It’s a win-win that will save you money—and save the environment.
A well-maintained item of clothing will feel better when you use it, provide better protection from weather, and do so for longer. Of course, this kind of advice applies not only to clothes, but to all equipment we take with us out into the outdoors. Having the right clothing and gear, taken care of in the right way, ensures we’re able to focus more on the experience in nature when adventuring.
Yes, it’s about washing your clothes and keeping them clean, but it’s also about doing so judiciously. Often, it’s enough to simply air or rinse a garment—not only prolonging its life but providing a savings for both the environment and your wallet. In addition to the specific care advice for each material that follows this section, here are some general tips on how to take care of your clothes:
- Air out the garment and use a clothes brush before washing.
- Don’t wash too often, and when you do, always follow the washing instructions found on the garment’s label.
- To reduce wear-and-tear and help the garment maintain shape during washing, close all zippers and Velcro straps; if possible, also use a laundry bag.
- Prevent post-wash wrinkling by hanging clothes to air dry and then folding them.
- Never use fabric softeners; the chemicals in these formulations negatively affect breathability and moisture transport in the material (see article “Why Not Use Fabric Softeners?”).
- Change clothes regularly and work with different layers; wearing the same clothes every day will wear them out faster.
NOTE: You are welcome to contact us with specific questions or concerns about laundering clothes that aren’t addressed here.