Fleece (Polar Fleece) Fabric: Properties, Uses & Care
Comprehensive fleece (polar fleece) fabric guide. Learn about fleece (polar fleece) fiber properties, breathability, durability, sewing uses, and garment care instructions.
Fleece is a soft, insulating synthetic fabric made by knitting polyester yarns and mechanically brushing the surface to create millions of tiny air-trapping fibers.
Key Properties
- Category: synthetic
- Breathability: High air permeability, though synthetic polymer body/10
- Durability: High resistance to tears; prone to surface pilling over time in budget grades/10
- Texture: Deep, brushed, velvety pile with a springy tactile feel.
Recommended Uses & Care
Common Uses: Zip-up winter jackets, Casual pullovers and hoodies, Thermal blankets, Joggers and sweatpants, Winter beanies and glove linings
Care Guidelines: Wash in cold or warm water (30°C–40°C) inside-out. Avoid fabric softeners, which coat the insulating fibers. Air dry or tumble dry on lowest heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is fleece warmer than natural wool?
Fleece provides comparable warmth to wool at roughly half the weight and dries much faster. However, wool is naturally odor-resistant and flame-resistant, whereas fleece can trap body odors and melts near heat.
How do you stop fleece from pilling?
Wash fleece garments inside out on a gentle cycle with cold water, skip liquid fabric softeners, and hang dry instead of tumbling in high heat.