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It’s that time of year again! Time to unpack the ol’ ski suit. But if it is your first time grabbing your ski gear and you are noticing a bit of funk, let’s talk about how to wash a ski jacket to make sure you stay fresh, warm and dry this ski season.

Note: This post is sponsored by Nikwax Waterproofing, but all thoughts are my own.

Why Proper Winter Apparel Care is Important

Chances are you spent a lot of time researching the best ski jacket or shell combination to keep you warm and dry on the mountain. So now that you have the right jacket for you, you want to make sure it stays that way. That’s why it is important to properly care for your winter apparel to keep it functioning at its peak.

Did you know that when your ski jacket has dirt, grime, and oil on it, the jacket can actually absorb water? This is definitely not ideal for a ski jacket and can leave you cold and clammy. Your regular household detergents won’t do the trick here either. These can leave behind residue that get in the way of water repellency.

Additionally, prolonging the life of your gear is a sustainable practice. If your gear is functioning well, it’s less likely to need to be replaced. The greenest outdoor gear is the gear you already have.

How to Wash a Ski Jacket

Just the thought of figuring out how to care for expensive gear can be intimidating. Fortunately Nikwax has made the process easy to understand so you make sure to protect your gear.

1. Check the care label. The first and probably most crucial step to figure out how to wash a ski jacket is to check the tag. Every jacket will be slightly different depending on the fabric. Understanding this label is key to proper care of your jacket. This label will clarify if you should hand wash or use the washing machine, the temperature of the water, and if your jacket can be tumble dried. (Not sure what the laundry symbols mean on the label? Check out this post for more information.)
   
   
2. Remove laundry detergent residue from your washing machine. Regular household detergent can interfere with water repellency.
   
   
3. Clean your jacket. As we discussed earlier, dirty jackets can actually attract water, rather than repel it. In the case of most ski jackets, whether you are using a shell or synthetic filled jacket, you will reach for Nikwax Tech Wash. However if your jacket has down, you would choose Nikwax Down Wash Direct. If it is synthetic and down mix, still opt for Nikwax Down Wash Direct. Regardless of the Nikwax cleaning product used, you will notice that has a green top. Think green for clean.
   
   
4. Waterproof your jacket. One of the important perks of your ski jacket is that it keeps you dry. If you have noticed some water is getting through your jacket, it may be tempting to skip straight to this step without cleaning your jacket first. But it’s important to always clean before you waterproof. Think of it this way, you would never wax a dirty car.
   
   You want to waterproof while your ski jacket is still wet from cleaning it with either Nikwax Tech Wash or Nikwax Down Direct. If you have a shell or a synthetic filled jacket, you will reach for Nikwax TX.Direct Wash-In. In the case of a down filled jacket (or a synthetic/down mix), choose Nikwax Down Proof. Regardless of the Nikwax waterproofing product used, you will notice that has a purple top. Think purple for proof.
   
   
5. Dry your jacket. Either hang dry or tumble dry according to your care label.
   
   
6. Hit the slopes!
   
   
7. Repeat as needed, waterproofing about every 4-5 times you wash your ski jacket.
   

Drying Guidelines According to the Fabric of Your Ski Jacket

Down Jackets

If you don’t have a dryer, consider using a laundromat or a professional dry cleaner for your down jackets and other down clothing.

After all, a dryer is essential if you want to re-fluff the feathers. So, be sure to quickly transfer your jacket from the washing machine to the dryer without delay.

Moreover, try to load your down jacket into the dryer with four tennis balls to fluff up the feathers.

Lastly, choose a gentle (synthetic) cycle that reaches a maximum temperature of 140°F (60°C). This will be more than enough heat to completely dry and puff up your ski jacket.

Synthetic Clothing

If you don’t have a dryer, you will have to dry your synthetic clothing inside out on a hanger and reactivate waterproof treatment with a warm iron that is set to 230°F (or 110°C) max.

You can then use a towel over the outer fabric and do a quick pass with the iron for smooth drying.

Now, if you have a dryer then you will need to leave your clothing inside out, select a gentle ‘synthetic’ program that reaches a temperature of 140°F (60°C), and run one 45-minute cycle.

If needed, use hangers to finish drying your clothes or a synthetic ski jacket. No ironing is required since the heat of the dryer should maintain and reactivate the water-repellent treatment.

How to Wash a Ski Jacket FAQs

1. Can I Wash my Ski Jacket in a Washing Machine?

If you want to wash your ski jacket in the washing machine, check the care instructions on the tag inside your jacket.

If you can machine wash the garment then insert your ski jacket into the washing machine drum,

Start a complete wash and rinse cycle, with the temperature set at approximately 86°F (30°C).

2. How Do You Dry a Wet Ski Jacket?

To dry a wet ski jacket, hang it on a clothesline or a hanger, avoiding direct sunlight.

Also, maintain proper ventilation, ensure the jacket sits at room temperature, and periodically fluff the jacket to speed up the drying process.

Avoid using high heat sources like radiators or tumble dryers, as they can damage the jacket.

3. Do You Wash Ski Gear Inside Out?

It’s always a good idea to wash your ski gear inside out. This helps the outer layer stay in great shape so that it can last longer, maintaining the jacket’s performance and appearance.

4. How Do You Wash a Peak Performance Ski Jacket?

To wash a Peak Performance ski jacket use a mild detergent and cold water. Try to zip up all the zippers, turn it inside out, and run it on a gentle cycle.

Moreover, skip fabric softeners and dry it on low and slow settings to keep it looking great.

5. How Do You Clean a Ski Jacket at Home?

Skip your standard laundry detergent and consider using Grangers Performance Wash or a similar technical cleaner.

It’s good for your ski jacket because it is specially designed for synthetic shells and insulated ski gear. In fact, it is a specialized cleaner that is designed to maintain the gear’s performance and longevity.

6. Should I Air-Dry My Ski Jacket?

If the care label of your jacket allows for that then do it. Otherwise, try to use a low-heat tumble dryer.

If you don’t have one, air dry your clothes, then gently iron them at a delicate fabric setting, using a towel as a buffer between the garment and the iron.

Winter Gear Care Q&A

Now that we have discussed how to wash a ski jacket, let’s clear up some additional important questions that you might have regarding winter gear care…

Question: My ski jacket says “hand wash”, can I still clean and waterproof it with Nikwax products?
Answer: Yes. Nikwax works with all types of washing, including hand washing.

Question: Do I need to dry my ski jacket in order to activate the water repellent properties?
Answer: No. You can tumble dry your jacket if allowed in the care label, but this is not required in order to ensure water repellency.

Question: I noticed my ski jacket does not seem to be repelling water like it used to, can I re-waterpoof it?
Answer: Yes, but you should clean it first. Think of it this way, you would never wax a dirty car. After cleaning your jacket, waterproof your ski jacket while it is still wet.

Question: My ski jacket has a down and synthetic blend filling. What products should I use?
Answer: We always clean and waterproof to the level of the most delicate component. In this case it is the down portion of your jacket. Therefore we will use Nikwax Down Wash Direct to clean and Nikwax Down Proof to waterproof.

Happy Skiing

Now that you have a fresh, warm and dry ski jacket, it’s time to hit the slopes for a great ski season. Have any additional questions regarding winter apparel care? Drop them in the comments.

You May Also Enjoy These Posts:

• 13 Things to do in Salt Lake City in the Winter
• Snow Tubing in Park City
• Utah Ski Resorts
• Hiking in the Winter
• Best Ski Destinations in the US

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