How to Wash Your Ski Clothes Without Damaging Them?
How to Wash Your Ski Clothes Without Damaging Them?
October 3, 2025 (8 minutes reading time)
Does your down jacket smell of sweat after a week on the slopes? Is your ski pants covered with mysterious stains? Washing your ski clothes isn’t as simple as tossing a T-shirt into the machine.
These technical garments are designed with breathable membranes and water-repellent treatments that deserve special care. Wash them the wrong way, and you can say goodbye to waterproofing! The good news: you can wash everything at home as long as you follow a few simple rules. Low temperature, the right detergent, and careful preparation… Follow our guide to keep your trusted ski companions in top condition—whether it’s a Gore-Tex jacket or a one-piece suit.
Table of Contents
When Should You Really Wash Your Ski Clothes?
The ideal washing frequency for ski gear depends on how often you use it. For technical garments with membranes, one or two washes per season are usually enough. Washing too often can damage technical properties, but sweat and sunscreen residue can also clog membranes.
Prefer a wash at the end of the season before storage, with an extra quick rinse to remove detergent residue. Hand washing is also an excellent option for delicate pieces, followed by air-drying away from direct heat sources.
Quick warning signs:
Loss of water repellency (water soaks in instead of beading)
Persistent sweat odors
Visible sunscreen or salt stains
Excessive damp feeling while skiing
Preparing Your Ski Outfit for Washing
Empty pockets and close zippers Check every pocket—chest, hip, sleeve, even those small inside ones—for passes, tissues, energy bars, or anything else that could cause damage during spinning. Then zip up all closures: main zippers, pockets, underarm and leg vents. This protects Velcro strips and prevents snagging. Loosen all drawstrings completely to keep them from tangling. Avoid aggressive synthetic programs and powdered detergents, which can clog membranes.
Read the care labels Always check the garment’s inner label. Each brand specifies instructions tailored to its technology: maximum temperature, recommended cycles, and restrictions. Technical fabrics have specific needs that differ from natural fibers.
Treat stains before washing For stubborn stains (mud, grease, hot chocolate), pre-treat with a gentle stain remover designed for technical textiles—or simply warm water and mild soap. Gently rub the area without damaging the fabric or membrane. Let sit for a few minutes before washing.
Machine-Washing Ski Clothes: Step-by-Step
Preparing the machine Make sure your drum is clean and free of detergent residue. Wash ski gear separately or with only 2–3 similar items to avoid excessive friction. This allows better water circulation and more effective rinsing. Keep hangers ready to hang garments immediately after washing.
Choosing the program Select a “synthetic” program at low temperature (max 30°C / 86°F) with a gentle spin (max 800 rpm). Always add an “extra rinse” option to remove detergent residue from breathable membranes. Avoid intensive cycles that could damage seams and water-repellent coatings.
How to Wash a Ski Jacket in the Machine
Program, low temperature, and first cycle Set the machine to 30°C (86°F) max, synthetic cycle, gentle spin (800 rpm). Turn the jacket inside out to clean sweat buildup on the inner lining. Wash it alone or with similar garments. Always add a second rinse cycle.
Which detergent to use? Use a detergent made for technical clothing, like Nikwax Tech Wash, which cleans without damaging waterproofing. If unavailable, use a liquid detergent (never powder), then run an extra rinse cycle without detergent. Never use fabric softener.
Washing Ski Pants and One-Piece Suits
Ski pants Wash like a jacket: 30°C, synthetic cycle, gentle spin. Pay attention to the lining, where sweat and bacteria accumulate.
One-piece suits Because of their volume, wash them alone. Or hand-wash in lukewarm water with diluted technical detergent, gently rubbing stained areas. Avoid dry cleaning—its chemical solvents destroy membranes.
Washing a Gore-Tex Ski Jacket
Gentle washing Close all zippers, empty pockets, and wash at 40°C max on delicate cycle with a small amount of liquid detergent. Never use softener or bleach.
Reactivating DWR After air-drying, tumble dry on low heat for 10 minutes to reactivate the durable water repellent (DWR) treatment. If water repellency is still weak, apply a spray-on waterproofing product.
Choosing Detergent and Waterproofing Products
Special detergents: Use products like Nikwax Tech Wash or NST. They respect membranes and avoid clogging. Always double rinse if you use regular detergent.
2-in-1 waterproofers: Products like Nikwax TX-Direct restore water repellency without harmful PFCs. Easy to apply by machine or spray.
Drying Ski Clothes Properly
Avoid the dryer High heat damages membranes and coatings. Keep clothes away from direct sunlight, radiators, and heaters.
Air-drying Hang in a ventilated room on wide hangers (jackets) or clip hangers (pants). Turn clothes occasionally for even drying.
💡 Tip: If you must use a dryer, add tennis balls to prevent clumping.
Reactivating Waterproofing
Water drop test Sprinkle water on the fabric. If drops bead, DWR still works. If water soaks in, reapply waterproofing.
Methods
Spray-on: Apply evenly to clean, dry fabric from ~20 cm away. Let dry 10–12 hours.
2-in-1 wash: Pour waterproofing liquid into the softener compartment and run a delicate cycle at 30°C.
📣 Need a new Picture jacket? Check out our Gore-Tex® PFC-Free selection for men and women!
Caring for Ski Accessories
Gloves and hats Hand-wash gloves (especially Gore-Tex) in lukewarm water with mild soap. Dry slowly. Hats can go in the machine at 30°C on delicate cycle, without fabric softener.
Base layers and socks Wash after each day at 40°C max. No softener. Turn inside out and air dry. Always pack enough spare technical underwear, as they dry slowly.
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