How to wash a vest at home

Vests can give you a professional and elegant look, but how to wash a vest properly? Of course you can take your shirt to the dry cleaners, but you may also be wondering if you can wash your vest yourself at home. The answer is yes! In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from machine washing to spot cleaning and how to care for your vest. Read on to learn how to keep your suit smelling fresh!

Table of Contents

Things you need to know

Wet a small area of the shirt and rub the wet area with a cotton swab. If the color does not smear on the cotton swab, you can machine wash it.
Wash the vest in a mesh laundry bag on a gentle cycle with cold water to clean it and prevent it from fraying.
Maintain your vest by regularly cleaning stains and hanging it on a wooden hanger for storage.

Washing vest

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The less washing, the better, because vests are often very fragile. Machine washes and dry cleanings can damage the vest. Suits are usually made of structured fabrics, often delicate materials. Wash your vest only when absolutely necessary. If you’re not sure whether to wash it, check the smell on the shirt. If your vest is full of body odor, it’s time to machine wash or dry clean. ^{[1] X Research Source}

When it comes to washing, consider machine washing and dry cleaning. Don’t wash your vest by hand, because if you accidentally wash it unevenly, it can warp over time. Taking it to a dry cleaner is often the best option to keep your shirt in shape.
If you still want to hand wash, wash with very cold water and a mild detergent.
Obviously you don’t want to put on a dirty suit, so it’s important to strike a balance between re-wearing and limiting washing.

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Test the fabric first to see if your vest is washable. Choose a small area on the shirt (ideally in a place that is not visible when you put it on). Wet an area about the size of a dime and rub the damp spot with a cotton swab, then check again for discoloration. If there is a stain on the cotton swab, it means that the fabric is not hand or machine washable. ^{[2] X Research Source}

This means you need to find a dry cleaner. The shirt will be damaged if you wash it yourself at home.
Many suits are labeled “dry clean only,” but you can ignore this warning. If your vest has this label on it, take it as a reminder to be careful when handling the item.
It is difficult to know exactly which fabrics are washable and which are not. If you’re not sure, it’s best to try first!

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Choose a soap that is mild and suitable for the fabric. Regular laundry soap is too strong, regardless of whether your vest is made of wool, cotton, casere, or linen. You should choose a mild soap that matches the fabric of your vest. For wool and cashmere, choose wool and cashmere soap. For other types, you can choose soap flakes. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

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Fold and roll the vest to prepare it for washing. Unlike other clothes, vests are inherently fragile and can’t just be thrown in the machine and washed. You need to turn the shirt inside out, then fold it vertically, the two sleeves are above the bodice. Smooth out the creases on the shirt with your hands, then roll it tightly from bottom to top, like rolling a sleeping bag. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Put the shirt in the laundry mesh bag. Water isn’t the only hazard your shirt faces in the washing machine. When tumbled in the drum, the delicate vest fabric can be seriously damaged. This is when you need a mesh laundry bag. Place the folded and rolled shirt carefully in the pocket, then zip it up. Now your shirt is safe in the washing machine! ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Wash only one vest in the drum. This will reduce friction while washing.

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Wash your vest on the gentlest setting with the coldest water. Some people think that washing the vest in any mode is okay because there is a protective mesh pocket, but it is best to ensure the safety of delicate vests. Choose “cold” and “gentle” wash modes, then add soap and run the machine. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Pour wool detergent into the liquid soap dispenser, or pour soap flakes directly into the drum.

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Take the shirt out of the machine immediately after washing and let it dry (don’t use the dryer! ) It’s important to dry it properly to keep its shape. Spread the vest on a clean flat surface, smoothing out creases and wrinkles with your hands. Let the shirt dry naturally instead of putting it in the dryer. When the shirt is only slightly damp, hang it on a hanger to dry completely. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Do not dry your shirt in front of heat sources such as the sun or a fireplace. Heat can warp clothes.
Pro tip: lay a towel out on a flat surface before taking your shirt out of the washing machine. Gently spread the vest over the towel and roll the towel and shirt together. This way, the water will be squeezed out and the shirt will dry faster! ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Clean stains, brush and preserve vest

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Spot clean small stains with diluted lemon juice or vinegar. Got something ugly on the sleeve of a vest? The vest should only be washed when absolutely necessary, and at other times, you can clean the stains on the spot to make the shirt clean again. Dab cold water on the stain along with a few drops of lemon juice or diluted vinegar. Use a clean cloth to blot until the stain disappears. ^{[9] X Research Source}

To be on the safe side before cleaning stains, test first in a hidden part of the shirt. Dab a little lemon juice or vinegar on a small spot and test the cotton swab. If you see a stain on the cotton swab, you should take the shirt to a dry cleaner.
Lemon juice or vinegar should be used sparingly. Start with a few drops and add more as needed.

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Use a brush specifically designed for vests to clean the shirt after each wear. Brush the entire surface of the shirt in a downward direction. This will remove dust from your shirt and keep it looking cleaner for longer. Getting rid of visible dirt on a shirt is important, but the benefits go beyond that. Soil will stretch the fabric and over time will wear out the shirt. Combing is to solve this risk! ^{[10] X Research Source}

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Iron the vest with a steam iron to smooth out wrinkles. Pour water into the steam iron and adjust the iron to suit your shirt. Spread a piece of white cloth over the top of the shirt. Flatten wrinkles by pressing down, not rubbing. Continue ironing in this way, and before moving to another place check to make sure no new wrinkles are created during ironing. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Anything that stretches the fabric will gradually damage the shirt – steam will help limit this risk.
Pro tip: You can achieve a similar effect with a portable steam iron or hanging your bathroom vest while taking a hot shower with the door closed.

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Hang the vest on a wooden coat hanger in a cloth bag. Metal hangers are a suit’s worst enemy, as it will cause the shirt to warp over time. Hang your shirt on a special wooden coat hanger for vests, then put a vest pocket on the outside of the shirt. Ventilated vest pockets let the shirt “breathe”, keep its shape and prevent insect damage, all in one. ^{[12] X Research Source}

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Try not to wear the same shirt too often. When your job requires wearing a vest every day, this is difficult. But if you can, try to alternate between different tops. This way, your vest will have time to loosen wrinkles when hanging on a wooden hanger. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Things you need

Washing vest

Cotton swab
Wool and cashmere soap (or flake soap)
Laundry net bag

Vest maintenance

Lemon juice or diluted vinegar
Vest brush
Iron
High quality wooden coat hanger
Cloth bag for vest

Things you need to know

Steps

Washing vest

Clean stains, brush and preserve vest

Things you need

Washing vest

Vest maintenance

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