Whether you’re out on the hill, trekking through wet fields, or just enjoying the outdoors, your outdoor clothing works hard. With the right care, you can keep your clothing performing better for longer, save money, and reduce waste. Below is a full, up-to-date care guide based on Pinewood's own recommendations.
Why Proper Care Matters
Outdoor clothes aren’t just about comfort, they’re designed to protect you from wind, rain, and cold. Everyday washing and wear can reduce water repellency, breathability, and durability if garments aren’t cared for properly. Following the right care routine helps preserve performance qualities and extends the life of every piece.
Laundry Basics - Follow the Labels
Start with the care label on the garment. Those small symbols are there to help protect fabrics and prevent loss of their water-repellent finish or breathability. Always follow them when washing and drying.
Some general tips:
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Sort laundry by material and colour - heavy outdoor fabrics should be washed separately from lighter garments.
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Don’t overdose detergent - too much detergent can leave residues, clog pores, and reduce performance.
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Don’t overload the machine - garments need room to clean effectively.
- Clean your washing machine regularly - this helps keep your gear cleaner and fresher.
Choose the Right Wash Products
Generic detergents can strip away the technical finishes on outdoor clothing. Use care products designed for performance garments:
- Mild detergents designed for technical clothing clean effectively without harming water repellency.
- Technical wash-in water proofers protect and boost water repellency while maintaining breathability.
Using the right products helps your clothing stay cleaner for longer and perform as intended.
Re-proofing & Water Repellency
Over time, even waterproof clothing can start to soak rather than repel water. To restore performance:
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Machine Wash-In Waterproofing: Adds water repellency deep into the fibres for an even finish and long-lasting protection.
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Spray-On Waterproofing: Ideal for spot treatment or items that can’t be machine-treated. Boosts protection in high-wear areas.
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Wax Treatments: Certain fabrics benefit from a wax treatment to repel water and dirt, especially traditional outdoor materials.
Sustainable Care Tips
Proper care isn’t just good for performance - it’s sustainable too:
- Running consecutive wash cycles when needed uses energy more efficiently than occasional single washes.
- Using the right products reduces waste and microfibre pollution.
- Extending the life of your clothing means fewer replacements and a smaller environmental footprint.
Great outdoor gear deserves great care. With the right washing techniques and maintenance products, you can keep your Pinewood garments looking and performing their best season after season. Regular care protects water repellency, preserves breathability, and improves durability, giving you more value out of every piece.
NOTE: These tips are general advice only - every item is a bit different. ArdMoor can’t take responsibility for any mishaps, so always patch-test products first and follow Pinewood's own care guidance where you can.