How to Launder a Flight Jacket

Flight jackets protect airmen from the pressures and extreme temperature shifts that can accompany flying in some aircraft. Non-airmen also cherish flight jackets as unique and comfortable wardrobe additions. Laundering your flight jacket requires more attention than most normal articles of clothing. Whether you are a pilot or not, it is important to maintain the cleanliness of your flight jacket to ensure its long life. The laundering method depends on its fiber.

Cotton or Synthetic Blend

• 1

  Pour approximately 1/2 to 1/4 the normally suggested amount of liquid or granulated mild laundry detergent into the washing machine's wash basin and set your washing machine's setting to the smallest load.

• 2

  Fill the washing machine with cool, not cold water. Start the fill cycle on warm and when the basin is about half full, switch to cold water. Warm water can shrink the cotton fibers of your jacket, while cold water can damage the elasticity of the synthetic fibers.

• 3

  Put the jacket in the wash basin before the first agitation cycle begins and allow the machine to continue through its wash cycles.

• 4

  Air dry your jacket on a clothesline or on the air dry cycle of your dryer.

Wool

• 1

  Fill a sink with cold water and put the jacket in to soak for several hours. Saturating wool fibers prior to washing prevents the fibers from shrinking during the drying process.

• 2

  Pour 1/4 to 1/8 the suggested amount of mild liquid or granulated laundry detergent into a second sink. If you use granulated detergent, be sure the grains are fully dissolved in the water before laundering your jacket.

• 3

  Fill the second sink with cool to cold water.

• 4

  Transfer the jacket from the soaking sink to the detergent-filled sink.

• 5

  Scrub and lather the jacket gently by hand.

• 6

  Transfer the jacket to the soaking sink to begin the process of rinsing the suds, dirt and oil out of the wool.

• 7

  Drain the soapy sink and refill it with clean water.

• 8

  Transfer the jacket from sink to sink gently, supporting all loose ends such as sleeves and the body, until the soap is completely rinsed. When you remove the jacket from one of the sinks, drain and refill the sink with clean water.

• 9

  Dry the jacket by placing it on top of a towel that is laid flat on the ground. Place another towel on top of the jacket, sandwiching the jacket between the two towels.