At what temperature should a jacket be washed?

The jacket's care label sets the washing temperature; do not exceed the maximum temperature on the label. If unsure, choose a low temperature and a delicate programme.

Does a jacket shrink when washed?

High temperatures, high spin speeds and tumble drying can make a jacket shrink or lose its shape. Follow the temperature on the label and hang the jacket to dry.

Can a dry-clean-only jacket be washed at home?

Not recommended. Jackets whose label says dry clean only can shrink, have their lining damaged or lose their shape when washed at home; take these jackets to a dry cleaner.

Can a blazer be machine washed?

Only unlined or lightly lined blazers whose label shows the machine-wash symbol are washed: the jacket is turned inside out and put in a laundry bag, washed on the delicate programme at low temperature and low spin with liquid detergent, and dried on a hanger. Padded, structured and dry-clean-labelled blazers do not go in the machine; they lose their shape.

How to wash a school blazer in the washing machine

School blazers are mostly polyester or a polyester-wool blend; if the label allows machine washing, the blazer is turned inside out, buttoned up, put in a laundry bag and washed on the delicates programme in cold or low-temperature water with a low spin. Liquid detergent for colours is enough; no bleach or fabric softener. The blazer is dried on a hanger with the shoulders straightened and never tumble dried; blazers with a high wool content or a lining are not machine washed if the label says dry clean. Stain remover is applied to the collar and cuffs before washing.

Guide · Laundry and clothes washing · October 20, 2026

How to Wash a Jacket

Jackets differ from other clothes in their fabric, lining and cut: a lined, padded blazer can lose its shape if washed the wrong way, while a polyester or cotton jacket can be machine washed if its label allows. The right method is always set by the jacket's care label. This guide explains how to wash a jacket according to its label, blazers and polyester jackets, denim, linen and velvet jackets, drying and collar and cuff stains.

Check the label before washing

Washing symbol: the tub symbol means it can be washed, a hand inside it means hand wash only; a crossed-out tub means do not wash.
Dry cleaning symbol: a letter in a circle means dry cleaning; if the label says dry clean only, do not wash the jacket.
Lining and padding: jackets whose lining and shoulder pads are made of a different fabric can shrink and lose their shape when washed; follow the label.
Preparation: empty the pockets, fasten the buttons, close the zips and turn the jacket inside out.

How to wash a blazer?

Lined, padded and tailored blazers usually carry a dry cleaning label; if the label does not allow washing, take the jacket to a dry cleaner. If the label allows hand washing or a delicate programme, turn the jacket inside out and wash it at the temperature on the label, with a small amount of liquid detergent and for a short time; do not rub or wring it. Between cleanings, spot-clean areas that get dirty, such as the collar and cuffs.

How to clean a suit jacket

Do not wash it: The shoulder pads, interfacing and lining of a suit jacket lose their shape in water; whatever the label says, washing at home ruins the cut. Send it for dry cleaning together with the trousers so no colour difference develops.
After every wear: Hang the jacket on a wide-shouldered hanger, brush it with a clothes brush in the direction of the nap and air it for a day; sweat and odour disperse this way.
Local stains: Lift marks on the collar and cuffs by pressing with a damp white cloth, do not rub; with a greasy stain, show the stain at the dry cleaner's without delay.
Steam: Prefer a steam iron or steaming on the hanger to ironing; direct ironing makes wool shine, and if ironing is needed, iron through a damp cloth.
Storage: In a breathable garment bag, in a wardrobe that is not crammed full; a plastic bag traps moisture.

How to machine wash a jacket?

Machine wash only jackets whose label allows machine washing.
Turn the jacket inside out and put it in a laundry bag.
Select the delicate programme, the temperature on the label and a low spin speed.
Use a liquid detergent such as detergent for coloureds at the dose on the label; for white jackets, choose detergent for whites.
Do not overload the machine; wash the jacket on its own or with similar colours.

How to wash a polyester jacket?

Polyester jackets can usually be machine washed if the label allows. Turn the jacket inside out and wash it at a low temperature on a delicate programme with liquid detergent; liquid detergent dissolves easily at low temperatures (liquid or powder detergent). Hang a polyester jacket to dry and, if needed, iron it at the low heat on the label.

Denim, linen, velvet and cotton jackets

Wash a denim jacket like jeans, turned inside out and at a low temperature (how to wash jeans). Fabric-specific steps for linen and velvet jackets are in how to wash linen and how to wash velvet. Cotton jackets can be machine washed on a delicate programme if the label allows.

Wool, cashmere-blend, leather and suede jackets

We do not recommend a product for wool, cashmere-blend, leather and suede jackets; take these jackets to a dry cleaner or a leather cleaning specialist as stated on the label. The same rule applies to coats (how to wash a winter jacket).

Can a jacket be dry-cleaned at home?

Dry cleaning is a process that uses special solvents instead of water and is done only in machines designed for it; there is no home method that gives the same result. What can be done at home is refreshing the jacket: brushing and airing it, steaming it on the hanger, lifting local stains with a damp cloth and leaving the jacket outdoors for a few hours to disperse odours. Putting a jacket with a dry-clean label into water, soaking it in a basin or washing it on a delicate programme risks shrinkage, a rippled lining and deformed shoulders; such jackets go only to the dry cleaner's. For jackets without a dry-clean label that can be washed in water, the machine and hand-washing steps above apply.

How to dry and iron a jacket?

Hang the jacket on a wide-shouldered hanger to dry and reshape it by hand.
Do not dry it in direct sunlight or on a radiator.
Use a tumble dryer only if the label allows and on low heat.
Iron at the temperature on the label, with the jacket turned inside out or with a thin cloth on top.

Stains on jackets

Collar and cuff grime can be pre-treated before washing with TETİK Kar Aspirin, whose label includes use on clothing; test the product on a hidden spot first. For grease and sweat stains, see how to remove grease stains and how to remove sweat stains. For dry-clean-only jackets, point out the stain to the dry cleaner.

For dry cleaners and hotel laundries

In dry cleaners and hotel laundries, liquid detergent and stain pre-treatment are kept separately for jackets whose label allows washing. TETİK Detergent for Coloureds and for Whites is produced in 4 kg and TETİK Kar Aspirin in 750 g, 5 kg and 30 kg packs. For the product list, see laundry supplies and chemicals; request a quote for bulk purchases.

Prepared by: Tetikoğlu Kimya — cleaning chemicals manufacturer since 1997. When using products, always follow the instructions and warnings on the pack.