Snowboarding doesn’t get your clothes dirty like soccer does, but even the most experienced snowboarders take a tumble or two every now and then. And it’s only natural to get your pants dirty when you fall. While you may not need to wash your snowboard pants every time you fall, it’s good to give them a good wash after a bad spill, and once in a while otherwise, too, because when well taken care of, your snow pants will last you for a long time.
Washing snow pants is unlike washing your regular pants (or any fabric per se). They are made of special nylon fabric and treated with special polymers on the inside. This makes them water-resistant and breathable and keeps you dry and warm. Since your snow pants are not like other clothes, they can’t be washed the same way.
If you have snow pants, it’s only wise to learn the right way to wash them. We’re here to help you with just that. Read on for a quick and detailed step-by-step guide to washing your snowboard pants.
What You’ll Need
Before you get down to washing your snow pants to get all that dirt and grime out, make sure you have all the supplies. Here are the things you need to wash your snow pants:
- Washing machine
- Gentle detergent
- Stain remover (only if needed)
- Soft-bristled brush (if required)
- Waterproofing solution
How to Wash Your Snow Pants? A Step-by-Step Guide
Gathered all the supplies? Here’s how to go about washing your snow pants:
Step 1 – Check the Tag
This step is often neglected, but checking the tag can help make the whole washing process simpler and easier for you. Clothing tags usually have instructions on how to wash a garment, including the best cleaning method, type of detergent to be used, water temperature, and how to dry the piece of garment. In other words, the information on the tag can take the guesswork out of the washing process. So, make sure you don’t skip this step when washing your snowboard pants.
Step 2 – Prepare the Pants
Before you throw your snow pants into the washing machine, empty their pockets.
It’s common for people to leave tissues, pieces of paper, chewing gums, and lip balms in their snow pants’ pockets. Washing with any of these inside the pockets can double the work and make cleaning pants a hassle. So, save yourself from the trouble and always check the pockets of your clothes before washing and make sure they are empty. It’s also important to remove any tags and close all the zips and any Velcro fasteners that there may be. If your pants have snap buttons, make sure to close them as well.
This step isn’t specific to washing snow pants; it’s vital to washing clothes in general.
Step 3 – Check for Stains and Pre-Treat If There Are Any
Things can get a little messy in the mountains, and your snow pants can get stained as a result. There may be food stains from all the quick snacks you had while on the chair lift going from the base to the summit or grease stains from those very chair lifts. These are stubborn stains and may not be removed by just washing with a detergent. Therefore, it’s important to pre-treat them.
So, check your snow pants for any stains, and if there are any, use a stain remover and soft-bristled brush to remove them. Don’t worry about scrubbing; snow pants can handle a bit of it.
When treating stains, it’s important to leave the stain remover for a while (10 to 15 minutes or as written on the packaging) before scrubbing off the stains.
Step 4 – Put the Pants in the Machine
Set the water temperature as per the instructions given on the tag. If your pants no longer have a tag or it doesn’t say anything about water temperature or machine washing, turn the water temperature to cold and cycle setting to gentle.
You should either wash snow pants separately or with similar fabrics; don’t wash them with other types of clothes and fabrics.
Step 5 – Give Them a Rinse with Waterproofing Solution
Once your pants are washed and cleaned, give them one last rinse with a waterproofing solution. Use a solution that’s meant to be used in-wash for snow gear and run a second cycle of the washing machine with it. Use cold water and refrain from adding any other clothes to the machine.
Step 6 – Let the Pants Dry Naturally
When it comes to washing snowboard pants, one of the most widely asked questions is if you can use the dryer to dry them out. You can’t. The heat from the dryer can damage your snow pants. Your best bet is to let your synthetic fabric snow pants dry naturally. Hang your pants on a cloth hanger and let them air-dry in a place away from direct sunlight.
It’s also important to note that you should not wring snow pants. If they have extra water, press them gently to remove as much water as possible and then simply hang them to air-dry.
The Wrap Up
Snowboard pants do not need to be washed as often as regular clothes. However, cleaning them at least twice a season can help maintain/enhance their performance and extend their lifespan. Dirt and grimes can build up in your snowboard pants over time and clog the tiny pores that give the fabric breathability and waterproofing properties. So, make sure you clean your snow pants as and when needed using the method given above to keep them functioning well for a long time.
Image Credits
Photo by Mattias Olsson on Unsplash
