Product Care

Jackets

Why do we need to care for our waterproof and shell jackets?

As a garment is worn and used over time, soil from the environment and oils from our skin impedes the performance of these finishes. Regular washing is highly recommended to keep the fabrics free of harmful contaminants that can erode the waterproof and breathable properties.

 

How To Care For The North Face Waterproof And Shell Jackets

For the best results, use a detergent for waterproof and technical gear. These can be purchased at The North Face retail stores, or any reputable outdoor retailers.

Be sure to zip all zippers, and close all Velcro® fasteners before you wash your jacket.

Do not use powder detergents, fabric softener or chlorine bleach. You can wash your jacket in a regular washing machine, in cold water, on a gentle cycle. Put it through the rinse cycle twice, to be sure the detergent residue washes out. You can dry your jacket in a low temperature dryer. This will reactivate the DWR (Durable Water Repellent) protection.

 

My shell jacket will not stay dry anymore. What can I do about it?

The North Face outerwear shell fabrics are treated with a Durable Water Repellent finish (DWR). This finish helps the shell fabric resist wetting out so it easily falls off before being absorbed into the fabric.

If you notice water soaking into the surface of your jacket, this is a good time to wash your jacket, and apply a DWR retreatment product.

This will restore this coating, enabling it to shed water from the surface of the jacket and increase the time it takes for the fabric to wet out.

 

Feathers seem to be leaking from my jacket. Is this normal?

It is natural for some of the down and feathers to escape through the fabric, particularly the seams. The sharp quills of the feathers can poke tiny holes in the fabric and work their way through to the outside. It is normal for this to happen, particularly in newer products when the down has not had an opportunity to settle. It will not affect the insulating property of your product.

To minimize the amount of down that escapes, simply pull the down back through from the underside of the fabric and then massage the fabric and down underneath. This will cause the “hole” or separation in the fabric fibres to close up.

Do not pull the exposed down out of the fabric as this will result in a larger hole being created and more down escaping.

 

How do I wash my down jacket?

Periodic cleaning of down jackets is essential to maintaining maximum loft and ensuring the long life of the product. It is important to use a specific down-wash detergent which minimises any detergent residue from being left behind.

Drying a down jacket after cleaning takes time, and the down will not return to its original loft until it is completely dry. To expedite the drying process, place the item with one or two tennis balls into a tumble dryer on low heat. The tennis balls will bounce around and agitate the down, breaking down clumps and allowing the dry air to penetrate more deeply. Continue drying until item has returned to its original loft. If you can still feel clumps of down, continue drying. Check the jacket frequently to be sure the fabric is not getting too hot.

 

Tents

Can I get a replacement pole set got my tent?

Replacement tent pole sets are available for some models of The North Face tents. Please contact us with the model and year of your tent. This information is located on the tags that are sewn into the inside of your tent.

Some replacement pole sets are available in Australia, others may need to be ordered from overseas which require an extended lead time. Depending on the age of the tent, a replacement pole set may no longer be available.

 

How do I clean and store my tent by The North Face?

Proper cleaning and storage of your tent will help prolong its life. After using and before storing your tent, set it up and clean all dust and dirt marks with a sponge, mild soap, and tepid water. Rinse with a clean wet sponge. Allow the tent to dry thoroughly before dismantling it. Do not soak your tent, and never machine-wash it.

Store the tent loosely, in a large bag or container, in a cool, dry place – like you’d store a sleeping bag. Do not store the tent in its original stuffsack.

Be sure to wipe down your poles with a sponge or towel. Salt can corrode them, and dirt on poles stored with your tent can contribute to mildew growth. Be sure the shock cord in your poles is dry before storing.

 

My tent is going sticky and has a musty, mildew odour. What can I do?

A sticky fly-sheet or floor and a musty odour and/or small cross-shaped spots on the tent fabric indicate mildew formation. Mildew requires a dark, warm, moist environment (with dirt as a nutrient) to grow and reproduce. The fungus penetrates the urethane coating of the tent fabric, and grows in between the tent fabric and the coating, eventually destroying the fabric. This damage is irreversible, but immediate action can slow further mildew growth.

Should mildew begin to form, set up the tent and clean it with a sponge and warm soapy water, then rinse with a clean sponge. Next, sponge-wipe the tent with a solution of 1/2 cup Isocol and 4-litres of hot water. Leave the solution on the fabric and allow it to dry. Then, mix 1 cup of salt and 1 cup of concentrated lemon juice with 4-litres of hot water. Rub the solution into the visible mildew and once again, allow it to dry.

This procedure will stop mildew growth and eliminate the odour, but it will not remove the stain. Unfortunately, damage caused by mildew is not covered under warranty.

 

My tent fly is delaminating. What can I do?

Tent fly delamination can be caused by UV damage, mildew, improper cleaning and storage, and normal wear and tear. Tent fly delamination is not covered under warranty. There are tent re-coating products available at many outdoor retailers.

 

Sleeping Bags

What is the best way to store my The North Face sleeping bag?

The following is a list of general care instructions to help maintain the quality of your north face sleeping bag. Please refer to the care label attached to your sleeping bag for more specific instructions.

(1) Store your bag in the provided large nylon/mesh bag (instead of the smaller stuffsack or compression sack) which maintains the bag’s loft throughout its lifespan. Storing your sleeping bag in a small sack constricts the insulation, which can be harmful over an extended amount of time, resulting in the insulation being unable to regain its original loft.

(2) When not using your sleeping bag, store it in a cool, dry place.

(3) Completely dry the sleeping bag before storage. If the bag is stored when wet or damp, you run the risk of mildew growth. The most efficient way to do this is to air-dry the bag outside, avoiding direct exposure to the sun. When drying, alternately turn the bag inside out. This allows for the insulation to dry more rapidly through the lining materials as well as helping to freshen the sleeping bag.

 

Feathers seem to be leaking from my down sleeping bag. Is this normal?

It is natural for some of the down and feathers to escape through the fabric, particularly the seams. The sharp quills of the feathers can poke tiny holes in the fabric and work their way through to the outside. It is normal for this to happen, particularly in newer products when the down has not had an opportunity to settle. It will not affect the insulating property of your product.

To minimize the amount of down that escapes, simply pull the down back through from the underside of the fabric and then massage the fabric and down underneath. This will cause the “hole” or separation in the fabric fibres to close up.

Do not pull the exposed down out of the fabric as this will result in a larger hole being created and more down escaping.

 

How do I wash my down sleeping bag?

Periodic cleaning of down sleeping bags is essential to maintaining maximum loft and ensuring the long life of the product. It is important to use a specific down-wash detergent which minimises any detergent residue from being left behind. A front-loading washing machine is recommended, or alternatively, wash by hand.

Drying a down sleeping bag after cleaning takes time, and the down will not return to its original loft until it is completely dry. To expedite the drying process, place the item with one or two tennis balls into a tumble dryer on low heat. The tennis balls will bounce around and agitate the down, breaking down clumps and allowing the dry air to penetrate more deeply. Continue drying until item has returned to its original loft. If you can still feel clumps of down, continue drying. Check the bag frequently to be sure the fabric is not getting too hot.

 

How do I wash my synthetic sleeping bag?

We recommend that you use a front-loading washing machine or alternatively wash by hand. Wash in warm water with a mild powder detergent. Rinse several times to remove all the dirty, soapy water. An extra spin cycle will also remove excess water. Line dry, or tumble dry on very low, or no heat. Check the bag frequently to be sure the fabric is not getting too hot. Be sure your bag is completely dry before storing.

 

Footwear

How do I extend the life of my footwear by The North Face?

(1) Use a silicon-based weatherproofing agent to protect your leather footwear. There are several different products on the market – we recommend Grangers or Nikwax Waterproofing Systems.

(2) Clean your shoes after use, as mud and dirt getting into the fabric can cause fibre decay. Do not machine wash shoes. Instead, use hot water, a rag and a cleansing agent to clean the footwear. To dry, stuff shoes with paper and air-dry for best results.

(3) Store footwear in a cool, dry place between use. Be mindful, footwear stored unused for prolonged periods will degrade over time – so get out there.

 

Zippers

How do I keep my zippers running freely?

Keep zips clean from contaminants, such as salt and dirt, which can corrode and prevent zips from operating as intended. Sticky zips can accelerate failure caused by the exertion of excess force needed to move the zip. Clean zips with warm soapy water and ensure detergent is rinsed off completely. A small amount of lubricant can be applied to help the zip glide freely.

 

My right-hand zip The North Face sleeping bag is not compatible with my left-hand zip bag. What can be done so they will zip together?

All left-hand zip The North Face sleeping bags should be zipper compatible with all right-hand zip The North Face bags. However, due to manufacturing design changes over the years, this may not be true for older bags.
After reading our product care, if you need send a warranty or repair request please fill out our contact us form.