Patagonia was founded by Yvon Chouinard in 1973. An accomplished rock climber, he had sold climbing gear ever since the late 50s.
Wanting to improve his products, he eventually partnered up with Tom Frost in 1965. From there, they eventually opened Patagonia’s first store, Great Pacific Iron Works, in Ventura, California.
Since then, the brand has grown significantly. As of 2024, there are dozens of stores worldwide—53 to be exact.
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Patagonia has a massive catalog that includes jackets, vests, sweatshirts, jeans, snow pants, yoga wear, dresses, wetsuits, base layers—even underwear.
They also have product lines that are specifically designed for climbing, mountain biking, fly fishing, surfing, trail running, skiing, and hiking.
Before going into the washing instructions, it’s important to know what kind of fabrics they use for their clothes. Here are some of them:
Patagonia is known for using recycled polyester – something that they’ve been doing since the early 90s.
Aside from used soda bottles, they also make fibers out of worn-out garments and unusable manufacturing waste.
The brand has been using recycled nylon for its clothes for the past five years.
They take post-industrial waste fiber, waste from weaving mills, and yarns from factories and re-create that into usable fibers. Recently, they’ve also started experimenting with discarded fishing nets.
This material is 100% waterproof and windproof. Not only is it breathable but it’s packable as well. It’s also coated with a DWR finish, which helps repel rain and snow.
This innovative material features a 4-layer construction, which increases breathability, and abrasion resistance, and moves moisture away from the skin.
Complete with H2No waterproof coating, you won’t have to worry about it getting wet in the rain or snow. There’s also a layer of soft polyester tricot lining, which provides extreme comfort.
This fabric is not only waterproof, but it’s also windproof and extremely breathable.
Not only is this fabric soft and lightweight, but it’s also water resistant. On top of all that, it dries very quickly.
Patagonia offers a wide range of jackets, most of which are filled with goose down. Here’s how to wash them:
Start by emptying the pockets. From there, close all the zippers. Velcro attachments should also be closed if there are any.
Set your washing machine to a delicate cycle and make sure to use cold water; hot water can cause damage to the fibers.
We highly recommend putting the down jacket in a mesh laundry bag – that will protect it from rubbing against your other clothes while the machine is running.
Add one scoop of ACTIVE detergent to the basin and start the wash cycle. You mustn’t use any fabric softener as that will degrade the water-repellant finish.
Take your jacket out once the cycle is finished. Don’t worry if it looks a bit deflated—that’s normal with down jackets.
Transfer the jacket to the clothes dryer and let it run on a low heat setting. Be sure to add a few dryer balls or tennis balls – they will help the jacket restore its fluffiness.
Pro-tip: Air drying is only recommended for thinner jackets. It can lead to moisture retention inside, which can result in odors developing.
As always, you want to begin by closing all the zippers. Make sure to check the pockets as well.
Set the jacket aside and fill a sink with lukewarm water. Add a bit of ACTIVE Detergent and mix until the powdered laundry detergent is fully dissolved.
Carefully submerge the jacket so that it’s fully immersed in the soapy mixture. For the best results, let it soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
Refill the bathtub with clean water and use it to rinse the soap off the jacket. Continue until the water runs clear and is free of soap suds.
Depending on how much detergent you’ve used, it can take a couple of minutes.
When you’re finished, drain the excess water out of the jacket. Avoid wringing or twisting motions as that’ll make the down clump together. There’s also a chance that you’ll rip and tear the fabric.
Transfer the jacket to the dryer (it can be a bit heavy while wet, so be careful) and set it on the lowest heat setting, and tumble dry.
Add a few dryer balls as that’ll help to break up any clumps inside. Make sure that it’s fully dry before removing it from the machine.
Note: You can use the same method to wash their vests, sweaters, and tops (just skip the steps for down if the item doesn’t contain down)
Patagonia offers a variety of swimsuits for women. Here’s how you can keep them clean.
The first step is to rinse the swimsuit. One easy way to do this is to take a shower with it on. Alternatively, you can take it off and rinse it with cool water in the sink. Consider soaking it for 15-20 minutes—that’ll help to remove contaminants such as sweat, chlorine, and sunscreen.
Refill the sink with water and add a bit of ACTIVE Detergent – just a little will do.
Dissolve the powder and place your swimsuit in once you’ve turned it inside out. Swish for a few minutes with your hands and rinse well under the faucet. Continue until all the soap is gone.
Drain the dirty water and gently squeeze the suit to remove the excess water. Do not wring it—that can damage the shape.
Let it air dry in a well-ventilated spot, away from direct sunlight.
Their sports bras and underwear are safe to put in the washer. Just be sure to use a lingerie bag, otherwise, the elastic can wear out quickly.
You can also wash them with other clothes (ideally ones without zippers or similar hardware) as long as you sort out the colors.
Place the lingerie bag into the washing machine and add a scoop of ACTIVE Detergent. Do not use any fabric softener. You want the items to be able to move moisture away from the body and that will hinder its ability to do so.
Set your washer on a delicate cycle and wash with cold water.
Take out the items once they’re done washing. Do not put them in the dryer. Instead, let them air dry. You can either put it on a drying rack or a clothesline. Avoid hanging the bras by the straps as that can cause the elastic to stretch.
Fill a sink with water and add some mild laundry detergent like the one by ACTIVE. Swirl until it gets soapy and place the items in, making sure they’re fully submerged in the solution, and soak for at least 15 minutes before rinsing them with water.
If necessary, you can rub or massage the fabric. Be careful not to twist or wring the garments. Remove the excess moisture with a clean towel and let them dry naturally. Do not use the dryer, even on low heat.
It’s best to wash their jackets with cold water. You want to avoid using heat as it can damage the fabric over time. Not only that but it can compromise the fabric’s durable water-repellent finish.
Gently squeeze excess water out of the jacket and place it in the dryer. Tumble dry on low heat with a few dryer balls – they will help restore the jacket’s fluffiness.
It’s best to wash them separately from your other clothes, especially if you’re washing down jackets.
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Sophia Grant brings her extensive knowledge of laundry and clothing care to the masses with her intensive cleaning guides. Her thorough understanding of fabrics, detergents, and washing techniques helps readers master the art of maintaining their wardrobe. Sophia's advice ensures that anyone can achieve professional-level results at home, keeping their garments looking pristine and lasting longer.
