The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming and spring has finally sprung in most parts of the country. With temperatures rising from coast to coast, now is the time to wash and put away all of the calf jackets used over winter.
Kelly Driver, the Northeast Territory Manager for Calf-Tel, recommends the following tips when it comes to cleaning and storing calf jackets.
Wash – Most calf jackets tend to come with washing instructions. When laundering jackets, make sure to only wash a few at a time to ensure that your washing machine does not get overloaded. Driver notes that jackets should be machine washed at a maximum of 113°F.
“I would suggest calf jackets be washed just like any other barn jacket,” she says. “Be sure to remove any excess debris from the jacket and clean out the Velcro. A cat or pet brush with wire bristles can sometimes be helpful with this.”
Dry – When it comes to drying calf jackets, air drying is recommended. However, jackets can also be thrown into the dryer on low heat. Similar to washing, consider machine drying only a few jackets at a time to prevent the dryer from overheating.
Inspect - After laundering, Driver recommends taking time to inspect the jackets for any tears or flaws. Look over straps and buckles to ensure they are still working and consider patching any minor rips. Now is also a good time to take inventory of how many jackets you have and order additional jackets for next season.
Put Away – Once jackets are completely dry, they can be folded and put away for the season. Consider storing jackets in a plastic tote to help prevent rodents from making the jackets their new home. Jackets should also be kept easily accessible in case temperatures do drop.
