A fleece sweater works hard all winter — walks in the cold, muddy trail days, naps on the couch afterward. A few simple care habits keep it soft, cozy, and ready for the next outing. These are general fleece-care basics that work well for our Polar Fleece Pet Sweater ($24.99) and for most fleece dog sweaters.
Before you wash: brush it out
Take the sweater outside and give it a good shake, then brush off dried mud, leaves, burrs, and loose fur with a soft brush or your hands. Five minutes of prep means the wash itself does a much better job — and debris left in the fabric can work its way deeper during the wash cycle.
Washing: cold, gentle, mild
- Use cold water on a gentle cycle, or wash by hand in a sink of cool water. Cold water is kinder to fleece fibers and helps the sweater keep its shape and softness.
- Choose a mild detergent and use a little less than you would for a full load of laundry.
- Turn the sweater inside out before washing to protect the outer surface from friction.
- Skip the fabric softener. As a general rule with fleece, softeners coat the fibers, which can flatten the loft that traps warmth and make the fabric less breathable over time.
Drying: air dry flat
Lay the sweater flat on a clean towel or drying rack and let it air dry. Hanging a wet sweater by its edges can stretch it out of shape, and high dryer heat is rough on fleece — flat air drying is the gentlest option and keeps the fit your dog is used to. Make sure it is completely dry before it goes back on your dog or into storage.
Between washes
Most days don't call for a full wash. Spot-clean small marks with a damp cloth and a drop of mild detergent, brush off surface dirt after walks, and let the sweater air out between wears. Washing only when it actually needs it is the easiest way to make fleece last for seasons.
Check the hardware and stitching
While the sweater is off, give it a quick once-over: check that the built-in leash clip ring is secure and undamaged, run your fingers along the seams and stitching for loose threads, and look for worn spots. Catching a loose stitch early is far easier than fixing a torn seam later — and the clip ring check takes two seconds before you clip on the leash.
Storing it right
Store the sweater clean and fully dry, folded in a dry spot away from direct sunlight. Never put fleece away damp — that's an invitation for musty smells. A clean, dry sweater stored flat or folded will be ready to go the moment the temperature drops again.
Not sure whether your dog needs a sweater in the first place? Read Does Your Dog Need a Sweater? 5 Signs to Watch For. And if your trail buddy is due for a fresh one, the Polar Fleece Pet Sweater is $24.99 at Trail Club Pet Store.