How to Clean a Ski Jacket: Ultimate Guide

Keeping your ski gear clean is essential to keeping it in good working condition, so you get the most out of your winter sports spending.

Ski jackets, for instance, are specifically designed to carry weather-proofing material in all of their fabrics, which can also keep them clean. 

However, keeping them clean is essential for maintaining their waterproof features - which is one of the important qualities of a ski jacket or ski clothes in general.

Keeping your ski gear clean is essential to keep it in good working condition, so you get the most out of your winter sports spending.

Cleaning a Ski Jacket - Washing Machine

Most people probably only ski a few times a year and forget about their ski wear until they decide to get them out for next ski season. If you're one of these people, then you'll be eager to get your skiing wear washed and dried to get it ready for next winter. 

 

Unfortunately, it can be frustrating and time-consuming to get your ski jacket dry cleaned, and you may end up with a lot of imperfections and damage. The best thing to do is to wash it at home in the washing machine.  Remember to machine wash cold with powdered laundry detergent. 

To avoid damaging the ski jacket or ski pants, you should not use fabric softener, liquid chlorine bleach, fabric softener sheets, or liquid fabric softener in the washing machine.

Cleaning a Ski Jacket - Washing by Hand

Cleaning your ski jacket and ski gear is vital to maintaining good health. A ski jacket is at risk of being covered in dirt and bacteria, lice, and other forms of parasites. This can lead to infection. 

When dealing with a ski jacket, it is important to consider the type of material that the ski jacket is made of. Ski gear may be made of wool, which is prone to shrinkage if not dried properly, or it may be made of leather, which should never be machine-washed.

One of the best ways to clean your clothes in the winter is by hand. Use a sink or bathtub with plenty of water and appropriate detergent.

Cleaning a Ski Jacket - Drying

There are several ways you can dry out wet ski wear, such as using a hand dryer, a salad spinner, or a towel. First, you need to check the tag. If the label says not to use high heat, do not tumble dry it in a dryer. 

However, if the tag on your ski gear says "dry clean only," you need to take it into a professional and let them do whatever they require. If the tag does not say anything about heat, turn on the hand dryer and put your coat inside. The heat from the hand dryer should dry out the jacket in 10 minutes. You can also tumble dry it on cool. 

What Is the Recommended Cleaning and Care Routine for Ski Jackets?

Many people buy ski jackets for the winter but may not think much about what care it requires or clean it. As the weather begins to warm up, it is crucial to know how to properly take care of your ski jacket to keep it looking its best for next winter so it keeps you warm in the snow.

Machine washing your ski jacket too often is a no-no, as the natural oils in the material will strip away, especially synthetic materials. 

The best way to clean your ski jacket is to spritz it with a fabric softener sheet, wipe off any dirt, and air dry.  If you do wash your ski jacket, use a mild detergent and cold water on a gentle cycle. Avoid using fabric softener as it can lead to durable water repellency issues.

Brush the outer fabric of your down jacket after each use with a heavy-duty wire brush. Clean your coat regularly. Great for removing salt and other dirt on the coat. 

Dry clean at least once a year. This is a great way to get rid of the salt and other dirt that has settled on your down jacket. 

Apply mink oil spray on the jacket areas that you cannot reach with dry cleaning or brushing. This will keep the jacket looking new and keep it from drying out.  The mink oil acts as a durable water repellent. 

Conclusion

The recommended cleaning and care routine for a ski jacket is specific to the fabric of the coat. Materials like wool, cashmere, and woolskin are typically more delicate fibers than some other wools. 

Wool is temperamental, so it is wise to consult the jacket's care instructions before attempting any wool cleaning. 

The recommended cleaning and care routines for most fabrics are: Wipe or brush away any dirt or dust, then remove any stains with water and mild soap.

Frequent Questions 

Can I snowboard with any jacket?

The answer is not necessarily black and white. These differences may include the types of materials used. Some ski jackets are designed for specific conditions. For example, some are waterproof and windproof, some are waterproof and breathable, and some are breathable.

You should consider what conditions you plan to use the jacket in to see if the jacket is suited for those conditions. You should look for a jacket that comes with a hood, as this will protect your head from the elements.

Can I wear a normal jacket for skiing?

The essential piece of clothing needed for skiing is a good jacket.

If you wear the right coat, you can reduce the risk of getting wet and cold and spending most of your time at the bottom of the mountain.

Are snowboarding jackets warm?

Yes, they are. The length of jackets can range anywhere between mid-thigh to below the knee. Casual jackets can be longer than a jacket you wear on the slopes. This depends on the type of snowboarding you are doing. 

Snowboarding jackets and ski pants are also made of very insulated technical fabrics like Gore-Tex or microfibers like Primaloft. These technical fabrics help keep snowboarders warm. Jackets are also lined with things like reflectors to reflect heat to the snowboarder.

How many layers should you wear for skiing?

While layering for skiing makes a lot of sense, the number of layers that a person wears varies according to several factors. This includes the weight of the clothes, the gender of the person(girls can get colder faster than guys), where the person is going skiing, and the intensity of their skiing activities. 

The more layers a person wears, the more comfortable they will be, but more layers will make a person sweat more, which will make a person colder if they do not do anything to keep active.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Aleksandra Djurdjevic          

Senior Content Creator

Aleksandra Djurdjevic is a senior writer and editor, covering snowboarding, skiing and trends in outdoor winter activities. She has previously worked as ESL teacher for English Tochka. Aleksandra graduated from the Comparative Literature department at the Faculty of Philosophy in Serbia. Aleksandra’s love for the mountains, getting out in the snow on her board, season after season, seeking wild snow adventures across the globe helps her continue to be a top expert at CSG.