Skiing isn’t a sport particularly strongly associated with the accumulation of dirt on clothing. This may be one factor explaining why the washing of ski wear perhaps doesn’t get talked about as much as it should be.
If you have any meaningful experience on the slopes, you’re probably accustomed to hearing how important it is to look after your board and skis. But you might not have come across so much advice on washing and caring for your ski jackets and trousers.
Indeed, some people don’t really wash their ski gear at all. They are, of course, free to make that choice. However, it could be detrimental to the functionality and lifespan of their ski clothing.
So, our ski gear experts in the UK at Ski Exchange decided that our readers might appreciate tips and advice on this frequently overlooked aspect of life as a skier.
Why is the washing of your ski jacket and trousers so important?
As we referenced above, if you were trying to come up with a ranking of “dirty” sports, skiing probably wouldn’t be one of the first to come to mind. However, the washing of your ski clothing is still crucial for a number of reasons.
Not only dirt, but moisture can accumulate on ski wear as you use it, particularly as you perspire. These elements, in turn, can impact on the water resistance and breathability of your clothing. They can damage the protective layer on your outerwear, possibly allowing water to penetrate the fabric, thereby leaving you wet and cold on the slopes.
By contrast, when you clean your ski jacket and trousers regularly, you can preserve the ability of your ski wear to repel water, and help maximise its freshness, comfort, and longevity.
So, what are the basic steps of washing ski wear correctly?
Follow these steps to best ensure your ski jackets and trousers remain in great shape:
- Begin by reading the labels inside the clothing
Whatever ski apparel you have, the chances are that the care instructions on the label will be broadly the same. However, there can be variations in the exact steps that need to be taken to care for a garment, so you should always check regardless.
Generally, you can expect the labels on your ski wear to warn against bleaching or dry cleaning of the garment, and to machine wash it in warm water, below 30 degrees C.
The label will also probably state that you should use a mild detergent or technical cleaner, and rinse well. It is also typically stated on such labels that the user should not tumble dry their ski clothing. Instead, they should hang it to dry in the shade.
- Check for stains, and treat them prior to washing
If there are any bad stains on your given item of ski clothing, you should treat this before you put the garment in the wash. To do this, use a sponge or a soft cloth to rub some mild detergent into the stain; then, put the outerwear into the machine.
- Check the pockets and close the zippers before washing
With ski clothing, it can be so easy to leave sharp objects, maps, or tissues – among other objects – in the pockets. So, make sure you check and clear them out.
Once you’re done with that, close all the zippers and any Velcro closures. Otherwise, there could be a risk of these parts catching onto other garments in the machine and causing damage.
- Make sure you avoid the use of fabric softener
It is crucial to ensure no fabric softener is added to the wash. Otherwise, the pores in the fabric of the ski clothing could become clogged, thereby compromising its breathability.
- Finally, get on with the washing of your ski garment
Presuming the given ski jacket or trousers are machine washable, you should ensure only cold or cool water is used. You are advised to opt for a delicate cycle with a low spin speed.
The detergent that you use should be gentle, or specially formulated with waterproof outerwear in mind. Another important tip is to avoid filling the machine – it is recommended that you stick to washing just two garments at a time.
We could go on and on providing tips on how to get the best results from washing your ski wear, but the above guidance constitutes the broad essentials.
By following the advice of our ski gear experts in the UK, you can help ensure your ski clothing continues to perform strongly throughout the ski season, while giving you years of pleasurable use.