For many people, the winter means one thing: ski season. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people head to the mountains of France, Italy, Austria and beyond for their adrenalin fix in the snow. Of course, when heading to the mountains, you need to ensure that you have the best ski suits, ski jackets and salopettes to keep you warm and dry.
This ski equipment can be very expensive, though. That is why you want to ensure that you keep your ski jackets and ski trousers in the best possible condition. Cleaning them is one of the best ways to look after your ski wear, but how do you do it? We thought we would take a closer look.
Why should you clean your ski clothing?
Before we take a look at how to clean your ski suits, ski socks, gloves and other equipment, we thought we would first explore the importance of doing so. Purchasing this equipment is a big investment to make, and regular cleaning before putting it back into storage will help to maintain the material and keep it in the best condition possible. Properly washing your equipment at the end of the season will prevent dirt and grime from breaking the material down and damaging its performance. The vast majority of ski suits and snow sports clothing is treated with a unique technique called Durable Water Repellence (DWR) which causes water to bead up and roll straight off rather than soaking through. This is designed to keep you warm and dry, and correct cleaning will ensure this coating remains as effective as possible.
How to clean your ski clothing
When it comes to cleaning your ski clothing, it is important to break it down into the various components:
Base layers
Often made from wool or synthetic materials, base layers are an essential part of any skier’s or snowboarder’s wardrobe. After a few long days on the slope, though, they can begin to smell. While these will need to be cleaned regularly throughout the season, when you are ready to put your thermals, winter hats and beanies back into storage, you want to ensure they undergo a thorough and professional clean. To keep your thermals in the best condition, you should be using a non-biological detergent that does not contain any softeners, phosphates or brightening agents.
Outerwear
On those warm spring days, many snow sports enthusiasts love to ski in just a technical hoodie. This means they are continuously exposed to the elements, though, so you will need to ensure that they are thoroughly cleaned before going back into storage. As with your base layers, you want to ensure you are using non-biological detergent. However, you should include an extra rinse to remove any residual detergent that might reduce the effectiveness of the DWR coating.
Ski suits, ski jackets and ski trousers
When it comes to cleaning your ski suit, jacket or salopettes, then it is vital that you follow the care label. You should also make sure that you are removing any fur and belts from the jacket before washing and using a non-biological detergent free from softener and phosphates. As with your outerwear, you should include an additional rinse before letting the clothing air dry – just remember not to do so in the sunlight as this can cause colour degradation.
Need help cleaning your ski clothing?
If you are looking to clean your ski suit, gloves, thermals and winter hats before putting them into storage for the summer months, then the American Dry Cleaning Company is here to help you. Our specialist team utilise the latest techniques to ensure we can thoroughly clean your equipment,keeping it in the best condition possible.
Want to find out more? Get in touch today!
