So, you’ve finally bought your first varsity jacket, and gotten your most desired letter affixed on to it. You only need to wear it for a few months to start noticing some signs of wear and tear. Now, this is the best time to know how you should take care of your jacket if you want to wear it for some time. In this post, we shall give you tips on how to take care of your varsity jacket.

Here are 6 general rules that will assist you to take care of your varsity jacket

1. Don’t use hot water when cleaning it – hot water can make your jacket to shrink and crease as it dries.
2. Keep it in a closet with good ventilation – store your letterman jacket where you can take good care of it. Moreover, you should always clean it once you wear it to keep it in good condition.
3. Don’t fold it – the best way to store your jacket is to hang it. Use an acid-free tissue to pad its sleeves, and then keep them well arranged to prevent folds and creases. Moreover, make sure that you inspect it regularly for any signs of pests and damages.
4. Remember to use cold water when cleaning it. This will keep the material relaxed and will prevent it from stretching or shrinking.
5. Don’t put it in a dryer – this is important, especially if the jacket has a lot of details or delicate seams. Using a dryer can end up damaging this delicate attire.
6. Never overload the pockets – this risks stretching the fabric or even damaging the pockets.

Please note that the above-mentioned rules are general. However, it’s important to also note that letterman jackets by Varsity Base come in different materials. So, what should you do in case you buy an all-leather or all-wool varsity jacket?

The following are tips on taking care of your letterman jacket depending on the material

All-leather

1. Always use a soft brush to remove all dust and dirt. For cowhide leather, use a soft and dampened cloth or sponge when cleaning it. Remember, the best way to clean the leather is to rub it gently in a circle until the dirt disappears.
2. For the trim and sleeves, use leather lotion, and then repeat the same procedure of small cleaning circles. Use a soft cloth to dry the leather.
3. Moist baby wipes are the best for cleaning the jacket’s inner lining.

All-wool

1. Brush your jacket gently using a soft suede brush. Also, you can clean it with a lint brush before hanging it back in the closet after you’ve worn it. This assists in removing lint and soil.
2. Always use wooden or plastic hangers. Moreover, the hanger should be broad and steady—this prevents the jacket’s weight from stretching the shoulder areas, thus making it lose shape. Moreover, make sure that your closet has good airflow.
3. In case of spills on the material, blot them immediately to absorb the moisture. Never attempt to rub the spill, rather, use an absorbent cloth or a heavy paper towel. If you notice that the spill has chemical or natural pigments, take your jacket to a professional dry-cleaner for expert care.
4. Never attempt to DIY-clean your varsity jacket. Rather, take it to a professional dry-cleaner. Moreover, cleaning it once or twice each year is enough—probably at the beginning and end of every season.
5. Once the season is over, store it in a garment bag, preferably breathable. This protects the wool from moth infestation. You can use mothball or cedar chips for extra protection.
6. Always avoid ironing an all-wool letterman jacket as much as you can. If you get it out of storage, hang it for some time. If you notice that it has creases, iron it, but use cool-iron setting, and use an ironing board, or flat and clean surface, like a table. It’s a good idea to place a pillowcase or sheet over the jacket as this will protect the wool from being damaged. If possible, use steam iron for the best ironing results.

Satin

1. The best way to care for your satin varsity jacket is by machine-washing it. Ensure that you use warm water wash and permanent press cycle.
2. You can use a dryer (on low heat setting) or all it to air dry if the weather is warmer.
3. Don’t allow the jacket to overstay in the dryer as this can cause unwanted creases. Moreover, you don’t need to iron it, but in case you have to, set your iron to medium.

Vinyl/faux leather

1. In a bowl, add clean, warm water, and then add 4 tablespoons of liquid cleanser, like dish soap. You can use normal tap water, or distilled water if possible.
2. Dip a brush (soft-bristled) into the solution, and clean the vinyl sleeves gently.
3. Use a clean wet cloth to rinse the sleeves.
4. Lastly, run a soft, clean, but dry cloth over the sleeves to dry the sleeves.

Bottom line

It’s essential to take care of your varsity jacket, and observe the best practices when cleaning it, otherwise, it will fail you. Moreover, failing to take care of your clothing properly is costly, bearing in mind the amount of money you invest to get a quality varsity jacket. Therefore, take good care of it, and maybe you’ll have the opportunity to pass it to your next generation.