How to Soften Carhartt Jackets

eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.
Carhartt jackets are a great working jacket.

Carhartt jackets are by far one of the most popular work jackets for people who work out in the elements. Heavy, durable and warm, Carhartt jackets provide plenty of comfort and protection in any weather. Carhartts are made out of a heavy cotton canvas material, often making them stiff until they are well broken in. Breaking in Carhartt jackets is easy when you soften them before use, resulting in a much more comfortable fit. It may take a bit of time to soften your jacket, but it is well worth the effort.

Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Washer and dryer

  • Vinegar

  • Clean shoe

Video of the Day

Step 1

To start breaking in Carhartt jackets, start by closing all hooks, zippers and snaps on the jacket. Next, place the jacket in the washer by itself and set the washer to the smallest capacity setting. The material in your jacket can shrink, so turn your water settings to cold wash and cold rinse and allow your washing machine to fill up.

Advertisement

Video of the Day

Step 2

Pour 1 cup of plain white vinegar into the water, and allow the machine to run until it gets to the agitation cycle. Let the agitator run, then stop the machine and allow the jacket to soak for a few hours. The vinegar will help soften up the fibers in the jacket without damaging the fire-resistant properties of the material.

Advertisement

Step 3

Restart the washer and allow it to complete the rinse cycle. Run an extra rinse cycle if you can smell any remaining traces of vinegar in the fabric. Do not add any detergent, bleach or fabric softener as this can alter the properties of the canvas in the jacket. Following the rinse cycle, allow the water to drain and remove the jacket. Do not allow it to go through the spin cycle.

Advertisement

Step 4

Move your jacket to the dryer and turn it on a low heat fluff cycle. If you are concerned about your jacket shrinking even more, hang it in a well-ventilated area to dry. Allow it to dry completely before putting it on to prevent it from drying in an unusual shape.

Step 5

Put your jacket on to evaluate its softness. If it is still too stiff, place the jacket in the dryer with a clean tennis shoe and run it through a full cycle. The jacket will not shrink because it is already fully dry, and the tennis shoe will bounce around during the cycle and press the stiff threads of the canvas, making them soft and pliable. You can repeat this step as needed until the desired softness is achieved.

Tip

Be sure to buy your jacket a size bigger than necessary if you plan to soften it. The canvas outer material is made of pure cotton and can shrink while washing. Buying a larger size will keep your jacket from being unusable after you wash it.

Warning

Don’t use any chemical softeners on your Carhartt. The canvas is treated with a special fire-resistant compound, and chemical softeners will ruin the coating. The vinegar, however, is safe to use on any fabric.

Advertisement

references

Report an Issue

screenshot of the current page

Screenshot loading...