical solvents used in dry cleaning can dissolve the plastic insulation around the wires and damage the waterproof membranes and glues used in the jacket’s construction.
2. Which detergent is the best one for a heated jacket?
The best option is the mild liquid detergent that does not contain bleach, phosphates, or fabric softeners. Using a specialized “tech wash” (like Nikwax Tech Wash) made to clean highly technical textiles much more safely is also a win-win for performance outerwear.
3. How often should I wash my heated jacket?
Wash it as little as you can. For a jacket worn in environments like a construction site, you may have to wash it more frequently. For normal use, one washing per season might be enough. Before washing electronic components, first, try spot cleaning the stains to help extend the object’s useful life.
4. What happens if I accidentally wash the battery?
You shouldn’t use or try to charge the battery. Water can cause a short circuit, which poses both a safety risk and fire hazard. Lithium-ion cells are not built for submersion. The best practice is to allow it to air dry thoroughly and then take it to a battery disposal or e-waste center for proper disposal.
5. Is it safe to wash any heated jacket including brands like Milwaukee or Ororo?
Yes, the basic principles in this guide—remove the battery, use cold water, gentle cycles, and air dry—work for almost all major brands, including Milwaukee, Ororo, DeWalt, and others. However, it is always good to check the care label of your clothing, as some models may have specific needs and features. For people who are in the market for custom or bulk orders of similar clothing, a reliable clothing manufacturer is able to supply you with a detailed specification regarding care and materials.
