How to wash a ski jacket? Step-by-step jacket care.
Washing ski clothing isn't as difficult as it might seem. It's important to wash technical clothing according to the manufacturer's instructions, at the appropriate temperature, and with the right detergents.
To wash or not to wash? And if so, where?
Ski clothing needs to be washed regularly. There are no exceptions. Remember that these are breathable materials that wick away moisture generated during activity. However, this doesn't mean that ski pants or a jacket are clean after a weekend on the slopes. The same principle applies here as with other technical clothing – these types of clothes need to be washed regularly.
It's not worth taking your ski wear to a dry cleaner, however. A women's ski jacket can lose many of its valuable properties there. While we're accustomed to taking clothes requiring special care there, in this case, it's definitely better to wash your jacket at home. Dry cleaning carries a significant risk of damaging the fabric and weakening the jacket's waterproof properties due to harsh detergents. It's definitely better to wash your ski jacket or pants in a washing machine. Just follow a few basic rules, and it shouldn't pose any major problems.
Basic rules for washing sportswear
Ski clothing is waterproof, windproof, and thermally active. It uses specialized materials like Gore-Tex and other technologically advanced membranes.A men's ski jacket is one such example . The primary goal of washing, besides removing any contaminants, is to preserve all these properties. Invaluable information on how to do this can be found primarily on ski clothing labels. The basic rule for washing a ski jacket is to follow the manufacturer's instructions. However, not all labels include all the information.
General guidelines for washing ski jackets
- ski jackets, trousers and other membrane clothing items should be washed at 30 degrees Celsius,
- when washing, we use a spin speed no higher than 800 rpm,
- instead of washing powder (which may contain zeolites and silicates, which are particularly harmful to membranes), it is better to use liquid detergents (the liquid should not, however, contain lanolin, which can clog pores and destroy the breathability of the jacket); it is worth choosing specialist detergents for washing ski jackets and pants;
- Do not use fabric softeners or fabric softeners when washing ski jackets - these types of fabric softeners may negatively affect the properties of the jacket material.
Membrane jackets should be washed with extreme caution to avoid damaging the material's waterproof properties. Be sure to use a gentle cycle with a slow spin and low temperature.
Before putting your jacket in the washing machine, be sure to empty the pockets and close the zippers to prevent damage during washing. It's best to turn the membrane garment inside out, especially to prevent damage to any decorative elements during the spin cycle. It's important to ensure there's enough space in the washing machine. It's best not to force several pieces of such demanding clothing into the drum.
Drying ski jackets
The best solution for ski jackets is tumble drying. This is especially important for down jackets or those containing any down filling. Select a gentle drying program. Be prepared for the fact that the entire process can take several hours. However, if you want your jacket to last more than one ski season, it's worth keeping this in mind.
It's also important to remember to waterproof your clothes, as over-preservation can weaken the material's hydrophobic properties.
Proper waterproofing of ski jackets
Special products are used to waterproof sportswear, available at ski stores. However, it's worth paying attention to the properties of the laundry detergent you choose. It may turn out that it already has waterproofing properties, and additional protection is no longer necessary after the jacket has dried.
It's therefore important to carefully plan the entire process. Materials like Gore-Tex and others used in ski jackets require special care. Therefore, maintaining this type of clothing cannot be haphazard. If you take proper care of your ski jacket, you'll be able to enjoy it for many seasons.
