How to Care For Fleece Fabric

Fleece is a versatile and durable fabric that's easy to care for, making it an ideal choice for outdoor clothing, bedding and sleepwear. It's also highly breathable, allowing air to circulate and keeping the skin cool and dry. The fabric is made from synthetic fibers, which are often woven with natural fabrics and plant-based materials to add texture, vibrancy or sustainability.

The defining characteristic of fleece is its puffed or napped surface, which gives it a fluffy and soft texture when stroked in one direction. The fabric undergoes a process called shearing or brushing to achieve this texture, and it's often treated with heat or chemicals to prevent it from shrinking or losing its softness. Occasionally, manufacturers add additional coatings to the fleece to improve its performance.

Traditionally, wool was the primary material used to make warm outerwear garments. It provided excellent insulation, but it could be bulky and scratchy. In the 1970s, Malden Mills (now Polartec), a textile company, began experimenting with polyester and developed a fabric called Polar fleece, which revolutionized outerwear, including fleece jackets. Today, most fleece is made from polyester and/or recycled PET plastic (polyethylene terephthalate), which has been recycled from the containers of bottled water or other beverage products.

While fleece is a durable and versatile fabric, it requires special care to keep it in good condition. Always wash fleece in cold or lukewarm water on a gentle cycle, and use a low heat setting when drying it. Avoid using bleach or fabric softeners. It's also best to wash the fabric separately from other dark-colored items and lint-producing fabrics such as towels, which can cause color bleeding and lint buildup. Leaving the fleece to air dry instead of using the dryer will also help it retain its softness and prevent pilling.

In addition to washing and drying, fleece is prone to fading when exposed to sunlight. This can be avoided by washing it in a dark shade and avoiding sun exposure as much as possible. It is also important to turn the fleece inside out before washing and wash it with similar-colored fabrics to prevent color bleeding. If a fleece is not washed properly, it can become susceptible to pilling and may develop holes and tears.

When purchasing a fleece, consider the warmth and breathability of the jacket and what you plan to wear it for. Warmth is determined by the fabric weight and how thick it is, while breathability is related to how loosely the jacket fits and the fabric's structure. Generally, fleece that's close-fitting and stretchy is the most comfortable and offers the best breathability, while heavier and more relaxed fleeces are less breathable but provide superior insulation.

Fleece with a hood is also a great option for outdoor activities, as it provides extra warmth and helps block wind from entering the face. In some cases, manufacturers also include features such as thumb loops, which allow you to push up the sleeves without exposing your hands to cold air.