Washing Guide for Ski & Snowboarding Gear

Skiing and snowboarding are probably two of the most popular winter sports. This isn’t surprising, though—there’s just that thrill of being able to slide down a snowy mountain!

As it turns out, these sports are not only fun, but they come with plenty of benefits as well. For one thing, a trip to the mountain can help boost your mood and reduce anxiety. Not just that, but it will increase your strength, flexibility, and coordination—you have to manuever around the hills and whatnot, after all!

This might be obvious, but skiing and snowboarding will also burn a considerable amount of calories. In other words, it’s a great way to lose weight while having fun!

As you can imagine, though, your gear can get quite dirty after a long day at the mountains—especially if you’ve fallen onto the ground (perhaps multiple times)! You might not notice it due to the cold and the fact that you’re outdoors, but your clothes will start to smell. Don’t like the idea of that? Then be sure to wash your ski and snowboarding gear!

Why You Should Keep Your Ski and Snowboarding Gear Clean:

• Minimize the amount of odor-causing bacteria that will grow on your clothes
• Limits the spread of bacteria, which can cause infections
• Cleaner gear will allow for better performance
• Prevents icky odors from developing
• You’ll be ready for your next trip to the mountains

But wait, what’s the best way to wash these kinds of gear? Obviously, you wouldn’t want to just toss them into the washer with the rest of your clothes—they’re made differently after all. For one thing, they’re made from thick materials that are meant to keep you warm in the cold!

Not sure how to wash your skiing and snowboarding clothes? Don’t worry, we’ll be going over how to wash certain items below. Have some cleaning tips that you want to share? Feel free to share them with us in the comments below!

How to Wash Your Ski/Snowboarding Jacket

Skiing and snowboarding jackets are not cheap. Nine times out of ten, they’re made from premium materials that are meant to keep you warm. Considering that, it only makes sense that you’d want to take proper care of them. They can take quite a beating out there in the mountains!

Here’s how you can wash them.

Putting Your Ski/Snowboarding Jacket in the Washing Machine

Before you put your jacket in the washing machine, zip up the zippers and close the flaps—this will prevent the various parts from being damaged in the wash. It’s also a good idea to check that there’s nothing in the pockets.

Note: It’s generally not recommended that you wash your jackets with other garments as they can damage more delicate items. While you can wash jackets with other jackets, you shouldn’t wash more than two at once—otherwise, the machine can become overloaded.

Add one scoop of ACTIVE detergent into the soap compartment. Put your jackets into the washing machine and select a delicate cycle. Wash everything with cold water; hot water can damage the fabrics. When in doubt, check the care instructions label on the inside of your jacket—that will let you know how to wash it.

Do not use bleach. Fabric softeners should also be avoided as it can ruin the moisture-wicking finish of the outer layer.

Remove your ski/snowboarding jacket from the washer once it’s been washed. Leave it on a clothesline to air dry. In some cases, you might be able to put them in the dryer on low heat. Never put your jacket by a heat source as that can ruin the waterproof coating.

Washing Your Ski/Snowboarding Jacket by Hand

Want to wash it without using the washing machine? No problem—just do it by hand! The process is not nearly as tedious as you think.

Start by filling the tub with cold water (you can also use a sink as long as your jacket fits). Pour in a scoop of ACTIVE detergent into the water and mix with your hand—you should get a soapy solution. Put your jacket in the tub once you’ve double checked that there is nothing in the pockets. Press down lightly to submerge all of the fabric in the detergent water. Let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes.

Given how heavy it is, it will be difficult to clean the entire thing with your hands—instead, just swirl it in the tub a few times. When you’re done, rinse it under running water to get rid of all of the detergent. This is important—any leftover residue can cause skin irritation! If necessary, you can drain the dirty water from the tub and refill it with clean water—this can help to remove the soap suds.

Gently squeeze out the excess water once it’s clean. Avoid twisting or wringing the jacket as that can damage the fabric layers. Allow it to air dry on a clothesline. In some cases, you might be able to put it in the dryer on low heat.

Removing Stains From Your Ski/Snowboarding Jacket

Pour a small amount of ACTIVE detergent into a small bowl. Add a little bit of warm water and mix to create a mixture. Dampen an old toothbrush (or other soft-bristled brush) with the solution and dab it onto the stained area. Gently rub it in and let it saturate the spot. Leave it for 30 minutes.

Rinse off the mixture and check the stain. Repeat the above steps if it is still visible. If it’s gone, you can wash the jacket as normal either by putting it in the washer or by hand.

Washing Instructions for Snow Pants

Chances are, your snow pants would have come into contact with sweat up in the mountains. Make sure to wash them regularly otherwise they can smell!

As always, you want to take a look at the care instructions label before you begin.

Are Snow Pants Machine Washable?

Yes, they are.

Start by making sure that nothing is left in the pockets. Remove any lift tickets or passes as they can accumulate on the fabric. Close all of the fasteners—this includes zippers, velcro, flaps, and snaps. Why? This will prevent potential tearing or snagging. Untie any elastic drawcords.

Pro-tip: Wash your snow pants separate from other clothes; doing so can damage its water-resistant properties. You can wash the pants together with other pants, but be careful not to overload the washer.

Pour in a scoop of ACTIVE detergent into the machine and load your snow pants in. Wash with cold water on a delicate cycle. Avoid hot water for the same reasons mentioned earlier. Avoid bleach—the chemical can strip the waterproof coating. Do not use fabric softeners either.

Take your snow pants out once the washing is complete. Allow them to air dry on a clothesline. Depending on the material that it’s made out of, you might be able to get away with putting it in the dryer on low heat.

Washing Your Snow Pants by Hand

As with the jackets, you can wash your snow pants by hand!

Fill a tub or sink with cold water. Mix in a scoop of ACTIVE detergent until you see soap bubbles. Carefully place your snow pants in the mixture. Swish them around so that all of the fabric is submerged and wet. Let it sit for at least 20 to 30 minutes.

Swirl them a few times before removing the detergent—you can do so by putting it under running water. You can also refill the sink with plain water. Given how thick snow pants are, you’ll probably have to do this a few times to get rid of all of the soap suds.

Transfer them to a clean surface when you’re finished washing. Remove some of the excess water with a towel before letting the snow pants air dry. Do not put them under sunlight; the heat can damage the waterproof finish.

Note:  You can wash underlayers and socks in a similar fashion.

How to Clean Ski/Snowboarding Hats and Gloves

Hats and gloves can be washed by hand or tossed in the machine.

Washing Hats and Gloves in the Machine

Before you throw them in the washer, it’s important that you double check the care instruction label first—some materials might not be machine washable.

Having said that, most will do fine in the washer. In fact, you can wash them with your other clothes—just maybe not your jackets. Remember, it never hurts to put them in a mesh laundry bag; that way, they’ll be kept together during the cycle.

As always, you want to add a scoop of ACTIVE detergent and wash on a delicate cycle. Do not use bleach or fabric softeners. Take your hats and gloves out once the cycle is complete and hang them up to dry. Avoid putting them in the dryer as the heat can cause them to shrink.

Hand Washing Your Hats and Gloves

It’s easy to wash your ski/snowboarding hats and gloves by hand. Fill a small container or the sink with cold water and mix in a scoop of ACTIVE detergent. Press the items into the mixture—make sure that all of the material is submerged. Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes.

Swirl the items a few times before picking them up. Gently squeeze out the excess water; do not wring them like a towel as that can damage the fabric. Hang them up to dry.

Best Way to Deodorize & Clean Ski/Snowboarding Boots

Boots aren’t cheap—keeping them clean will allow them to last a long time.

Using ACTIVE detergent and Vinegar

The first step is to remove the liners from your boots. Allow them to dry—you do not want them to be wet as that will harbor bacteria.

Once you’ve done that, fill a sink with warm water. Add a small amount of ACTIVE detergent as well as one cup of white vinegar, the latter will help to get rid of odors. Soak the liners in the mixture for at least 30 minutes; that will give the detergent time to dissolve the sweat and dirt.

Meanwhile, use a damp sponge to clean the outside of your boots. Wipe them dry afterward. Check on your liners—put them under running water to get rid of the detergent; continue until the water turns clear. Place them on a towel and allow them to air dry.