Cleaning Ski Coats

When you are outside all day in the snow going up and down the mountain having a good coat is important, and so is the condition of that coat. Waterproofing and breathability are among the highest rated traits of a good ski coat. Most people are afraid to wash their coats because they think that it will ruin the coat. If you read the tag outlining the instructions about how to care for your coat you will see that it does instruct you to wash the coat.

With all of the high-tech fabrics coats are made of these days and all the possibilities for lining and fillers, I can see why some people do not even try to launder their snow gear. But as the fabrics have progressed so have the ways we clean them. Breathable coats made with Gore-Tex and other similar materials need to be washed regularly to retain that airflow. There are pores in the fabric that get clogged by oils, sweat, dirt, and other everyday things. When these pores are clogged the moisture and the heat emanating from your body cannot escape causing the inside of the coat to sweat. Unfortunately some detergents also clog these pores but there are some formulated specifically for cleaning these types of material. Check the store or website you bought the coat from. Chances are they will have a soap you can use or at least have a few suggestions.

The waterproofing on your coat is what makes the water bead off and keeps the water from soaking into the fabric and clogging the pores and limiting the breathability of your coat. There are products made to use either in the washer or to apply to the coat after washing to waterproof the material. These usually require the low heat of a dryer to bond with the fibers and create the water seal. You can apply these to almost any coat to protect the fabric from moisture and water staining.

The life of your ski coats and other gear will be so much longer if you care for them correctly. Regular washing the right way and a low tumble dry can keep your gear in good shape and nice and clean. Washing is definitely a good idea before the coats are packed away at the end of the season and also when taken out again at the start of the season. You do not have to live with the dingy look and unpleasant smell that can get stuck in your gear throughout the season as you play hard on the mountain.