Washing outerwear

Preserve the technical properties of your outerwear and thermal clothing by washing it correctly

If you want to maintain the technical properties of your outerwear and extend its lifespan, it's important to use the correct washing and proofing agents. This applies to both your workwear and leisurewear.

It's especially important to wash outerwear with membranes correctly, such as hunting gear, ski jackets and pants, children's snowsuits, work jackets, softshell jackets, and clothing with reflective materials. Washing these items with the wrong detergent can damage their breathability and reduce their waterproofness. Never use fabric softener on these products, as it destroys the membrane, causing the garment to lose its breathable and waterproof properties.

Here's what you can do to extend the lifespan of your outerwear:

• Empty the pockets and close the zippers.
• Wash the clothing in the washing machine with the correct detergent without overdosing.
• Follow the care instructions if the clothing needs to be proofed afterwards. If you use Nikwax wash-in proofing, the garment doesn't need to be dried before proofing.
• Dry the garment according to the care instructions to avoid damaging the filling and to preserve its properties.

Learn more about washing workwear and laundry symbols

Clothing with membranes

For jackets to be breathable and wind- and waterproof, they are equipped with a membrane, e.g., Gore-Tex, Helly Tech, or another membrane that keeps wind and water out. At the same time, the membrane allows excess heat to escape, so you don't get damp and cold under the jacket. This membrane cannot withstand being washed with fabric softener - as it clogs the membrane and destroys it along with its technical properties. Therefore, it's important to choose a detergent designed for membranes when washing your outer and winter wear. This way, you protect the membrane while it's cleaned and can function as intended in terms of being waterproof and breathable.

As outerwear is washed and used over time, it will eventually lose properties such as waterproofness and windproofness. Therefore, it's important to occasionally use a proofing agent that can restore these properties and maintain breathability.

Here you can find a selection of detergents and proofing agents for use directly in the machine

Fleece jackets and mid-layers

If you don't treat your fleece clothing with suitable products, it won't insulate as well and may feel damp. This is because water can accumulate between the fibers. Dirty fleece can hold more water. You can avoid this problem by washing it.

Choose a mild detergent possibly for synthetic fabrics, don't use too much soap, and never use fabric softener, as it settles in the fleece and reduces its insulating ability.

Softshell products

For softshell jackets, you can use a detergent intended for clothing with membranes, to preserve it. See wash, care, and proofing agents here. For softshell, it's also important not to use fabric softener.

To maintain breathability and water-repellent effect, you can apply a proofing agent like Softshell Proof from Nikwax after a few washes.

Down jackets

Jackets and other products with down require a detergent designed for down, so as not to destroy the natural properties.

Many believe they are caring for their outerwear by sparing it from washing. This is not the case, as the insulation ability is reduced when the garment is not clean. Down clumps together over time as it absorbs fat and moisture. The whole advantage of down is the insulating air between the down feathers.

Products with down should be centrifuged at low speeds initially, then the speed can be increased until the water is spun out of the down. If the care instructions say so, down products can be dried in the dryer with tennis balls, which separate the down. If you don't dry the jacket completely, it can ruin the down, causing them to start smelling.

Thermal underwear and sweat-wicking underwear

A sweat-wicking base layer or thermal underwear helps to transport moisture away from the body. This helps to keep the body warm and dry. To maintain the properties and extend the lifespan, the clothing needs to be cleaned, so it doesn't start to smell.

Wash the clothing in Activewear detergent or sports detergent in the washing machine to clean the fibers and improve air circulation. This contributes to the clothing drying quickly and insulating better.

Here you can find detergent for thermal underwear and sweat-wicking underwear.

Clothing with wool

Your wool products are delicate. Therefore, it's important to choose the right detergent. It should be enzyme-free, as the properties of the wool are otherwise weakened, fibers are damaged, and the wool doesn't insulate as it should. Here you can find wool detergents.

You must follow the washing instructions in the garment closely, as the wool will otherwise felt, shrink, and be destroyed. When you wash wool products with care and a good detergent designed for wool, it lasts a long time and provides optimal insulation and comfort.

Wool should not be stretched too much when drying, as it can become misshapen. For example, lay a heavy wool sweater on a drying rack to maintain its shape.

Detergent and the environment

By choosing a detergent or proofing agent that is considerate of the environment and people, you help reduce environmental impact. The washing and proofing agents on this webshop focus on being free from PFAS/PFOS, and in some cases, are biodegradable.

Find the entire range from Nikwax here.