Washing and Storing Clothing and Boots After a Trip
Do not just hang it on the balcony. Read the care label, choose hand or machine wash, and remember that every technical fabric hates heat, fabric softener and direct sun.
Sort by fabric before washing: synthetics and base layers on gentle with a technical wash, merino by hand or on the wool cycle, down with down wash and low-heat drying with dryer balls, hardshells with technical wash and a low tumble to reactivate DWR. Never use fabric softener or bleach, never wring, never dry in direct sun, and never store anything damp. Boots are cleaned by material and always air-dried away from heat.
Gear does not wear out on the mountain as fast as it wears out in the laundry. Heat, softener and sunlight do more damage in an afternoon than a season of use.
Sort before you wash
| Type | Wash | Dry | Never |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synthetic base layers | Warm water, technical wash, gentle | Shade or air | Softener, hot tumble |
| Merino and wool | Wool wash, wool cycle or hand | Flat, in shade | Wringing, tumble, sun |
| Fleece | Laundry bag, gentle | Air | Softener, heat |
| Down | Down wash, front-loader or hand | Low tumble with dryer balls, or air and break up clumps | Normal detergent, softener, storing damp |
| Hardshell | Technical wash, zips closed, washed alone | Air, or low tumble to reactivate DWR | Softener, bleach, heat |
| Softshell | Gentle, washed rarely | Air | Heat, direct sun |
| Socks, gloves, hats | Warm, gentle, turned inside out | Air | Softener, radiator |
The details that matter
- Before washing: empty pockets, close zips, fasten hook-and-loop, shake out grit, rinse heavy mud first.
- After washing: never wring. Roll in a towel and press, or use a low spin.
- DWR: if the shell stops beading, tumble on low or reapply DWR per the brand. Not after every wash.
- No direct sun: UV ages nylon and polyester, degrades DWR, embrittles wool and cracks leather.
- Bone dry before storage. Damp storage means mildew, clumped down and mouldy leather.
Boots
- Synthetic and mesh: soft brush, warm water, a little mild soap, rinse. Remove insoles and laces and wash separately. Air dry.
- Leather: brush off mud, wipe with a damp cloth, use the brand's leather cleaner and conditioner. Do not soak. Condition after drying.
- Suede and nubuck: dry brush only, with a suede eraser or cleaner. No soaking.
- Waterproof membranes (Gore-Tex and similar): follow the brand. No softener, and do not block the membrane with a waterproofing spray.
Drying boots
- Remove insoles, loosen laces, and stand them mouth-down or on their side in moving air.
- Stuff with newspaper or dry cloth to draw moisture, and replace it when wet. Do not pack tightly enough to distort the boot.
- Never on a radiator, in an oven, with a hot hairdryer, or in a hot car. Heat delaminates soles, ages membranes and cracks leather.
- Bone dry before they go into the cupboard. Never store wet boots in a bag.
Storage
- Cedar shoe trees or desiccant inside, depending on material. Do not crush them flat.
- Ventilated cupboard; dehumidify in the rainy season. Never seal damp boots in plastic.
- Clean trail shoes properly — grit left in the mesh grinds it away.