How to Care for Carhartt Gear: Keep Your Workwear Looking New and Lasting Longer

When we’re spending our hard-earned money on quality workwear, we want and expect it to last the distance. While robust materials and exceptional craftsmanship go a long way toward longevity, they’re not the only factors. How you care for your workwear also makes a difference. 

If you’re the proud owner of Carhartt gear, keep reading to learn how to keep it looking new and lasting longer: 

Follow Care Label Instructions

It doesn’t matter whether you own winter workwear to keep you comfortable during the coldest months of the year or traditional, everyday working attire, you can keep it looking its best for as long as possible by following the care instructions on the label.

All Carhartt workwear comes with care instructions printed on the tag or included with the packaging. Following those instructions is the best way to reduce the risk of accelerated wear and tear and damage. 

If you can’t find the care instructions, or they’ve worn off, the following care directions are suitable for all Carhartt workwear and garments: 

• Woven shirts, base layers, shirt jackets, canvas shorts, canvas pants, jeans, shorts, sweats, and t-shirts: Place on a cold wash cycle, and do not bleach. After washing, tumble dry on medium. Remove promptly once the cycle has finished. 
• Jackets and coats: Wash your winter jackets and coats in warm water, and do not bleach. Once washed, tumble dry on a medium setting. Remove from the dryer promptly.  
• Duck shorts, duck pants, and bib overalls: Place on a warm wash cycle, and do not bleach. After washing, tumble dry on medium. Remove promptly once the cycle has finished. 
• Coveralls: Place on a cold wash cycle, and do not bleach. After washing, tumble dry on no-heat or hang to drip dry. Remove promptly once the cycle has finished. 
• Caps: Handwash with cold water. Do not bleach. 
• Gloves: Spotwash by hand in lukewarm water with a mild detergent. Do not use hot water. Do not put it in the dryer. Hang to dry. 

How to Maintain the Thermal Protective Properties of Carhartt Flame-Resistant Clothing 

Thermal protective properties in garments are crucial for managing heat transfer by retaining body heat in cold environments or protecting against high-temperature hazards. Thermal protective garments perform best when maintained according to the recommended care instructions. 

• Carhartt flame-resistant unlined, denim, twill, and chambray clothing: Machine wash warm at temperatures not exceeding 160°F (70°C). Don’t use softeners, starch, chlorine bleach, or hydrogen peroxide bleach. Tumble dry on low and remove promptly once the cycle is complete. Iron on a low heat. These garments are dry-cleanable. 
• Carhartt flame-resistant lined clothing: Machine wash warm at a temperature not exceeding 140°F (60°C). Don’t use softeners, starch, chlorine bleach, or hydrogen peroxide bleach. Tumble dry on low and remove promptly once the cycle is complete. Iron on a low heat. Carhartt flame-resistant lined clothing is dry-cleanable. 

How to Care for Carhartt Zippers

To prevent wear or untimely failure of the zippers on your Carhartt workwear garments, take note of these important care tips: 

• Completely open the zipper when dressing and undressing, as an incomplete opening can cause damage to the element or slider. 
• Maintain a specific iron temperature* when ironing, and ensure the zipper is completely closed with the slider pull-tab in the regular position. 
• Always use an ironing cloth on the zipper. 
• Close all zippers when using the washing machine or dryer. 
• Where possible, use a laundry net for garments with long or slim slider pull-tabs
• After using a dryer, do not use garment zips until the garments have cooled to room temperature. 
• Use softeners, paraffin, or wax to regain zipper smoothness if a strong alkaline detergent or chlorinated bleach has affected zipper operation.
• Don’t presoak garments with zippers in washing solutions, as it may cause damage. 

*Specified ironing temperature table: 

The Carhartt Built to Last Commitment℠

If you’re worried about your Carhartt gear not lasting the distance, don’t be. The more you learn about the Carhartt Built to Last Commitment℠, the more peace of mind you can have, knowing Carhartt stands behind the quality, craftsmanship, and performance of all products they produce.  

Under the Carhartt Built to Last Commitment℠, if one of your Carhartt products doesn’t meet your expectations, they’ll strive to make it right by repairing, replacing, or crediting the item. 

However, as all garments have an expected service life, the commitment doesn’t cover normal wear and tear, neglect, obvious abuse, or misuse. A reasonable, transparent charge may also apply to repair services when garments show normal wear and tear. 

Whether your Carhartt garment is showing wear and tear or has been damaged in some way, Carhartt can: 

• Replace zippers on jackets, coats, vests, bib overalls, coveralls, and pants 
• Patch holes smaller than 1.5 inches on duck, denim, and twill fabrics
• Repair knit sleeve cuffs on jackets, coats, and coveralls
• Repair elastic bib overall straps 
• Repair and replace bib hardware 
• Repair buttons, snaps, and closures on jackets, coats, vests, bib overalls, coveralls, and pants 

If you can’t part with your Carhartt workwear for repairs, you can also purchase DIY repair kits. Carhatt produces three custom kits with zipper sliders, fabric patches, and buttons: 

• DIY button repair kit: 8 Carhartt logo buttons, 8 tacks
• DIY iron-on repair patches: Patches available in black, dark brown, and Carhartt brown
• DIY No.5/No. 10 zipper slider repair kit: Two sizes to fit the two most common Carhartt zipper sizes

Ready to Buy New? Shop at J.M.D. Sox Outlet 

Carhartt workwear is designed to last the distance, but that doesn’t mean you don’t want to expand your workwear closet! Shop the range at J.M.D. Sox Outlet at Oak Forest and Hoffman Estates in Illinois. 
Our friendly, knowledgeable in-store teams are here to provide a memorable shopping experience, helping you choose the right workwear based on your comfort requirements, style preferences, and industry. If you have any questions feel free to contact us for more information.