Are you having trouble getting mulch out of your fleece jacket or blanket? Did your kids wear their fleece sweater to a playground with wood chips and roll around in it? I’ll show you how to get mulch and wood chips out of your fleece jacket!
During the spring and fall months, most people bring out their fleece or sherpa lined blankets and jackets. Generally, its cool enough for a light fleece sherpa jacket in these seasons. Also, people often bring out blankets that are meant to be used inside by accident and use sherpa-lined blankets outside next to wood chips.
The sharp wooden end of these chips can be painful if you forget to remove one. In addition, their strong grip on the clothing fibers makes it a very time-consuming chore.
You won’t have to spend hours picking out the mulch and wood. Instead, I’ll show you a few easy ways to get those pesky chips out of your nice jacket and blanket.
As a gardener, I regularly use horticultural fleece to protect plants from frost and pests. The downside is fleece can get covered with dirt, debris and mulch over time. Removing this buildup keeps the fleece usable longer. If you’ve wondered how to get mulch out of fleece, I’m sharing the best cleaning methods I’ve found through trial and error. With a little elbow grease and the right techniques, you can restore the function of grimy garden fleece.
Why It’s Important to Clean Dirty Fleece
Before we dive into the cleaning process, let’s review why it’s worth the effort to get your fleece looking like new:
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Restores air permeability. As fleece gets coated in particles, it loses its breathability and can trap moisture against plants. Cleaning opens up the weave again.
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Lets light penetrate. Built up debris blocks light transmission through the fleece, depriving covered plants of sunshine. Removing the particulates restores light permeability.
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Prevents harboring pests. Bugs like hiding in and under dirty fleece. Thorough cleaning removes their cozy den.
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Improves appearance. While purely aesthetic, having fresh, debris-free fleece just looks nicer in your garden beds.
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Extends usefulness Proper maintenance keeps fleece functional longer before needing replacement
Effective Methods to Remove Debris
When mulch, dirt and other particles get embedded in the fibers, getting fleece completely clean takes some work. Here are the best methods I’ve found through experience
Hand Brushing
For a basic cleaning, go over the fleece by hand using a soft brush or broom to dislodge debris. Work in sections, systematically brushing in different directions. This takes elbow grease but removes the loose top layer.
Hosing Down
After brushing, do an thorough rinse with a pressurized water hose. Work methodically section by section. The force of the spray coupled with the brushing should wash away most remaining debris.
Tub Cleaning
For a more intense cleaning, soak the fleece in a tub of water mixed with a small amount of mild detergent. Agitate the fleece to fully saturate and let soak 15-20 minutes. Drain the tub and rinse. Repeat if needed to remove embedded particles.
Machine Washing
If previous methods don’t do the trick, I’ve had success washing fleece in the washing machine. Use cold water on a gentle cycle with mild detergent. Air dry thoroughly. This risks damage, so it’s a last resort.
Handling Different Types of Fleece
The cleaning process may need to be adjusted based on the specific type of garden fleece:
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Spunbond polypropylene fleece is the most durable and can withstand vigorous cleaning.
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Spunbond polyester fleece can also handle scrubbing but may snag more easily. Take care when brushing.
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Biodegradable fleece requires gentler treatment as it deteriorates faster. Prioritize hand brushing.
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Floating row cover fabric is very delicate. Stick to gentle hosing or soaking instead of aggressive scrubbing.
Best Practices for Preventing Buildup
While periodic deep cleaning is needed, I’ve found that consistent maintenance prevents excessive debris accumulation in the first place:
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Check fleece after high winds for debris buildup on the surface that can be easily brushed off before becoming more embedded.
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Rinse fleece with water after taking it off beds to prevent dirt from drying in place.
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Shake out and surface clean fleece before storing for the season to prevent debris compaction.
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Avoid dragging fleece on the ground when removing it from beds to prevent grinding in mulch and dirt.
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Use stakes, hoops or low tunnels to keep the fleece elevated off the soil and plants. This reduces contact with dirt.
Storing Cleaned Horticultural Fleece
Once I’ve got my fleece freshly cleaned, proper storage between uses helps maintain its integrity:
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Allow fleece to completely air dry before folding up to prevent mold growth. Don’t store damp.
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Fold or roll up fleece loosely instead of tightly packing it down to avoid creases.
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Keep stored fleece protected from UV light which degrades the material over time.
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Avoid exposure to heat sources like hot pipes that could melt or damage the fleece.
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Consider reusable breathable bags for storage to protect from dust and pests while allowing airflow.
Knowing When It’s Time to Replace Fleece
With repeated use and cleaning over time, eventually the fleece becomes too threadbare or damaged to function properly. Signs it may be time to retire it include:
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Holes, tears or thin spots that compromise protection and insulation.
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Fraying edges from abrasion on supports.
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Loss of light transmission as fibers degrade and compact with use.
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Excessive debris and smell that can’t be fully removed by cleaning.
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Brittleness and stiffness as UV exposure takes its toll.
While horticultural fleece is inexpensive, a little proper maintenance goes a long way towards improving its lifespan. But when those telltale signs of aging appear, it’s time to replenish your supply with fresh, clean fleece. My cleaning methods help justify keeping some older fleece around for less demanding uses like mulch suppression. With the right care, your fleece can deliver reliable performance season after season!
Bur Removal Stone for the Last College Try
You can order one of these bur removal stones that are typically used to remove burs from clothing, but can also be used to get wood chips out of a sherpa jacket.
Heavy duty tape can be used to remove wood chips
You can wipe off the mulch spots on your fleece by wrapping heavy-duty tape around your hand. Blotting the areas impacted will help quickly remove the medium pieces of wood chips.
Wool Mulch
FAQ
How do you get debris out of a fleece blanket?
How do you get mulch out of fabric?
How to get bits out of fleece?
How do you get turf out of fleece?
How do you remove wood chips from a fleece blanket?
Use a handheld vacuum or shop vac to remove the large pieces from your sherpa or fleeced lined clothing or blanket. Heavy duty tape can be put around your hand to blot the spots that have mulch on your fleece. Blotting the areas impacted will help quickly remove the medium pieces of wood chips.
How do I get rid of mulch and wood chips?
Mulch and wood chips can be a time consuming task to take out manually. Here are some tips and tricks to help speed up the process. Use a handheld vacuum or shop vac to remove the large pieces from your sherpa or fleeced lined clothing or blanket. Heavy duty tape can be put around your hand to blot the spots that have mulch on your fleece.
How do you get wood chips out of Sherpa Fleece?
It’s a metal brush originally intended to remove lice, but works wonders in getting wood chips out of sherpa fleece. Be careful not to brush it all the way through the sherpa. The goal with a this metal brush is to allow you to comb it to near the middle so you can remove it by hand.