How to Wash Fleece Fabric: Complete Care Guide for Blankets, Jackets, and More

Fleece is one of the most popular fabrics for blankets, jackets, and cozy accessories — but improper washing and care can ruin it fast. High heat melts the fibers, wrong detergents strip the softness, and rough handling creates pilling. The good news? With the right techniques, your fleece fabric items can stay soft, fluffy, and pill-free for years. This guide covers everything you need to know about how to wash, dry, and care for fleece fabric.

Understanding Fleece Fabric

Fleece is a synthetic knit fabric made primarily from polyester. The knit base is brushed to create a soft, fuzzy pile that traps air for warmth. Because it's polyester, fleece has specific care requirements — primarily around heat sensitivity and pilling prevention.

Understanding your fleece type helps you care for it properly:

• Polar fleece: Standard mid-weight fleece with brushed pile on both sides. The most common type for blankets and garments.
• Anti-pill fleece: Treated to resist pilling. The best choice for items that will be washed frequently.
• Microfleece: Ultra-thin, lightweight fleece. Used as linings and base layers. More delicate.
• Sherpa fleece: Bumpy, textured pile on one side that mimics sheep's wool. Thicker, requires extra care.

How to Wash Fleece: Step by Step

Machine Washing (Recommended Method)

1. Turn inside out: This protects the fleece pile from friction and abrasion during the wash cycle. The pile side facing inward won't rub against the drum or other items.
2. Wash in cold water: Always use cold water (30°C / 86°F or below). Hot water damages polyester fibers, causes shrinkage, and can permanently flatten the pile.
3. Select gentle/delicate cycle: The gentle cycle uses slower agitation, which reduces friction and prevents pilling. Normal and heavy-duty cycles are too aggressive for fleece.
4. Use liquid detergent: Liquid detergent dissolves better in cold water than powder. Use a mild or gentle formula — no heavy-duty detergents. Measure according to directions (more detergent is NOT better).
5. Wash with similar items: Wash fleece with other soft items (other fleece, t-shirts, cotton towels). Avoid washing with rough fabrics (jeans, canvas, items with zippers or Velcro) that create friction and cause pilling.
6. Don't overload: Fleece needs room to move freely in the water. Overloading compresses the items and increases friction.

Hand Washing (For Delicate Fleece)

For especially delicate or beloved fleece items:

1. Fill a basin or bathtub with cold water
2. Add a small amount of mild liquid detergent
3. Submerge the fleece and gently press and squeeze (don't wring or twist)
4. Soak for 15–30 minutes
5. Drain and refill with clean cold water for rinsing
6. Press out excess water gently (don't wring)
7. Lay flat on a clean towel and roll up to absorb excess moisture

What NOT to Use on Fleece

How to Dry Fleece

Tumble Drying

• Use low heat or no heat (air dry setting). This is the most critical rule. High heat melts polyester fibers, causing permanent damage: flattened pile, crispy texture, shiny spots, and loss of softness.
• Remove promptly: Don't leave fleece sitting in the dryer after the cycle ends. Sitting in residual heat can cause wrinkles and fiber damage.
• Don't over-dry: Fleece dries quickly because polyester doesn't absorb water. A shorter cycle (20–30 minutes on low heat) is usually sufficient.

Air Drying (Best Method)

• Lay flat on a clean surface or drape over a drying rack
• Avoid direct sunlight (UV can fade colors over time)
• Fleece air-dries quickly (usually 2–4 hours indoors)
• For blankets, drape over two parallel rods or a large drying rack to distribute weight

How to Prevent and Remove Pilling

Pilling is the formation of small fiber balls on the fabric surface. It's the most common complaint about fleece. Here's how to prevent and fix it:

Prevention

• Buy anti-pill fleece: EOVEA's anti-pill polar fleece is treated to resist pilling during normal use and washing.
• Turn inside out before washing: Reduces surface friction during the wash cycle.
• Wash with similar soft fabrics: Rough items (denim, canvas, terrycloth) abrade fleece and accelerate pilling.
• Use gentle cycle: Less agitation = less friction = less pilling.
• Skip fabric softener: The waxy buildup actually increases friction between fibers, worsening pilling.
• Avoid Velcro contact: Velcro is the worst enemy of fleece. The hooks grab and pull fibers, creating instant pills. Keep Velcro fasteners closed during washing.

Removing Existing Pills

• Fabric shaver (best method): A battery-powered or electric fabric shaver (like Gleener or Conair) is the most effective tool. Glide it over the surface to shave off pills without damaging the underlying fabric.
• Disposable razor: Lay the fleece flat on a hard surface and gently drag a disposable razor across the pilled areas. Use light pressure. This works well but requires more care to avoid cutting the fabric.
• Pumice stone: A sweater stone or pumice stone can remove pills. Rub gently in one direction. Good for large, flat areas.
• Lint roller: Picks up loose pills after shaving. Won't remove attached pills on its own.

How to Remove Stains from Fleece

• Act fast: Treat stains as soon as possible. Dried stains are much harder to remove from polyester.
• Blot, don't rub: Rubbing pushes the stain deeper into the pile and can damage fibers.
• Cold water rinse: Flush the stain with cold water from the back of the fabric (pushing the stain out, not in).
• Mild stain treatment: Apply a small amount of liquid dish soap or stain remover (like OxiClean spray) directly to the stain. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes.
• Wash normally: After treating, wash the entire item in cold water on the gentle cycle.
• Check before drying: Make sure the stain is gone before putting the item in the dryer. Heat can set stains permanently.

Specific Stain Solutions

How to Restore Matted or Flat Fleece

Over time, fleece can become matted or flat, especially in high-friction areas (blanket edges, jacket elbows). Here's how to restore the fluffy pile:

1. Wash in cold water with a small amount of white vinegar (1/4 cup) instead of detergent. Vinegar helps loosen compacted fibers.
2. Tumble dry on no heat (air fluff) for 10–15 minutes. The tumbling action helps separate matted fibers.
3. Brush with a soft-bristle brush: Use a clean pet brush (slicker brush) or soft garment brush. Brush gently in one direction to lift and separate the pile fibers.
4. For severely matted fleece: Use a fabric shaver to remove the matted layer, then brush. This won't fully restore the original pile height, but it significantly improves texture and appearance.

Fleece Care Quick Reference

Storing Fleece Properly

• Fold loosely: Don't compress fleece tightly. The pile needs airflow to maintain its loft.
• Avoid vacuum bags: Long-term compression in vacuum storage bags can permanently flatten the pile.
• Keep away from direct heat: Don't store near radiators, heating vents, or sunny windows.
• Moth protection not needed: Unlike wool, polyester fleece is not attractive to moths. No special protection needed.
• Clean before storing: Wash fleece items before long-term storage. Stains left on stored fabric become harder to remove over time.

Shop Fleece Fabric at EOVEA

EOVEA carries premium anti-pill polar fleece by the yard in a wide range of solid colors. Our fleece is 58–60 inches wide, anti-pill treated for lasting quality, and ships fast from the USA.

Making a fleece blanket? Check out our no-sew fleece blanket guide for step-by-step instructions. Need bulk fleece? Visit our wholesale page for volume pricing. Free shipping on orders over $150.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you put fleece in the washing machine?

Yes. Fleece is machine washable. Use cold water, gentle cycle, and mild liquid detergent. Turn items inside out and wash with similar soft fabrics. Avoid hot water, bleach, and fabric softener.

Why is my fleece no longer soft?

The most common causes are fabric softener buildup (coats fibers), high dryer heat (damages fibers), or washing with rough fabrics (causes pilling). To restore softness, wash with white vinegar instead of detergent, air dry, and brush with a soft-bristle brush.

Can you iron fleece?

No. Polyester fleece melts at relatively low temperatures. Direct iron contact will leave permanent shiny melt marks and damage the pile. If you need to remove wrinkles, tumble in the dryer on no heat for 5-10 minutes, or use a steamer held 6+ inches away from the fabric.

How do you get rid of static in fleece?

Fleece generates significant static, especially in dry winter air. Solutions: lightly mist with water, use an anti-static spray, rub with a dryer sheet (though long-term use isn't ideal), or hang-dry instead of tumble drying. Running a humidifier in your home also reduces static on all fabrics.

How often should you wash fleece blankets?

For blankets used daily, wash every 1-2 weeks. For decorative throws used occasionally, once a month or when visibly soiled. Over-washing accelerates pilling and wear. Between washes, shake out crumbs and hair, and tumble on air-dry for 5 minutes to refresh.

Does fleece shrink in the wash?

Quality polyester fleece has minimal shrinkage (under 2%) when washed in cold water. However, hot water or high dryer heat can cause significant shrinkage and permanently damage the fabric. Always use cold water and low or no heat drying.

Related Fabric Guides

• What Is Polar Fleece Fabric?
• Fleece vs Minky
• Felt vs Fleece
• Best Fabric for Tie Blankets
• Polar Fleece Fabric Collection

Shop all fabrics at EOVEA Fabric — premium craft fabric by the yard with fast USA shipping.