How Do You Wash Ski Clothes?
While skiing is not a dirty sport like those played on grass or mud, after spending some time on the slopes it’s still a good idea to give your ski wear a good wash.
After all, skiing is a form of exercise that is likely to leave you hot and sweaty so freshening up your clothes and removing any odour is always worthwhile.
The snow itself is unlikely to leave any stubborn stains, but you may be wondering about the best approach to washing your ski clothes. Unlike other sportswear, ski clothes are often made from different materials that sometimes need a unique approach.
So, how do you wash ski clothes?
Luckily for you, the team at Alpine Fleet is here to help. As well as providing leading shared and private transfers to the best ski resorts in the Alps, our expert team also have vast knowledge on a wide range of skiing topics.
In this article, we’ll explain the best way to wash your ski clothes.
Read on to find out more.
How do you wash ski clothes?
Some ski resorts may provide washing services for you, but you may also find yourself using the same clothing for the duration of your trip. In these instances, you will almost certainly want to wash your ski wear when you’ve returned home.
While people will dedicate time to make sure their skis or snowboards are in the best condition, sometimes the clothes themselves can become neglected. However, it’s important you give them the TLC they deserve as they play an essential role when you’re out on the slopes.
Your ski wear is designed to keep you warm and protected and allow you to enjoy the experience. With this in mind, washing them properly should always be a priority.
Fortunately, washing ski wear is extremely straightforward and can be done in most household washing machines.
However, there are a few tips you should follow to ensure you are washing your clothes as effectively as possible.
Always read the label
Before you wash any items, you should always take some time to read the advice on the clothing label. Some garments may have specific washing instructions that you will need to follow to make sure that you do not inadvertently damage them.
While these instructions may vary from item to item, some common themes that often remain the same when washing ski wear include:
- Do not dry clean
- Do not use bleach
- Machine wash in water below 30°C
- Use mild detergent
- Do not tumble dry
- Do not iron
In some cases, you may come across a ‘hand wash only’ instruction which means that a washing machine will not be suitable for that particular item.
Treat stains before a wash
As mentioned earlier, skiing is unlikely to cause too many stains with the snow likely to simply wipe off.
However, if you do notice any that have occurred it is a good idea to treat them before washing the item.
For particularly bad stains, use some mild detergent and rub it into the stain using a wet sponge or cloth. This will hopefully help to remove or lessen the stain, and you can then put the item in the washing machine to complete the job.
Check pockets before washing
Before washing your ski clothes you should check all of the pockets for any loose items. This could be tissues, coins, maps of skiing routes and other miscellaneous objects. Loose items can cause damage to the washing machine, and may even damage the garments themselves if left in during a wash.
At the same time, zip up all zippers and close any velcro parts. You don’t want any loose pieces of the clothing to catch onto the washing machine and rip or damage the item.
Never use fabric softener
While you may be used to using fabric softener on your clothes or bedding, you shouldn’t do so when washing ski clothes.
This is because it is bad for the water-resistant elements of ski clothing, causing the pores to become clogged and negatively impacting the breathability of the garment.
Dry thoroughly
Once you have washed your ski clothes, it is important that the items are properly dried.
One of the main purposes of ski clothing is to keep you warm and layered when out on the slopes, so if the garments are holding any moisture you will get wet and cold much faster.
If the clothing labels advise you not to use a tumble dryer, you should hang up the clothes and make sure they are completely dried before using them again.
Hand wash beanie hats
A beanie hat is a staple choice when skiing, helping to keep your head warm. We’d recommend hand washing these items as machines can ruin their elasticity and cause them to shrink.
Simply use cool water and mild detergent to do this.
Heading Skiing This Season?
Here at Alpine Fleet, we regularly provide visitors of the Alps’ best ski resorts with leading shared and private transfers. Helping guests seamlessly get to their resort and accommodation without having to worry about public transport or hire cars, all of our transport options are comfortable and convenient and operate from several airports that are close to the Alps’ most famous skiing areas.
This includes Geneva Airport. For more information or to book your transfer, contact our expert team today.
