Did you know that dirt and debris built up on your skit jacket can affect its ability to perform as it should? Ski jackets have a DWR (durable water repellent) coating on the outside face fabric which causes water droplets to bead up and roll off the surface. You may find that the reason your jacket no longer performs as it initially did is because the DWR coating has come away from the surface through wear or has been soiled by grime, dirt or other things. Once this coating is compromised the jacket’s face fabric starts absorbing water rather than repelling it and in turn the jacket loses its breathability. Washing your ski jacket periodically can help maintain its waterproof and breathable properties whilst keeping it clean, this in turn will extend the life of your jacket and keep it in tip top condition season after season. It is not just your ski jackets that need looking after, you can also use the same technique below to ensure your ski pants or waterproof trousers retain their waterproof and breathable abilities.
In this guide we will show you how to wash a ski jacket correctly to ensure it lasts.
Ski jackets are made from technical fabrics that should never be washed using ordinary detergent or fabric softener. The chemicals in detergent can break down the composition of the jackets fibres and strip the fabric of its waterproof coating. Always use a cleaner specifically designed for technical outerwear, such as our Wash n’ Proof cleaner and proofer which is PFC-free, this means it does not contain hazardous chemicals that are damaging to the environment.
1. Before washing do up all zips and close all flaps and tabs. Check there is nothing in the pockets.
2. To ensure your washing machine is clear of any other detergents or fabric softener clean the detergent compartment of your washing machine. You may need to run the washing machine on a hot wash with nothing in it to clear any residue.
3. Pour the correct amount of the cleaner into the detergent compartment. For our Wash n’ Proof product you will need 60ml of cleaner per jacket. Do not wash more than two garments at the same time and do not wash ski outerwear with other (non skiwear) items.
4. Place your ski jacket into the drum of your washing machine.
5. Allow the washing machine to run through a complete wash and rinse cycle at approximately 30 degrees. (Always check the label of your jacket for exact care details.)
6. Once washed your ski jacket can be left to air dry or if the care instructions allow it can be tumble dried on a low to medium heat (permanent press setting). Do not dry your ski jacket by hanging it over a heat source as this can damage the waterproof/breathable coating.
You can wash your ski jacket as many times as you like, it won’t damage your jacket to wash it regularly. However, most people choose to wash their jacket once per ski season. We’d recommend that this is after the season to get rid of any dirt or sweat that has accumulated during that time. Other’s choose to wash their ski jacket before, once during and after the season, but this is personal preference.
If you do decide that their is no saving your current ski jacket and you’d like to replace it with a new one, you can take a look at our range here.
