When you purchase a ski jacket, you buy a lightweight jacket that gives you enough moving room while protecting you from the cold weather.
Ski jackets are highly functional, and the kind of fabric used to make them is a vital part of their functionality.
Wrong laundry methods can heavily impact not just the durability of the jacket but also its functionality. In this article, you will learn the best way to wash the different types of ski jackets.
How To Wash Different Types of Ski Jackets
There are three main types of ski jackets. We have insulated ski jackets, down ski jackets, and waterproof ski jackets.
You can’t wash the different types of ski jackets the same way, so it is best to know the right way to wash each type of ski jacket.
Note: Do not wash your ski jacket with other clothing materials. Some fabrics tend to lose color and stain jackets, while others may rip the jackets. Always wash them alone.
How to Wash An Insulated Ski Jacket
Insulated ski jackets have an outer layer and an insulating layer that cannot be separated. They are perfect for icy conditions.
Some insulated jackets are made of synthetic materials such as polyester to create a balance of warmth and breathability.
Insulation jackets, especially synthetic insulated ski jackets, are delicate and can be washed by hand or with a washing machine.
How To Hand Wash an Insulated Ski Jacket
The safest way to wash your ski jacket is by hand because some washing machines tend to rip or damage the jackets. Here is a step-by-step process on how to hand wash insulated jackets:
Step One: Empty all Pockets
Nothing is more detrimental to a jacket than stray objects in its pockets; these objects can easily damage jackets during the washing process.
Ski jackets usually have lots of pockets, so it’s easy to forget things in them. Ensure you search every pocket and empty them before you begin washing.
Step Two: Fill a Large Container With Cold Water
You can use a large bucket, a tub, or a sink for this process. Make sure the container can hold enough water to cover the jacket completely.
Also, always use cold water to wash your synthetic insulated jacket to prevent damages like shrinking or stretching.
Step Three: Fill the Water With Specific Synthetic Insulation Detergent
Use the specially designed synthetic insulation detergent to wash your synthetic insulated jacket for the best results.
Add only one capful of the detergent to the cold water and mix it until it becomes very evenly mixed.
Step Four: Scrub the Jacket With Your Hand
Immerse the jacket completely in water and scrub gently with your hands. You can do this for about ten minutes, focusing on stained areas.
Avoid using a brush, sponge, or washcloth to scrub your jacket, as this would destroy the protective layer of the jacket.
Step Five: Rinse the Jacket in Cold Water
Rinse the jacket in plain cold water until there is no more soapy residue. You may need to do this more than once before getting the desired result.
Step Six: Drying Your Synthetic Insulation Jacket
Before drying, turn the jacket inside out to protect the fabric. You can either hang dry or use a drying machine.
If you use a drying machine, make sure you use the lowest heat setting available. Remove the jacket immediately until the jacket is dry, and hang it in your closet.
When hang drying, use a hanger and spread it in an airy area. After which, place the jacket on a flat surface, spread a towel on it, and use a mildly hot iron (set to synthetic) to run the jacket until it’s dry.
How to Machine Wash Your Synthetic Jacket
The best way to safely wash your synthetic jacket is by hand. However, if you must use a washing machine, ensure that you use a machine without a central agitator.
Front loading washing machines do not have such agitators and are less likely to rip your jacket during washing.
Step One: Prepare Your Jacket for the Machine
Preparing your jacket includes removing all objects from its pockets and zipping them up. Fasten all velcro straps so they don’t get cut up during the washing process.
You should also turn the jacket inside out to protect its fabric while in the washer.
Step Two: Add Your Detergent
Add the specific detergents to the washing machine, or you can use any mild liquid detergent.
Harsh chemicals such as fabric softeners, bleach, etc., can compromise the protective covering of your jacket. Please, avoid using them.
Step Three: Set the Washing Machine
Set the machine to the synthetic wash cycle and a mild spin rate of about 400-800 rpm. Always wash the jacket with cold water.
Once you complete the wash cycle, remove the jacket immediately from the washer.
Step Four: Drying the Jacket
You can dry your jacket in two ways-by air drying or using a dryer.
If you are air drying, place the jacket on a hanger and allow it to shed much of its moisture. Once the jacket is moderately dry, lay it on a flat surface, place a dry towel over it, and use an iron set to low heat to run over it.
If you have a dryer, set it to a low heat setting and place your jacket in it. In this case, ironing the jacket is unnecessary since the dryer will completely dry the jacket.
How to Wash Ski Down Jacket
Down jackets are made of insulation from either duck or goose feathers and are highly efficient in keeping the body warm during cold weather.
Like most jackets with delicate fabrics, they require a careful touch when you decide to wash them. Take the steps below to wash your jacket:
Step One: Prepare the Jacket Before Wash
Empty all pockets of the jacket, Zip up, and fasten all velcro straps, so they do not get stuck during the washing process.
Step Two: Prepare the Machine for the Washing Process
Add the appropriate detergent to the machine. Although you can use any mild bleach-free detergent, it is better to use a down-specific detergent.
Set the washer to medium heat setting and use a gentle wash cycle. Use warm water while washing as this would keep the fluff of the jacket.
Step Three: Place the Jacket in the Washer
Place the jacket in the machine and begin the wash cycle. Set the machine to a rinse cycle using warm water, and endeavor to rinse the jacket until no more soapy residues are left.
Step Four: Place the Jacket in a Dryer
Place the jacket immediately in a low heat setting dryer and throw in three or four dryer balls to prevent the jacket from clumping. Tennis balls work just as well if you don’t have dryer balls.
Check the jacket every thirty minutes to manually fluff it and ensure it is sufficiently dry. Once it’s dry, place it on a hanger and store it until the subsequent use.
How to Wash a Waterproof Ski Jacket
A waterproof jacket is any jacket that has been treated with a durable water repellent (DWR) coating; hence, water is likely to run off them rather than through them, enabling the fabric to dry faster.
DWR coating can be easily lost during washing, especially if you carry out the wrong laundry practices.
Follow the steps below to wash your Waterproof jacket without losing its DWR coating or damaging the fabric.
Step One: Check the Fabric Care Instructions
This step is essential as it helps you identify the type of waterproof coating you are washing. Each jacket comes with specific instructions on how to wash them.
Step Two: Prepare the Jacket for Washing
As always, empty every pocket in the jacket. Zip up all pockets and fasten all velcro straps to protect the jacket’s fabric.
Step Three: Adjust the Washer to the Appropriate Setting
Fill the washer with warm or cold water. Set the machine to a medium heat setting and low spinning speeds.
Add a cupful of liquid detergent (never use powdered detergents) to the washer.
Once the initial wash cycle is complete, rinse the jacket a second time using warm or cold water; this should eliminate all soap residues.
Step Four: Drying the Jacket
Dryers can damage your wet waterproof jacket, so you should always air dry the jacket first. Drying the jacket could take as long as a full day.
If you intend to reactivate the waterproof coating of the jacket, you can put them in a dryer set at low to medium heat settings for only 20 minutes. Do not dry it for longer.
If it’s not fully dry after 20 minutes, bring out the jacket and air dry until it fully dries up. The heat from the dryer will activate the waterproof coating. If this does not work, you can use a spray-on DWR treatment.
Hang the dryer in a well-ventilated part of your room until it dries up. Your waterproof jacket is now ready for use.
Note: Check the fabric care instructions on the jacket before placing your waterproof jacket in the dryer. Dryers are very bad for some waterproof fabrics.