Washing Kids Snow Gear

Posted by Bianca Chang on Thursday, May 8, 2025

Let’s face it—getting messy is basically part of the job description when you’re a kid. But keeping their snow jacket and pants clean isn’t just about looks—it actually helps the gear perform better, keeping your little ones dry, warm, and happy during all their winter adventures.

The good news? You can wash their ski and snowboard gear at home using your regular washer and dryer. Just make sure to use a tech wash—it’s specially made for waterproof fabrics. Regular laundry detergent and fabric softener can leave behind a residue that messes with the gear’s waterproofing and breathability.

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to washing, drying, and taking care of your kids’ winter gear—so it can keep up with all their snow fun.

Before washing anything, always check with the manufacturer for specific care instructions.

Prep your Gear

If you’ve ever reached into your kid’s pockets, you’ve probably found snacks, rocks, or some mystery treasures they picked up along the way.

Before washing their gear, make sure to empty out all pockets, zip up every zipper (even the main one), close up any pocket flaps, fasten all velcro, and remove any fur trim. And check the labels for any special care instructions.

Pre-treat Stains

Start by tackling any stains with a damp cloth. If you’re finding some really stubborn stains, try spot-treating them with some tech wash before tossing them in the machine. Do not use your normal stain remover since it can mess with the waterproof coating.

Use a Tech Wash

Check your tech wash for specific instructions on how much detergent to use, how many garments to include for each wash cycle, and what settings to use. In general, you can wash two or three pieces together as long as their care label says they need similar treatment.

One handy tip: try not to mix super dirty gear with cleaner stuff—it just makes the whole process less effective.

Set your Machine

Always check the care labels first—just to be safe. Most of the time, cold water and a gentle cycle with low spin will do the trick.

If you don’t have access to a washing machine, you can hand wash your kids' outerwear using lukewarm water and tech wash.

Tumble Dry

After you’ve washed your kiddos' outerwear, put them in the dryer on low heat for about 20 minutes. The low heat will help reactivate the DWR waterproof coating. If using a dryer isn’t an option, you can hang dry.

Bonus Step 6: Reapply DWR

Even after washing your kids’ clothing, you might notice it’s just not as waterproof as it used to be. To check, run a bit of the sleeve or pant leg under the sink. If the water beads up and rolls off, the waterproofing is still working. If the fabric starts soaking in the water (aka “wetting out”), it’s time to reapply the DWR (durable water repellent) coating.

Note: Reapplying DWR should only be done to clean clothes.

Once you’ve reapplied the DWR, toss the gear in the dryer on low heat for a few minutes to help activate the DWR and boost its effectiveness.

How Often Should I Wash My Kids’ Snow Gear?

How often you wash your kids' ski and snowboard clothes depends on how often they use them, how sweaty they get, and how dirty it is. Over time, sweat, oil, and dirt will accumulate, compromising the waterproofing. You’ll know when it’s time to clean their gear when it looks dirty and the waterproofing isn’t working as well. Between washes, it’s a good idea to spot-clean any stains or dirt you notice.

As a general rule, give their snow gear a wash at the end of each season before storing it away for the summer. That way, it’ll be fresh and ready to go when winter comes back around.

Categories: Skiing & Snowboarding

Tagged: Washing Outerwear, waterproof