Patagonia is on a mission to change the way we think about our clothes. Our fast fashion, throwaway culture is causing damage to our planet, and one of the single biggest things we can do to combat this is to keep our clothing in use for longer. Using what we already own helps us reduce CO2 emissions, waste output and water usage and helps protect natural environments.
Patagonia believe that it's not just down to customers buying products but also the companies producing them to change how we view clothing. That’s why they have a two-fold approach to extending the life of their products.
First, because there is a need for new clothes, they aim to produce better quality clothing products, backed by their Ironclad guarantee, which they know withstands the rigours of your adventures. Second, they aim to make it easier for customers to keep their existing clothing performing for longer because, like everything, our garments need our care and attention from time to time.
Knowing where to start when it comes to caring for your products can be hard, and no one wants to ruin their favourite waterproof or down jacket, so Patagonia have come up with simple step-by-step care instructions for their most popular garments.
Their expert advice shows you just how easy it is to take responsibility and do your bit for the planet by looking after and making simple repairs to your own garments, so you can wear them for years to come. To find out how to repair and care for your Patagonia jacket select from the options below.
How to wash your Patagonia down jacket?
If you’ve just got back from your latest adventure and noticed marks on your jacket, fear not, Patagonia have some top tips on how to clean a down jacket.
Washing a down jacket is pretty straightforward and can be done at home in a domestic washing machine.
Step 1
- Lay your jacket out flat and check you’ve not left anything in the pockets
- Zip up all of the zippers
- If your jacket has hook-and-loop tape fasten it closed
- Pop your jacket in the washing machine
Step 2
- Add a technical wash designed for down garments to your machine
- Check the instructions about how much to add for your jacket
Step 3
- If possible set load size to small
- Set the temperature to cool/cold
- Run the machine on a gentle or normal wash cycle
Step 4
- Leave your jacket in the machine and wash on a second cycle
Step 5
- Remove your jacket from the washing machine and place it in your tumble dryer
- Add a couple of tennis balls to the drier to prevent the down clumping
- Set the dryer to a low heat and start on a normal cycle
- It’s important to completely dry your jacket, so you may need to put on a second low heat cycle
- If you don’t have a dryer or prefer a more environmentally-friendly option, you can line dry your jacket, but you must ensure it’s completely dry before wearing again
How to wash a Patagonia waterproof jacket?
Just like your down jacket, it is easy to wash your waterproof jacket at home. All you need is your washing machine and some technical waterproof wash.
Step 1
- Inspect the stain and brush off any dirt or debris
- You should pre-treat stubborn stains following your garments care instructions
Step 2
- Zip up the main zip fully
Step 3
- Loosen any drawstrings and undo any cuffs
- Unzip your pocket zippers and remove any items from them
Step 4
- Place your jacket in your washing machine
- Add laundry soap – use either a specifically formulated soap for waterproof clothing or gentle nondetergent laundry soap
- Don’t use soap containing bleach, fabric softeners, enzymes, stain removers, perfumes or whitener
Step 5
- If possible set the load size to small
- Set the water temperature to warm/cold
- Run the machine on normal setting
Step 6
- Once the wash cycle has finished, put it on again to rinse out any remaining soap
- Remove your jacket from the washer and inspect it
- If your jacket looks or feels funny, put it back in the washer and run another rinse cycle
- If your jacket looks clean, you can dry it either on your washing line or in a dryer
How to repair a down jacket?
We know that feeling of dread when you snag your sleeve and hear that dreaded rip, but a tear needn’t signal the end of your down jacket. Making repairs to your down jacket is pretty easy; all you need is some repair tape, a permanent marker and some scissors. Follow this step-by-step guide from Patagonia:
Step 1
- Inspect the damage and clip any dangling threads, fabric or feathers, using small scissors
- Don’t pull the feathers out with your fingers, as this encourages more feathers to come out and makes the hole bigger
Step 2
- Get your repair tape and flip it onto the back side
- Using a fine-point permanent marker, draw an oval slightly larger than the hole you are repairing
- For a wide hole draw a rectangle with rounded edges as this will prevent the corners from getting caught and peeling up
Step 3
Cut out the shape, using scissors
- Lay the shape over the hole to check it is large enough- the patch should reach the fabric on all sides with at least 1/8" overlap
Step 4
- Peel the backing off the repair tape, so only the clear sticky layer remains
- Don’t touch the sticky side, as this will reduce its sticking capabilities
Step 5
- Lay the sticky side of the tape over the hole, and press down with your finger
- Use your fingernail to work the air out of the tape, rubbing and pressing down on it with a warm palm until it is well-adhered
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