The next time you’re cursing your high-tech clothing with equally high price tags between chattering teeth, maybe the problem comes from the laundry room. Outdoor enthusiasts depend on their clothing for comfort, weather protection, and performance. The easiest way to keep your clothing working for you is to keep it clean; however, the effectiveness of today’s high-tech fabrics can literally go down the drain with improper washing and drying. But you don’t have to be a textile techie to maintain high returns on your clothing investment. Just follow these basic rules of care and your garments will last longer and perform better.

Become Label Conscious

The label sewn into the neck of your garment tells you more than just what size it is. It’s your best source of information on what type of fabric the garment is constructed of and the recommended care instructions. Typically, the back of the label contains the care instructions, but some may refer you to another label sewn into the body’s side seam.

All clothing labels in the United States are required to list the generic names of all the garment’s fibers in the amount of five percent or more of the total fiber weight. The outer hang tag touting all the garment’s features may say Gore-Tex or Thinsulate, but the inside care label will tell you that it’s made of a certain percentage of polyester.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s Care Labeling Rule also requires clothing manufacturers and importers to provide at least one method of care necessary for the ordinary use of a garment. Additionally, the label must warn against the use of any methods, which would harm the clothing. Laundry instructions are given in the order of washing, bleaching, drying and ironing. Some labels contain written instructions– others utilize symbols. Learn to decode these symbols and you’ll avoid any clothing casualties.

Check Your Laundry List

• Deal with stains first. If you’re not sure how to treat them, look on the manufacturer’s website to see if a proprietary stain removal product can be used without adversely affecting the fabric’s performance.
• Check your garment’s pockets. A forgotten lip balm or map pen can cause staining or damage beyond repair.
• Zip it. Zippers should be closed three-quarters to allow sufficient water penetration for cleaning, but prevent the slider from becoming damaged by the agitator or tumbler motion. Velcro closures should also be fastened to avoid abrading other garments.
• Know your washer and dryer. Actual water temperatures obtained in your home can depend on your water heater settings, while dryer temps vary between models and as they age. A quick hand check will help you gauge which settings work best.

Rub A Dub Dub – Three Coats in a Tub?

How you load your washer and dryer is just as important as the settings. Don’t overload the washer or the clothes won’t get enough agitation to clean them. Overloading can also cause the soap to not dissolve thoroughly, leaving a paste residue. An overfilled dryer will not allow the clothes to tumble freely, resulting in a longer drying time and more wrinkles.

Your mother probably taught you to always separate lights and darks, but you also need to separate:

• Synthetics such as polyester from natural fibers. Natural fibers like cotton release oils during washing and may build up on synthetics causing spots to become more noticeable.
• Heavily soiled items from those only slightly soiled. This helps to keep colors brighter and prevent fading.
• Delicate fabrics from tougher ones. Your Coolmax t-shirt will last longer if you wash it separately from your Cordura barn coat.

The Right Suds for Your Duds

It’s just as important to read the labels on your clothes wash as it is the care labels. Regular detergents are designed to leave perfumes, brighteners and other residues behind, which can hamper your garment’s ability to breathe, wick and dry faster. Bacteria can also grow in the residue, causing your clothes to smell. And to make matters worse, some liquid detergents contain emulsifiers that can damage the DWR (durable water resistant) coating on clothing. Specialty cleaners such as Nikwax Tech Wash and Penguin Sport-Wash remove not only soil and nasty odors – but also prolong the life of your outdoor clothing. Bottom line - follow the garment’s manufacturer’s suggestions and avoid using bleach or other additives. Fabric softeners or cleaners such as Woolite contain waxes and oils which can also adversely affect a garment, sealing off its breathability.

Jumpstart Your DWR

DWR finishes are applied to the outer face of fabrics during the manufacturing process. The special polymers help prevent the fabric from absorbing water by making it bead up and roll off. However, these treatments are not permanent – repeated washing, wear, abrasion, and even the sun’s rays can break down and rub off DWR finishes. You may notice that your garment seems to be leaking, when instead it has lost most of its ability to allow internal moisture to escape. This results in a build up of condensation, leaving you feeling cold and clammy. To initially restore the DWR finish, simply launder and dry the garment according to the care label. The heat from the dryer will realign the DWR molecules over the entire surface of the garment. This procedure will work for a few wash/dry cycles and then you will need to apply an aftermarket aerosol or pump spray treatment such as ReviveX (from the makers of Gore-Tex), Nikwax TX-Direct Spray-On or Tectron Fabric Protector. Some DWR treatments can be added in during the wash cycle, but they can sometimes inhibit the wicking capability of some garments, such as storm shell liners.

High Tech Fabrics

Gore-Tex and synthetic fleece, such as Polartec, are two of the most revolutionary high performance fabrics. Outerwear made from these fabrics is easy to care for using the following instructions:

Recommended Care of Gore-Tex

Wash – Machine wash warm using powder or liquid detergent. Do not use fabric softener.

Bleach – No chlorine bleach.

Dry – Tumble dry warm, remove promptly.

Iron – Steam iron warm.

Dry Clean – Follow manufacturer’s instructions. If professional dry-cleaned, request clear distilled solvent and spray repellent.

Water Repellent Treatment – Gore recommends a topical water repellency restorative. They do not recommend wash-in treatments.

Recommended Care of Synthetic Fleece

Wash – Machine wash cold using powder detergent. Do not use fabric softener.

Bleach – No chlorine bleach.

Dry – Tumble dry low. Remove promptly.

Iron – Do not iron or steam press.

Dry Clean – Do not dry clean.

Water Repellent Treatment – Use Nikwax Polarproof to maintain the fabric’s DWR finish.

Closet Cues

A well-organized closet keeps your clothes easy to find when nature calls you outdoors.

• Choose hangers for specific types of clothing. Coats or other heavy garments should be hung on wide, supportive hangers. Hangers for fold-over pants make them ideal for two-tier closets.
• Sweaters should be folded and stacked neatly on shelves or in breathable boxes. Never hang them or they’ll stretch out of shape.
• Store boots and shoes in boxes with photos attached to each box for quick identification. Boot trees will help soft leathers hold their shape.
• Small items like gloves and hats can be stored in a space-saving multi-pocket organizer.

High performance outdoor wear can transform your relationship with nature. It allows you to extend your comfort zone, leading to a whole new range of opportunities. Take care of your clothing and it will take care of you.