Here's How to Clean Bulky, Hard-to-Wash Winter Clothing at Home

How to Wash a Down Jacket or Puffy Winter Coat

According to Goodman, "winter weather gear, especially waterproof fabric, doesn't need to be washed after every wear unless it gets really dirty." For a heavy-duty clean, use a dye-free detergent (Goodman recommends Tide purclean Liquid) to remove dirt and sweat, then dry according to the fabric label.

"Always check the care label for drying instructions before you start to make sure that your fabrics can be machine dried and at what temperature," she says. "Follow these steps to wash your puffy winter jackets at home and ensure they stay puffy, warm, and freshly scented."

Steps

1. Read the fabric care labels to check whether your down coat can go in the washing machine.
2. Zip up all zippers and empty all pockets. Then check puffy jacket seams for durability and mend any loose seams to ensure they don't get worse in the wash cycle.
3. Unless otherwise noted by the care label, choose a normal or gentle wash and normal spin cycle, depending on how delicate your jacket is. Add a dye-free detergent.
4. Submerge the coat when the washer is half full and balance the load by adding a few similarly colored towels. Stop the washer occasionally to press air from items. If you have a front-loading washer, there's no need to submerge the items—simply use a gentle cycle and run it through two rinse cycles to wash out all the soap.
5. Tumble dry on low. "Add a few dryer balls or clean tennis balls stuffed in clean cotton socks to help break up any clumps in the feather or down filling," Goodman adds.

How to Wash Winter Gloves

We're used to washing our hands often, but what about your gloves? After a whole day of wearing a pair, we usually throw them back into the winter clothes mix (germs and all) without giving them a second thought.

"Many of us forget about our gloves, but they're often the dirtiest winter accessory as they come in contact with the most dirt and germs," Goodman says. Here's the simplest and most effective way to keep gloves clean.

Steps

1. Check fabric care labels to ensure your gloves can be put in the washing machine.
2. Pre-treat stains on gloves by pouring detergent on the stain and letting it sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Place the gloves in a mesh bag and wash on a gentle cycle in cold water.
4. Hang to dry, or tumble dry on low, depending on the fabric care label instructions.

And yes, you should wash your gloves and other winter gear (hats, scarves, etc.) before putting them away for spring and summer "to avoid stains setting in or odors from body oils, grime, and dirt build-up to remain."

At the end of the cold-weather season, Goodman recommends you "store them in air-tight, plastic bins to prevent moths and other bugs from crawling in, and throw in a sachet of dried lavender or a dryer sheet to keep things smelling fresh."