How to Wash Heated Clothing: Gobi Heat Jackets, Vests, Gloves and Socks

Battery-heated clothing looks like it should come with complicated care rules. There are wires sewn into the lining, a battery pocket, and sometimes a remote or a power button on the chest. In practice, Gobi Heat says most of its heated jackets, vests, hoodies, base layers, gloves, socks and hats can go through a normal washing machine, as long as you follow a few steps first. This guide pulls together what Gobi Heat publishes on its own blog, FAQ and product pages as of November 2, 2026, so you can clean your gear without damaging the heating elements or the battery.

The short version

If you only remember one paragraph, make it this one. Gobi Heat's FAQ sums up its washing advice in a single sentence: disconnect the battery from the cable, place the cable back into the battery pocket, then wash and dry on gentle cycles. Its care article adds two firm rules: never dry clean heated clothing, and never iron it. Bleach and other cleaning solvents are also off the list, because Gobi Heat says they can cause irreversible damage to the insulation around the heating elements.

Before you wash: check whether you are keeping it

This step is easy to miss. Gobi Heat's refund policy says returned items must be unused and unwashed, and must come back with the battery and charger in the original packaging. If you have just received a new heated jacket and you are still deciding on size or style, hold off on the first wash until you are sure.

Gobi Heat's pages describe the return window in two ways. The FAQ says returns and exchanges are accepted within 30 days of receiving your order, while the refund policy page describes a 14-day postmark deadline (or 14 days after Christmas, whichever is longer). If you might return something, go by the shorter figure or contact Gobi Heat's customer service to confirm before the window closes.

How to wash heated jackets, hoodies, vests and base layers

These are the larger garments, and the battery usually sits in a zippered pocket inside the lining. Gobi Heat's care article lists four steps for heated hoodies, vests and base layers, and its jacket product pages describe the same machine-washable design:

1. Remove the battery. Unplug it from the connector cable and take it out of the garment entirely. The battery should never go in the washer.
2. Put the cable back in the pocket. Tuck the loose connector into the battery pocket so it does not flap around in the drum.
3. Zip the pocket closed. This keeps the connector contained during the spin cycle.
4. Wash and dry on gentle cycles. Use a mild detergent.

Gobi Heat's pro tip is to place heated apparel inside a mesh laundry bag. It says the bag adds a protective layer between the heated garment and other items in the washer and dryer, which helps protect delicate fabrics.

The product pages back up the "machine washable" claim model by model. The Element men's heated vest page, for example, says the vest is machine washable, and the FlexCore heated base layer shirt lists "Machine Washable – Easy care (remove battery before washing)" among its features. Gobi Heat's Zen heated blanket page also says you can just remove the battery and put it in the wash.

How to wash heated gloves and glove liners

Gloves get sweaty and dirty faster than a jacket, but Gobi Heat suggests not overdoing it. Its ski glove guide says once or twice a season should be enough for most ski gloves, while thin liner gloves absorb more sweat and should be washed at least once a month.

For battery-heated ski gloves and liners, Gobi Heat lists three steps:

1. Remove the battery pack.
2. Secure the cable connector back into the battery pocket.
3. Wash the gloves with a mild detergent on gentle washing and drying cycles.

The same article gives a few general glove tips that also apply to heated models:

• If your gloves have a removable liner, take it out and wash the glove and liner separately.
• Hand washing is always the safer option if you are worried about the machine.
• Avoid washing gloves loose with other items, since they can get snagged and warped. If you must, use a tightly closed mesh bag.
• Do not put gloves straight into the dryer after washing. Air dry them flat if you can, or wring them out well first.
• Leather gloves should be hand washed with a dedicated leather cleaner.

The key safety reminder from Gobi Heat is to make sure heated gloves are completely dry before you turn them back on.

How to wash heated socks and hats

Smaller items follow nearly the same routine. Gobi Heat's care article groups heated socks, hats and gloves together: remove the battery pack from its pocket, secure the connector cable back into the pocket, then wash on gentle washing and drying cycles.

Gobi Heat's Roam heated socks product page lists "Machine Washable – Designed for everyday wear" among its features. Roam socks ship with two rechargeable batteries and a wireless remote, so check that both batteries are out before washing and keep the remote well away from the laundry. The Mesa men's heated beanie is also described on its product page as machine washable.

Because socks and hats are small, a mesh bag is especially useful here. It keeps a sock from wrapping around a larger item or ending up inside a duvet cover.

What never to do with heated clothing

Gobi Heat is direct about the things that can permanently damage heated gear:

• No dry cleaning. Dry cleaning fluid can damage the insulation on the heating elements.
• No ironing. Gobi Heat says ironing can melt the wires and ruin the garment.
• No bleach or strong solvents. These can cause irreversible damage to the heating elements.
• No washing with the battery attached. Every set of Gobi Heat instructions starts with removing it.
• No powering on while damp. Wait until the item is completely dry.

Gobi Heat's own blog also explains that it uses insulated conductive thread in its heating zones and describes that material as thin, flexible, durable and machine washable. That is why gentle machine cycles are fine but high heat and harsh chemicals are not.

Looking after the battery while the clothes are in the wash

Washing day is a good time to check the battery itself. Gobi Heat sells replacement and spare batteries, and its FAQ points to a library of product manuals at gobiheat.com/instructions, including separate quick-start guides for jackets, hoodies and vests; gloves, socks and hats; heated base layers; and the heated blankets, plus a dedicated battery use guide. If your battery looks swollen, cracked or damaged, stop using it and follow the manual rather than putting it back in a garment.

Battery safety matters with any rechargeable product. In October 2026, Gobi Heat recalled its UT3053 rechargeable hand warmers over a fire hazard; our Gobi Heat hand warmer recall and battery safety guide explains what that recall covered and general charging precautions, and the recall news report has the official details. The recall applies to those hand warmers, not to Gobi Heat's heated apparel.

How long will the battery last after cleaning?

Washing should not change run time if you follow the steps above. For reference, Gobi Heat's FAQ lists these typical battery life figures by product type:

If a garment stops heating evenly after a wash, check that the connector is plugged in firmly and fully dry before assuming a fault.

What if something stops working?

Gobi Heat's warranty page says its products, including rechargeable batteries, are covered for one year from the date the product ships against defects in materials and workmanship. If a defect is confirmed, Gobi Heat will repair or replace the item at its discretion; warranty claims are not refunded. The warranty excludes misuse, neglect, unauthorized repairs, modifications and normal wear and tear, so following the washing instructions protects your coverage too. For orders placed on gobiheat.com, Gobi Heat says it reimburses return shipping costs up to $15 once a defect is confirmed.

Quick checklist

• Battery out, connector tucked away, pocket zipped.
• Mesh bag, mild detergent, gentle cycle.
• Gentle dryer cycle or air dry, especially for gloves.
• Fully dry before powering on.
• No dry cleaning, ironing, bleach or solvents.
• Wash only once you are sure you are keeping the item.

References

• Gobi Heat, "How to Clean Battery Heated Clothing": https://gobiheat.com/blogs/news/how-to-clean-battery-heated-clothing (accessed November 2, 2026)
• Gobi Heat, "How to Wash Ski Gloves": https://gobiheat.com/blogs/news/how-to-wash-ski-gloves (accessed November 2, 2026)
• Gobi Heat, "How Long Do Heated Jackets Last?": https://gobiheat.com/blogs/news/how-long-do-heated-jackets-last (accessed November 2, 2026)
• Gobi Heat, Frequently Asked Questions: https://gobiheat.com/pages/faq (accessed November 2, 2026)
• Gobi Heat, Refund Policy: https://gobiheat.com/policies/refund-policy (accessed November 2, 2026)
• Gobi Heat, Warranty: https://gobiheat.com/pages/warranty (accessed November 2, 2026)
• Gobi Heat, Product Instructions: https://gobiheat.com/instructions (accessed November 2, 2026)
• Gobi Heat, Element Men's Heated Vest: https://gobiheat.com/products/element-mens-heated-vest (accessed November 2, 2026)
• Gobi Heat, FlexCore Men's Heated Base Layer Shirt: https://gobiheat.com/products/flexcore-mens-heated-base-layer-shirt (accessed November 2, 2026)
• Gobi Heat, Roam Heated Socks: https://gobiheat.com/products/roam-heated-socks (accessed November 2, 2026)
• Gobi Heat, Mesa Men's Heated Beanie: https://gobiheat.com/products/mesa-mens-heated-beanie (accessed November 2, 2026)
• Gobi Heat, Zen Heated Blanket: https://gobiheat.com/products/zen-heated-blanket (accessed November 2, 2026)