How to Care for a Vest

Read the care label first

The care label is the only reliable guide to washing a vest, because the same style can be made in wool, cotton, down or synthetic filling, and each needs different care. A wool vest may need dry cleaning, a cotton vest may wash at a warm temperature, and a down vest may need a special detergent. If the label says dry clean only, do not wash it at home, because the fabric or the filling may shrink or lose its shape.

Before you wash, fasten all buttons and zips, empty the pockets, and turn the vest inside out if the label advises it. That protects the buttons, the zip and the outer fabric during the wash. Check for stains and treat them gently before washing, rather than using a hot wash to remove them, because heat can set a stain and shrink the fabric at the same time.

Washing wool, cotton and synthetic vests

Wash cotton and synthetic vests on a gentle cycle with cold or warm water and a mild detergent. Avoid fabric softener on a synthetic vest, because it can coat the fibres and reduce their warmth. Use a laundry bag for a vest with delicate buttons or a fine fabric, and do not overload the machine, because a vest needs room to move freely in the water.

Wash wool vests only if the label allows it, using a wool wash cycle and a detergent made for wool. Use cold water and a short, gentle cycle, and never use a hot wash, because heat and agitation together cause wool to shrink. A wool suit vest is often better dry cleaned, especially if it has a lining or structured shoulders that could lose their shape in a machine.

Washing and drying a down vest

Wash a down vest only when it needs it, because frequent washing breaks down the down over time. Use a front loading machine if you can, with a gentle cycle and a detergent made for down, and add a second rinse to remove all the soap. A top loading machine with a central agitator can damage the baffles that hold the down in place, so check the label before you use one.

Dry a down vest on a low heat with clean tennis balls or dryer balls, which break up clumps of down as it dries. Drying takes a long time, and the vest must be fully dry before you store it, because damp down can smell and lose its loft. Do not wring a wet down vest, and do not hang it to dry while it is heavy with water, because the weight can stretch the shoulders and pull the filling downward.

Drying and storing a vest

Dry a vest flat or on a wide hanger, away from direct heat and sunlight. A flat dry keeps the shoulders in shape and stops the hem from stretching, while a narrow wire hanger can leave marks at the shoulders. If you use a dryer, use a low heat and remove the vest while it is still slightly damp, then let it finish drying flat.

Store a vest on a wide hanger or folded flat in a drawer, with the buttons fastened and the front lying smooth. A puffer vest can be folded loosely, but do not compress it tightly for a long time, because the filling needs air to keep its loft. Keep the vest in a cool, dry place, and air it after wear before you put it away, so moisture does not build up in the fabric or the filling.

Vest care checklist

• Read the care label before you wash any vest.
• Fasten buttons and zips and empty the pockets first.
• Wash cotton and synthetic vests on a gentle cycle with mild detergent.
• Wash wool only on a wool cycle, or dry clean a structured suit vest.
• Dry a down vest on low heat with dryer balls until fully dry.
• Store on a wide hanger or folded flat, never compressed tightly for long.