How to Clean a North Face Coat With Tennis Balls

Tennis balls keep the down in your North Face jacket even and consistent.

North Face makes a wide variety of outdoor materials, such as packs, tents and jackets. According to their website, they commonly utilize Gore-Tex in their jackets to create a water resistant coating on the outside of the jacket. While rain jackets and light outer wear can be regularly washed, North Face jackets with a down lining should be carefully laundered and with less frequency.

Things You'll Need

• Cold water laundry detergent
• 3-4 clean tennis balls

Instructions

1. Remove any lint, debris or other material from pockets and corners of the jacket. Close all of the zipper pockets and Velcro openings on the jacket.

2. Set your washing machine to run with cold water and select the gentle cycle. Pour a cold water laundry detergent into the running water. Push your North Face jacket into the water as the washing machine fills up. Make sure the jacket is submerged completely and absorbs some of the water. Allow the machine to run through its cycle.

3. Remove the jacket from the washing machine and place it in the dryer along with 3 or 4 tennis balls. Set the dryer on a very low heat setting and allow the jacket to dry completely. Lighter coats will only need about 20 to 30 minutes, while down coats will need about an hour. The tennis balls keep the jacket lining from developing clumps.

Tips & Warnings

• Check on your coat periodically during the drying process to ensure the materials are in good condition.

References

• The Dollar Stretcher: Cleaning Down-Filled Clothes
• The North Face: FAQ
• Backpacker Magazine; How Do I Clean My Sleeping Bag?; Kristin Hostetter