- Why Proper Drying Makes Such a Big Difference
- Start with Gentle Water Removal
- Air Drying: The Safest and Best Method
- Machine Drying (Only When Necessary)
- Avoid These Common Mistakes
- Storing Fleece, the Right Way
- Final Thoughts
Each shopping experience is enjoyable and even more so when you are shopping for a fleece. It is always that every time you touch the pristine fleece jacket or blanket or the throw, you feel like wrapping it around you and cuddling, if you know what I mean. But then, none of us also quite knows how to take proper care of these items! Of course, a dry machine killing the fleece is criminal.
That’s why learning how to dry fleece properly matters more than we realise. Fleece is a beautiful, breathable, warm fabric, but it’s also sensitive. Without proper drying, it can go from “soft cloud” to “rough dish scrubber” surprisingly fast.
I actually learned this the hard way. A few years back, I washed my favourite fleece hoodie after a winter hike. I was cold, impatient, and very confident in my dryer’s capabilities—so I tossed it in on high heat. An hour later, I pulled out something that looked like it belonged to a toddler. It was smaller, stiffer, and no longer resembling anything that could keep a human warm. So, trust me—what you’re about to learn will save you heartbreak.

Why Proper Drying Makes Such a Big Difference
Fleece isn’t generated like your normal cotton. It is crafted out of soft and fluffy artificial fibres for catching in heat and preventing loss of body warmth. Besides being light, it’s very delicate towards heat, stretching and abrasion.
Dry it incorrectly, and these fibres:
- Lose their loft (the fluffy softness)
- Become stiff or matted
- Start pilling
- Lose their insulating ability
- Or worse—melt from high dryer temperatures
Learning how to dry fleece isn’t just about keeping it clean—it’s about preserving its comfort and lifespan.
Start with Gentle Water Removal
Loosen the excess water before you even start the drying process. The first impulse of most people is to hang-dry clothes by twisting out the water, which can be very harmful when trying to wash and wear a fleece. The twisting only stretches the fibres and will never revert to their typical form.
Then, treat the garment as one would treat anything elegant. Press with hands, squeezing out wetness gently. Another alternative is setting fleece onto a towel and rolling. This is the quiet before the storm of dryness.
Air Drying: The Safest and Best Method
If fleece were to prefer, I am sure he would choose the air-dry process every time. Air drying is soft, authentic and the best possible protection for those fibres; better than any machine on earth could.
The best method involves spreading out the fleece onto a dry towel or, on an effective drying rack, reshaping it when needed so that it dries as close as possible to its original state. A few others have found that drying fleece jammed up on padded hangers also works. Some folk’s dry fibre straight, and this is hard to kill, too. Fleece dried this way dries so incredibly quickly and goes fluffy, soft, and absolutely wonderful.
Machine Drying (Only When Necessary)
Now, there will be times when waiting for air drying feels impossible. Maybe it’s raining for days, or you’re travelling, or you simply forgot you needed that fleece jacket in 20 minutes. Life happens.
If you must use a dryer, it’s totally okay—as long as you treat the dryer like a powerful tool, not a shortcut. Always choose a low-heat or “air dry” setting. High heat is fleece’s worst enemy. It melts synthetic fibres and leaves the garment stiff and dull. A little trick that actually helps is adding two clean tennis balls to the dryer.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
Leading factors are highly common mistakes that are acceptable, as some might hastily commit them. Usually, these are the mishaps people regret committing sometime later.
- Never use high heat in the dryer
- Don’t leave fleece under direct sunlight
- Avoid dryer sheets—they reduce moisture wicking
- Don’t hang heavy, soaked fleece—it will stretch
- Skip wringing or twisting at all costs
Following these simple rules ensures your fleece stays soft, fluffy, warm, and beautiful.
Storing Fleece, the Right Way
After the fleece is completely dry, keep it stored in a dry place. Keep from squeezing it in, and certainly do not stack heavy things on it. Fleece usually prefers some air—that goes a long way in maintaining its loft and shape.
If you have ever wondered why some people’s fleece blankets still remain soft for decades, but some change into scratchy textures just after a single season, air-warming and folding position management are the answer.
Final Thoughts
Drying is the most basic and straightforward method to keep a fleece fabric looking and feeling brand new. One has an obligation to protect their loved jackets, cuddly blankets, or their queen-sized hoodie from more and not letting them remain damp or stiff in the drying process.
PeachFur Fleece specialises in premium fleece products and offers fleece blankets in bulk for charities, retailers, events, and organisations that want unmatched quality at wholesale prices. With over 21 years in the industry, we deliver top-quality blankets, jackets, and innovative products like a travel pillow and fleece blanket in one.



