Look inside your garment -- there should be a white tag sewn in that includes washing instructions.  If it's not at the neck, check the side seam.  Sometimes codes are printed right on the fabric at the neck of the garment.  Minimum instructions would include at least four symbols:  Washing, Bleaching, Drying and Ironing.  Refer to the symbols below to decipher this code.

Follow Patagonia's directions, and you can expect a long lifespan for your clothing.  Generally, washing in cool to warm water and line drying is the rule.  Of course, with garments like tee shirts that require frequent washing, a trip thru the dryer won't be disasterous, but expect an approximate 3% shrinkage.

A Warning Regarding Fleece - Patagonia's fleece items are often made from recycled plastic, so a hot dryer will destroy these garments.  Personally, I hang these to dry and then give them a quick trip in the dryer with a damp tee shirt at the lightest or air setting on the dryer.  This fluffs the fleece nicely and removes any wrinkles.

This group of symbols refer to the Wash Cycle

This group of symbols refer to the Dry Cycle

This group of symbols refer to Professional Dry Cleaning

HoodaThunk's Patagonia Outdoor Gear

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