How to wash hunting clothes – how to care for your hunting gear

Why proper care of hunting clothes matters

Hunting clothes aren't ordinary clothes. Membranes, water-repellent finishes, and technical fabrics require different care than a regular cotton shirt. Treat them incorrectly and you risk damaging the very features you paid for.

One of the most common mistakes is washing hunting clothes with regular detergent and fabric softener. Fabric softener can clog the pores of membrane fabrics and reduce breathability. Regular detergents may leave residues that affect the water-repellent DWR finish. High temperatures can also damage membranes and alter the fit of the garment.

Another common mistake is not washing your hunting clothes at all. Sweat, dirt, and body oils gradually affect the materials from within and can reduce their performance and insulating properties. Properly cared-for hunting clothes simply last longer and perform better.

How to wash hunting clothes step by step

Always start by reading the care label inside the garment. The instructions are specific to that particular material and should always take priority over general recommendations. Once you've checked the label, you can use the following as a general guide:

Choose the right detergent. Use a detergent specifically designed for technical fabrics or hunting clothes. Avoid regular detergent and never use fabric softener. Fragrance-free products are preferable, both to protect the fabric and to avoid leaving strong scents that could alert game.

Use the right temperature. Most hunting clothes can be washed at 30–40°C (86–104°F). Higher temperatures may damage membranes and water-repellent finishes. Always check the care label, as materials such as cotton and wool may have different recommendations.

A washing machine works well for most hunting clothes, but choose a gentle cycle with a low spin speed. Garments with membranes or waterproof finishes may benefit from an additional rinse cycle to make sure all detergent residue is removed.

Close all zippers and hook-and-loop fasteners before washing. This helps reduce wear on both the garment and your washing machine.

Common washing mistakes

• Fabric softener – can reduce membrane breathability and affect the DWR finish
  
• Temperatures that are too high – can damage membranes and shrink or deform the garment
  
• The wrong detergent – regular detergents containing optical brighteners and fragrances aren't designed for technical fabrics
  
• Too much detergent – residue that isn't properly rinsed away can affect the material's performance

When should you wash hunting clothes?

Hunting clothes don't need to be washed after every use. Washing them unnecessarily often can cause additional wear.

Wash your garments when they're visibly dirty, smell of sweat, or have blood or other stains on them. Another sign may be that the water-repellent finish is no longer performing as it should – although this can also mean it's time to reproof the garment rather than wash it.

When and how should you reproof hunting clothes?

Reproofing restores the garment's water-repellent DWR finish, which gradually wears down through use and washing. Usually, it's not the waterproof membrane itself that has stopped working. Instead, it's the outer treatment that helps water bead up and roll off the fabric.

Always wash the garment before reproofing it. Oils, dirt, and detergent residue can prevent the treatment from bonding properly with the fibers. A clean surface provides better and longer-lasting results.

There are two main types of waterproofing treatment:

Spray-on waterproofing is applied to the garment after washing and drying. It's easy to use and particularly useful when you want to treat specific areas, such as the shoulders and sleeves. Spray evenly from the recommended distance and allow the garment to dry.

Wash-in waterproofing is added directly to the washing machine and treats the entire garment. It often provides even coverage and is a convenient option when the whole garment needs reproofing. Pinewood's range of detergents and waterproofing products includes options for both methods.

Activate the treatment with heat – if the garment's care instructions allow it, tumble dry it on low heat for 20–30 minutes after reproofing, or carefully use an iron on a low setting. Heat can help reactivate certain DWR treatments and restore their water-repellent performance.

How do you know when it's time to reproof?

The clearest sign is when water stops beading up and rolling off the outer fabric and instead begins to soak in, making the material appear darker.

This doesn't necessarily mean water is penetrating the garment – the membrane may still be waterproof. However, a saturated outer fabric becomes heavier and can reduce breathability, so restoring the water-repellent finish is still worthwhile.

How to store hunting clothes between seasons

Storage is the final part of proper garment care, and it's a step that's easy to overlook. Clothes that are put away without preparation can develop mold, unpleasant odors, or lose their shape.

Wash your clothes before storing them. Blood, sweat, and dirt left on the fabric can gradually damage the material and may attract pests. Proper washing and, when needed, reproofing before storage can help extend the life of your hunting clothes.

Make sure garments are completely dry before putting them away. Moisture trapped in the fabric is one of the most common causes of mold and unpleasant odors. Hang garments in a well-ventilated area and make sure thicker sections and seams are completely dry.

Store them somewhere dark and dry. UV exposure gradually breaks down synthetic fibers, while moisture in the storage area can damage clothing. A closet or storage container in a dry location is generally better than a cold shed or damp basement.

Avoid tightly compressing garments for long periods. Insulated jackets and pants with synthetic fill maintain their loft and insulating performance better when stored loosely or hung up.

Care instructions for different materials

Different materials require slightly different care. 

Cotton and TC fabric

Cotton and TC fabric (a cotton/polyester blend) are relatively durable when it comes to washing. Wash at 40°C (104°F) using a mild, fragrance-free detergent. Avoid fabric softener.

TC fabrics with a water-repellent treatment should be reproofed regularly to maintain their ability to repel moisture.

Fleece

Wash fleece at a low temperature, usually 30–40°C (86–104°F), preferably using a gentle cycle. Avoid fabric softener and high spin speeds.

Fleece can be air-dried or tumble-dried on low heat if permitted by the care label. Never iron fleece, as high temperatures can damage or melt the synthetic fibers.

Polyester and membrane fabrics

Polyester and membrane fabrics, such as GORE-TEX and similar materials, require suitable detergent and low washing temperatures. Close all zippers, choose a gentle cycle, and consider running an additional rinse cycle.

If permitted by the garment's care label, tumble drying on low heat after washing can help reactivate the water-repellent finish.

Wool and merino wool

Wash wool at a low temperature, typically 30°C (86°F), or use your washing machine's wool or hand-wash cycle. Avoid aggressive spinning.

Lay the garment flat to dry to help it retain its shape. Wool is naturally odor resistant and generally doesn't need to be washed as frequently as synthetic fabrics.

FAQ – common questions about caring for hunting clothes

Can you wash hunting clothes with regular clothes?

It's generally better not to. Everyday clothes are often washed with detergents and fabric softeners that aren't suitable for technical hunting garments.

Wash your hunting clothes separately using an appropriate detergent to help preserve their performance.

How do you remove odors from hunting clothes?

Wash them with a fragrance-free detergent and allow them to air thoroughly after washing. Avoid storing hunting clothes in confined spaces with poor ventilation.

Some hunters also choose to store their clothing in well-ventilated storage bags or other suitable spaces to minimize human scent before hunting.

How long does a waterproofing treatment last?

It depends on how frequently the garment is used and the conditions it's exposed to. A treatment may last an entire season under normal use but may need to be renewed more frequently if you regularly hunt in heavy rain.

A simple water test can help: if water still beads up and rolls off the surface, the water-repellent treatment is still doing its job.

Can you use regular detergent on hunting clothes?

It's best to avoid it if you want to preserve the garment's technical performance. Regular detergents containing fragrances, optical brighteners, or fabric-softening ingredients aren't designed for technical materials and may negatively affect membranes and DWR finishes.

Use a detergent specifically designed for technical fabrics or hunting clothes and always follow the garment's care instructions.