Wash and Care

Here are general product care and washing instructions for your Icewear clothing and blankets. Please always read the care label for each item thoroughly before washing your Icewear items. This is because sometimes washing instructions may vary between similar garments and products. How often to wash clothes varies, too, please read the specific instructions for each garment.

Always ensure that the washing machine detergent compartment is clean and that there is no residue of any detergent, bleach or softener.  A useful tip is to clean the detergent drawer and to run a quick warm water wash with the machine empty to clear any residues from the system.

How to care for wool garments

When washing wool, it’s important to choose the correct methods and products.  This is because washing wool too often or with the wrong products will strip wool of its natural oil, impacting the natural performance benefits of wearing wool. 

To care for wool garments, follow these instructions.

Taking care of wool jumpers

When considering whether or not to wash wool jumpers, try refreshing them first by hanging the jumpers in fresh air or in a humid room (like a bathroom after a shower). Frequently that is all that is required to freshen up the jumper, because it also minimises washing this method saves energy whilst also extending your wool garment’s life.

Here are three ways to guarantee the longest life for your wool jumpers:

• Wash less, air more: After each wear, let it air out to maintain its natural properties. Rotate your jumpers to let them rest between uses, too.

• Spot-clean any stains: You can gently remove stains with a damp cloth instead of washing the entire jumper. This also helps preserve the wool fibres.

• Store jumpers correctly: Store wool jumpers folded rather than hanging to avoid over stretching. Ensure they’re totally dry, then gently pack them in a sealed container to protect against moths and dirt.

Here’s how to wash wool sweaters when it is time:

1. Hand wash or machine wash: Always follow the care labels on each garment, even if you have multiple wool sweaters. If one is labeled for hand washing, wash it in 30°C (lukewarm) water with wool detergent, rinse gently, and squeeze-dry it to remove as much moisture as possible (warning: never wring). For machine-safe wool sweaters, use a gentle wool program at 30°C with wool detergent. Avoid overheating them or vigorous washing them.
   
   Don’t have a wool washing program or special wool detergent? Default to whatever is labeled for “delicate” garments.

2. Drying and shaping: Lay the wet jumper flat on a towel to dry so that it retains its shape. Never hang wet wool.  Don’t use a tumble dryer, both can distort and shrink a wool jumper.

3. Remove pilling: Pilling occurs due to friction against wool and should be removed with a fabric shaver or by hand. To reduce pilling overall, avoid overloading your washing machine and handle all wool jumpers with care.

Washing merino wool

Always check the label before washing your Merino wool garment.  Generally, like all 100% wool products Merino requires less washing than similar garments made with other fibres.  Merino wool is especially good at repelling stains.  Frequently gentle spot washing is all that is required. If you do decide to wash your Merino wool, then make sure you use a mild detergent especially designed for wool items.  Follow the steps above along with the garment instructions.

Washing wool blankets

Wool blankets in common with wool clothing are naturally dirt and odour resistant.  An occasional airing is frequently all that is required to keep them in good condition.  Indeed, if you’ve used a wool blanket outdoors and it’s got some mud on it, then wait for it to dry and carefully brush off.

It is recommended to hang wool blankets outdoors in fresh air for a few hours.  Should you consider a full wash necessary, check the label for instructions and consider dry cleaning as an option. 

How to care for cotton and fleece Icewear items

Cotton and fleece clothing and accessories by Icewear are your "wash and go" options. Just follow the instructions below.

Washing cotton / fleece

Wash with similar colors at 30°C / 85°F with the garment inside out. Hang to air dry.

How to care for rainwear and more

Rain gear is another class of outdoor and weather-ready clothing that rarely needs to be washed. In fact, if you wash it too often, it will need to be retreated to retain its DWR qualities.

For the most part, you can just brush your shell and rainwear off of any debris and head off to your next adventure.

Washing softshell / hardshell

Close all zippers, patches and flaps. Machine wash at low or moderate temperature (max 85°F / 30°C) on a gentle cycle. Use a liquid detergent designed for technical apparel (since the wrong detergent can ruin the water-repellent surface of the garment). Do not use washing powder, fabric softener, water softener or bleach. The more you wash the garments, the more it will affect their water-repellant performance. Do not dry on a radiator or hang too close to a fire.

Washing rain coats and pants

Before washing your rainwear, close all zippers. Machine wash at low or moderate temperature (max 85°F / 30°C) on a gentle cycle. Use a mild detergent. Hang to dry and do not tumble dry or iron. Cleaning the garment with a wet cloth can often substitute machine wash.

Renewing the DWR (Durable Water Repellence)

When a DWR treated garment has good DWR you will see how the water beads and falls off the jacket or coat. Sometimes DWR needs replacing to maximise the waterproof properties and life of your garment.  If you need to reproof it using a quality product such as from Nikwax or a similar product. Check the instructions but using a dryer at a low temperature after the wash cycle can help to restore the ability to bead water.

Care instructions for winter coats and other insulated apparel

Washing light down jackets

Before washing your light down jacket make sure all zippers, patches and flaps are closed and turn product inside out. Use detergent specifically designed for down or technical outerwear to avoid damaging the water-resistant properties. Tumble drying at low temperature with dryer balls is the best way to fluff the down back into shape. You might need to restart your dryer a few times before the down is completely lump-free, dry and fluffy, but only use low heat.

Washing polyester-filled parkas and jackets

Please read each care label before washing since some parkas need to be dry cleaned and others can be washed in a machine. If the parka can be machine washed, only use detergents that are specifically designed for technical apparel from reputable brands, such as Storm or Grangers. Make sure all zippers, patches and flaps are closed, and remove hood trims if possible. Check each garment’s care label for water temperature, and wash on a gentle cycle. Hang the garment to dry.

Washing wool insulated and wool blend filled products

When you acquire a wool-filled or wool-blend-insulated winter coat or other apparel, you get all the natural performance benefits of wool, benefitting from the antibacterial, water-repellent and thermoregulation qualities.

Just like other wool products, it is necessary to care for these garments properly so that the  natural performance benefits continue to support your comfort. 

To care for Icelandic wool blend products, treat them like wool jumpers: rarely wash them, air them and spot treat instead.  Only actually fully wash when you consider it necessary.  If you need to wash these items use only mild wool safe soap and cool water. Always lay them flat to dry so that they retain their shape.

If you are unsure about washing these items, consider an experienced dry cleaner who includes wool insulated items in their cleaning menu.