How to Clean Your Bulky Winter Outerwear at Home (and Skip the Expensive Dry Cleaning Bill)

When was the last time your winter coat had a proper wash? What about your thick sweaters, scarves, and gloves? You know it's time to clean your winter wardrobe, but the looming dry cleaning cost might have made you procrastinate for years. The great news is that you can—and should—learn how to wash your bulky winter wear right at home.

"A lot of people assume that down and other fluffy garments need to be professionally dry cleaned, but it's generally okay to wash and dry them yourself," says Laura Goodman, senior scientist and fabric care expert at Procter & Gamble. Follow Goodman's expert advice on caring for your winter gear to save some cash and keep your items looking fresh and like new.

How Often Should You Wash Bulky Winter Clothing?

According to Goodman, "Winter outerwear, especially those made with waterproof materials, doesn't need frequent washing unless it gets heavily soiled." However, aim to clean your jackets and accessories about three to five times during the season. Gloves and mittens, on the other hand, should be washed more regularly, particularly if they come in contact with public surfaces like doorknobs or subway poles.

Be sure to clean your gloves and other winter items (like hats, scarves, etc.) before storing them for the warmer months "to prevent stains from setting in or smells caused by body oils, dirt, and grime buildup from lingering."

What You'll Need

Materials

Instructions

How to Wash a Coat in the Washing Machine

Most down or puffy jackets can be tossed into the washing machine to clean off dirt and sweat, then dried according to the fabric's care label. "Always check the care tag for drying guidelines before washing to ensure your fabric can withstand machine drying and to determine the right temperature," advises Goodman. "Follow these steps to wash your winter jackets at home and keep them fluffy, cozy, and smelling fresh."

Check the Label

Check the fabric care labels to verify if your down jacket is safe for machine washing.

Prepare for the Washer

Zip up all zippers and clear out all pockets. Next, inspect the seams of your puffy jacket for any signs of weakness and fix any loose threads to prevent further damage during the wash cycle.

Wash With Dye-Free Detergent

Unless the care label specifies otherwise, opt for a regular or gentle wash cycle along with a normal spin cycle, depending on how delicate your jacket is. Add a detergent that is free of dyes.

Arrange the Load

Place the coat into the washer when it's half full, then balance the load by adding a few towels of similar color. Pause the washer occasionally to press out any trapped air from the items. If you're using a front-loading washer, there's no need to fully submerge the items—just select a gentle cycle and run it through two rinse cycles to remove all the soap.

Dry

Tumble dry on low heat. "Add a few dryer balls or clean tennis balls wrapped in cotton socks to help break up any clumps in the down or feather filling," advises Goodman.

How to Wash Winter Gloves, Hats, and Scarves

We regularly wash our hands, but how often do we clean our gloves, hats, or scarves? After wearing these accessories all day, we typically toss them back into the winter wardrobe (germs included) without a second thought.

Check the Label

Examine the fabric care labels to confirm that your accessories are safe to be washed in the machine.

Treat Stains

For stain removal, apply detergent or stain remover directly to the spot and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes before washing.

Wash on the Gentle Cycle

Place your items in a mesh bag and select a gentle cycle with cold water for washing.

Dry

Hang to dry, or use a tumble dryer on low heat, depending on the instructions on the fabric care label. (If you're unsure, hanging them to dry is the safest option.)

Frequently Asked Questions

• How should I store my bulky winter clothes?

  At the end of winter, Goodman suggests "storing your clothes in airtight plastic bins to keep moths and other pests away, and adding a sachet of dried lavender or a dryer sheet to maintain a fresh scent."

• Which winter coats should be dry-cleaned?

  Fur, leather, suede, and lined wool coats typically require professional cleaning, while fleece, down, faux fur, vinyl, and waterproof fabric coats can usually be cleaned at home. Always check the care label to be sure. Some coats are better hand-washed than machine-washed.

• Is an at-home dry-cleaning kit suitable for my winter coat?

  At-home dry-cleaning kits may be a cost-effective solution for certain winter coats. However, fur and leather coats should be taken to a professional dry-cleaner, as they have the proper tools to clean them safely.