How to Wash and Care for Your Ski Clothes

Why Proper Care for Your Ski Clothing Matters

Technical Ski Fabrics Need Special Washing and Care

Performance fabrics require special treatment – you can’t just throw your waterproof jacket in with a regular load of laundry. Technical ski clothing consists of finely coordinated layers and membranes that work together to provide just the right amount of breathability, warmth, and protection. To keep it that way, proper care is crucial.

Extend the Life of Your Ski Clothing and Gear

With proper care, your skiwear will stay in shape longer, extending the lifetime of your gear and making it last both functionally and visually. Correct washing and drying not only keeps it fresh and clean but also ensures that membranes and coatings continue to function they were they were designed.

Keep Your Ski Clothing Waterproof, Breathable, and Warm

Over time, fine dirt particles and other residues settle in the materials, clog pores, and impair breathability. Even the water-repellent DWR finish eventually wears off and needs to be reapplied. To maintain its full functionality, you should wash your skiwear regularly and refresh the waterproofing.

General Tips for Washing Skiwear

Check the Label Before You Wash

Before washing, be sure to carefully read the care label inside the product. There you will find important information about the maximum temperature, drying protocol, and special care instructions.

Do I Need a Special Detergent for Skiwear?

Yes, it’s best to use a designated outerwear detergent for waterproof clothing. This solution cleans gently, leaves no residue, and doesn’t impair breathability or waterproofing. Alternatively, you can also use a mild, liquid detergent meant for delicates. It’s important to use it sparingly and avoid powder or fabric softener.

Should I Machine Wash or Wash by Hand?

Most ski jackets and ski pants can be easily washed on the gentle cycle of the washing machine. More delicate items like ski gloves are usually best washed by hand. Again, details can be found on the respective care label.

What Temperature and Spin cycle Should I Use?

30°C is usually sufficient to clean your ski clothing. When spinning, use the gentlest spin cycle possible, i.e., a maximum of 600-800 revolutions per minute. Excessively high temperatures or speeds can damage the materials, lamination, or waterproofing.

How to Wash a Ski Jacket

How to Prep Your Ski Jacket for Washing

Before washing your ski jacket, first empty all the pockets, close all zippers and Velcro fasteners, and turn the jacket inside out – this protects the outer layer and helps preserve the waterproofing. It’s best to put the ski jacket in the washing machine individually, without other articles of clothing. Do not put other soiled clothing in the machine, otherwise dirt particles can clog the pores.

Which Wash Cycle to Use for Your Ski Jacket

The ideal wash cycle is a gentle cycle at 30°C with a suitable liquid detergent. An additional rinse cycle can help to completely remove residue.

Best Way to Dry Your Ski Jacket

If the label indicates that the jacket can be tumbled dried, you can dry it on a low setting. This refreshes the waterproofing and keeps synthetic insulation fluffy. Turn the jacket right side out and shake it out gently before putting it in the dryer. Alternatively, you can air-dry your jacket – hang it in a dry, warm place but not in direct sunlight or on a heater.

How to Wash Ski Pants, Bibs, and Snow Pants

How to Prepare Ski Pants for Washing

Before washing your ski pants, empty all pockets, close pockets, and turn the pants inside out to protect the outer fabric and waterproofing. We recommend putting your ski pants in the washing machine on their own.

Best Wash Cycle and Detergent for Ski Pants

Wash your pants on gentle at 30°C with a mild liquid detergent or one specifically designed for cleaning outerwear. It can be a good idea to run an additional rinse cycle to get rid of any extra residue.

Best Way to Dry Your Ski Pants

If the care label recommends using a dryer, you can tumble dry your pants on a low setting. This reactivates the waterproofing and preserves the loft in your synthetic insulation. Turn your pants right side out and give them a little shake. If you’d prefer, you can also just hang your pants to dry on a line, but don’t put them in direct sun or on a heating unit.

How to Wash Ski Gloves

Things to Consider When Washing Ski Gloves

Not all ski gloves are suitable for washing machines – a quick look at the care label will let you know the best way to clean your gloves. In many cases, a gentler hand wash is the better choice.

Drying and Reproofing Your Ski Gloves

After washing, let the gloves dry thoroughly – ideally hanging or on a shoe dryer, but not directly on a heater or in the sun. If necessary, the waterproofing can be renewed with a waterproofing spray.

Cleaning Different Types of Ski Gloves

Leather vs. Synthetic Gloves

Leather gloves do not belong in the washing machine. They should only be cleaned with a soft cloth and then treated with a special leather care product. Gloves made of other fabrics are more resilient to washing, but they also react to the wrong cleaning agents or excessively hot water, so again, be sure to read the care instructions thoroughly.

Gentle Cleaning Methods for Delicate Materials

If your gloves just have a few light stains, you can clean them with a damp microfiber cloth. Treat more stubborn stains with a soft brush and mild liquid detergent. Never use stain removers or other aggressive cleaners on delicate fabrics.

How to Wash a Ski Suit or a One-Piece

Should You Wash It All Together or in Separate Steps?

One-piece ski suits take up a lot of space in the drum and should be washed alone. Apart from that, the same recommendations apply for one-piece kits as for jackets or pants: use liquid detergent for delicates or specialty garments and a gentle cycle at a low temperature.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Washing Skiwear

Avoid Fabric Softeners and Harsh Detergents

Don’t: Put fabric softeners or heavy-duty detergents in the machine. They can contain additives that leave residue behind, which can clog the pores of membranes, impair breathability, and weaken the water-repellent properties of your technical outerwear. For the same reason, don’t use stain removers or bleach.

Using the Wrong Water Temperature Can Damage Skiwear

Don’t: Wash your clothing too hot. Water that’s too hot can deform materials and dissolve the waterproofing. It’s best to follow the instructions, including water temperature, on the care label.

Use a Gentle Spin to Protect the Fabric

Don’t: Spin the machine too hard. High speed spin cycles can put strain on seams and can damage laminates. Choose the gentlest spin cycle possible – or skip spinning altogether.

How to Re-Waterproof Your Ski Clothing After Washing

The Right Time to Reproof Skiwear and How to Do It

How do you know when it’s time to reapply a waterproof treatment to your outerwear? You can do this at the end of every winter to keep your gear going strong. Or pay attention to water repellency: If water no longer beads up on the outer fabric, then it’s time for a new waterproofing treatment to restore the water-repellent properties of your exterior fabric. The waterproofing treatment can either be sprayed on or washed in. The clothing should be freshly washed and still damp when you apply the treatment.

How to Reproof Skiwear in the Washing Machine

Wash-in waterproofing treatments go directly into the fabric softener compartment of the washing machine – without detergent.

How to Use Spray-On Waterproofing

Waterproofing sprays are sprayed evenly onto clean, damp clothing, ideally outdoors or in a well-ventilated room. High-wear areas such as the shoulders or back side can be sprayed multiple times.

How Often Should You Reproof Ski Clothes?

As a general rule, a waterproofing refresher is recommended after a few washes. When water no longer visibly beads up, it's time to renew the waterproofing.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ski Clothing Care

How often should I wash my ski jackets and pants?

You don’t need to wash your ski clothing after every wear, but after heavy use like a big ski trip or a full season, or when the pieces are visibly dirty, it’s probably time for a wash.

Which detergent is best for ski clothing?

A liquid specialty detergent or mild detergent is ideal. Important: Use sparingly; do not use powder or fabric softener._

Can I wash my skiwear in the washing machine?

In most cases, you can machine wash your skiwear but always check the care label and select a gentle cycle at 30°C.

How do I know if the waterproofing is still working on my jacket or pants?

If water visibly beads up, the waterproofing is still intact. However, if dark, wet spots appear on the outer fabric, it should be re-waterproofed.

How do I remove tough stains from my ski clothes?

Pesky stains are best treated selectively with a damp cloth or soft sponge and a little mild detergent before washing the jacket. Avoid rubbing too hard.

How do I prevent my ski pants from losing their breathability?

To keep your ski pants breathable, you should wash them regularly with a special or mild detergent to remove accumulated dirt and sweat that impair their performance.