How to clean a letterman jacket: A complete care guide

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We know you love your letterman jacket so much you don’t want to take it off. But it’s bound to get a fair share of stains, especially if you use public transport regularly. So if you’re searching for how to clean a letterman jacket, you’ve come to the right place.

This blog will discuss everything you need to know to clean and wash your varsity jacket. Since you can’t just pop it into the washing machine, we will teach you tips and tricks so you can do it yourself and make it as good as new.

Ready to get started?

Step-By-Step Guide on How to Clean a Letterman Jacket

Step #1: Read The Label

There is a huge variety of letterman jackets out there. They can be made from different types of material, such as cotton fleece, polycotton, wool, genuine cowhide leather, and faux leather. Each material requires a different cleaning method. So how you clean your jacket will depend upon the material it’s made of.

Before washing or attempting to clean your jacket, always read the instructions on the label. Manufacturers provide accurate care details for the jacket, especially if it’s made of more than one material.

Step #2: Dab It With a Clean Cloth

Wipe the dry dirt (if any) with a dry cloth as soon as possible. However, if you spill something on it, quickly dap the stain with a clean, absorbent cloth. Do not rub it aggressively on your jacket because this could spread the stain further or damage the fabric.

Step #3: Spot Clean It

You may come across a stain that is difficult to remove. The technique you use will vary depending on the type of stain. Follow these steps to clean a dirty spot on wool or fleece jackets:

Dirt

Fill a bowl with several cups of water and mix a little bit of mild soap or detergent. Dip a clean rag in the mixture. Squeeze out the excess solution and gently dab the jacket with it. You may have to repeat this procedure several times.

Once the dirty spot is removed, repeat the entire process using clean water. Then, hang the jacket out to dry.

Oil

Can you even imagine an oil stain smack in the front of your jacket?. An easy way to remove it is to use cornstarch. Simply sprinkle some cornstarch onto the stain, rub it gently with your fingers, and set it aside for about five to ten minutes. This gives the cornstarch enough time to absorb the oil. Now brush off the cornstarch, and you’re all good to go.

Ink

Rubbing alcohol can help remove pen marks from the leather or vinyl sleeves of your varsity jacket. Apply a little rubbing alcohol on a clean cotton rag and dab it on the stain. Help the area dry quickly with a hair dryer. Remember to keep it on the lowest setting.

Leather Sleeves

If your jacket has fleece or woolen sleeves, you can easily clean the stains using the above steps. However, if the sleeves are made of leather, you’ll need to practice a little more care. Let’s learn how to clean sticky letterman jacket sleeves.

Pour a little bit of baby shampoo on a clean, dry piece of cloth. Wet it just a little bit so that it’s sudsy but not dripping. Take another cloth and dip it in water, wringing it out completely. Hang the jacket on a hanger and clean the sleeve with a downward stroke (from top to bottom) using the soaped cloth, making sure not to touch the woolen part. Once the entire sleeve is soaped, wipe it with the damp cloth, repeating a couple of times to remove any soap residue. Lastly, wipe the sleeves with another dry cloth.

Step #4: Wash Your Letterman Jacket

If your jacket hasn’t been washed in a while and it’s past its prime, here’s how to clean an old letterman jacket.

Fill a bucket with cool water and stir in a little bit of mild detergent. Submerge the entire jacket into the bucket and let it soak for ten to fifteen minutes. Slowly rub the fabric against itself to lift the stains. Rinse thoroughly with water, careful not to wring the jacket.

Allow it to drip, then lay it out flat to dry.

Tips to Clean a Letterman Jacket the Right Way

Now that you know how to clean a letterman jacket, here are a few tips to help care for it.

Tip # 1: Spot Clean As Soon As Possible

Deal with the stain as immediately as you can. The longer something stays on your jacket, the harder it will be to remove it. This is particularly important for sleeves since they tend to get the dirtiest.

Tip # 2: Protect from Extreme Heat

Avoid exposing your letterman jacket to high heat. It can cause it to shrink. So take extra care when ironing, especially if it has patches. More importantly, avoid placing it in the dryer.

Tip # 3: Take Care of Your Patches

Wondering how to clean letterman jacket patches?

Like your letterman jacket, your patches need TLC. To clean your patches, simply follow the steps mentioned above. Remember, improper techniques or aggressive cleaning can create bald spots in your chenille or damage the fabric.

Tip #4: Use Leather Conditioner

Use a leather conditioner to remove scuff marks if your letterman jacket has leather sleeves. You can also use it to condition the leather sleeves after washing them. This helps replenish any moisture lost during the cleaning process.

Tip #5: Get Your Letterman Jacket Professionally Cleaned

If you don’t have time to wash your varsity jacket or are afraid of damaging the leather finish, consider taking it to a professional dry cleaner experienced in cleaning letterman jackets.

So how much to dry clean a letterman jacket?

Well, that depends on several factors. For instance, it costs more to clean a dirty jacket with leather sleeves and a lot of patches than a basic fleece one.

Over to You

Varsity jackets are back in style. So if you have one hiding in the closet, it’s time to give it a good clean and incorporate it into your wardrobe. Knowing how to clean a letterman jacket correctly will ensure it lasts a long time. After all, we are sure your jacket has a lot of good memories attached to it.

If you don’t own a letterman jacket but are thinking about buying one, Anything Chenille can help. We have a huge collection of affordable, high-quality letterman varsity jackets. So you’re sure to find the perfect one that complements your style.

Now all you have to do is place your order.