Parka jackets are often thick-lined and accompanied by a fur hood, making them the perfect winter jacket. To adequately care for your parka, follow this guide carefully. 

• Always check the label
• Remove any fur
• Machine wash
• Use detergent and only detergent 
• Tumble dry
• Clean your fur 
• Store 

Always check the label 

Before washing your parka jacket, or any item for that matter, you must check the care label. The care label will give you all of the information that you need to guarantee that you are washing your item in the safest possible way. If your care label specifies that your jacket is dry clean only, do not try and wash it yourself. This will only lead to your jacket becoming damaged. 

Remove any fur 

Parka jackets will usually come with a detachable fur trim hood. Remove this hood and set it to one side as it needs to be cleaned using a separate method. If you do not, it can become damaged in the wash and unwearable. 

Machine wash 

Once you have detached your hood, you are safe to machine wash your jacket. It’s best to use a down-specific laundry detergent as these are specifically formulated for jackets, such as parkas. Alternatively, you can use a gentle laundry detergent. Use a cool or warm water setting on your machine that will not be overly aggressive on your jacket and unintentionally cause any damage. Finally, Before you begin your wash, make sure that there is nothing else in your machine. Your parka jacket should not be washed with any other items of clothing.

Use detergent and only detergent  

You may be tempered to add fabric softener to your washing machine, but don’t. The only thing that you need to effectively wash your parka jacket is detergent. Adding additional chemicals to your machine can lead to irreversible damage. 

Tumble dry

Now that your parka jacket is washed, it’s time to dry it. The most effective way to dry your jacket is on a low heat setting in the tumble dryer. Don’t set your tumble dryer’s temperature too high or you risk scorching the fibres of your jacket. Instead, use a low temperature and add a few wool dryer balls to help fluff the down and prevent it from clumping together. 

Clean your fur 

Whilst your parka jacket is drying, it’s time to clean your fur trim. Begin by filling a basin with cool water and adding 1-2 teaspoons of gentle detergent. Completely submerge your fur in the mixture, gently moving it through the water for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, lift out the fur and gently squeeze it to remove as much soapy water as possible. To remove the remaining suds, refill your basin with clean water, and rinse your collar until all of the suds have been removed. Next, gently squeeze out as much excess water as possible by rolling it in a thick bath towel. Finally, allow your fur to completely air dry– this could take up to 48 hours. Once dry, use a soft-bristled brush to lift any matted fur, before reattaching it to your clean parka jacket. 

Store 

Now that your parka jacket and collar is clean, hang it up on a wooden coat hanger in an airy room. This will keep it looking and smelling fresh until you decide to wear it again. 

The best way to care for your parka jacket is to let Laundryheap do it for you. To book your Laundryheap order simply head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app.