Specific washing instructions per garment are listed on the tags that come affixed to our products. Always follow the care label instructions for your specific garment. In general, in order to best care for your garment and your environment, wash sparingly—that is to say, only when absolutely necessary—at a cool or cold temperature. With regards to your washing machine, reducing the rotation speed and wash-cycle length will cut down on energy use and reduce stress on the fibers in the garments. If possible, hand wash and spot clean dirty areas with warm water, eco detergent and a sponge. It is always recommended that you hang dry your clothing. You may consider turning your garments inside out on the dry line to reduce fading effects of the sun.

It is recommended that you use an eco detergent that is suited to the garment you are washing. We always advise against the use of fabric softeners as they have a negative impact on the environment and also the garments’ performance; fabric softeners will deposit a waxy coating on the surface of your garments’ fabric, affecting wicking properties. A mild, non-toxic, biodegradable powdered laundry soap is generally a safe bet. Do not use bleach.

A washing bag will protect your garments from being damaged or stretched out in the washing machine. We recommend using a washing bag for garments that utilize natural materials, Merino wool and organic cotton; use of the washing bag will minimize wear and tear from washing. For synthetic materials, we recommend using a GuppyFriend washing bag to reduce microplastic pollution associated with washing.

Machine washing leads to wear and tear, period. If you must machine wash, wash similar products together; wash with similar colors and do not mix hard surfaces with soft surfaces, as this will increase wear and tear. Always close zippers, snap buttons and Velcros, and loosen fasteners before washing, as this will minimize the risk of fabrics snagging sharp objects during the wash cycle.

Due to the use of recycled polyester fiber insulation, we do not recommend ironing our insulated garments. If you must iron a garment, always use a cloth between the iron and your garment as a protective layer.

Merino wool

Merino wool is a natural material that is odor and dirt resistant; it does not need to be washed frequently. Do not tumble dry Merino wool garments. When washing Merino wool, use a detergent with neutral pH and no enzymes. Preferably, hand wash your Merino wool garment by soaking it in warm water using an eco-friendly soap, then rinse, shape and air dry the garment.

Durable water repellent finish (DWR)

DWR coatings are applied to make the garments more resistant to water. The DWR finish keeps the outer fabric from becoming saturated with water, inhibiting breathability of the garment. Water repellency treatments wear off after extensive use or over time. “Re-proofing” with a wash-in product (best for 3L garments) or a spray (best for 2L garments) increases the water repellency lifespan of your garments. A sign that your DWR may be wearing off is that rain ceases to bead on the outer fabric of your garment and that the garment appears wet. Keep in mind, the garment’s membrane will continue to keep water from passing through the garment; it is breathability that is affected more than anything else. To extend the life of your garments, however, we highly recommend you re-proof the garment each and every season.