Clothes and shoes need care and maintenance. Especially with products that are in active use, it is important that they are treated according to the care instructions. This way, the product will retain its functionality and appearance for longer. Extending the life of a product is an easy and cheap act of responsibility.

How do I care for and wash my clothes properly?

Ventilate first

Often, simply airing the product is enough. This is especially true for outdoor clothing and shoes.

Stain removal

You can always try to remove stains before washing the whole product. Heavy stains should be removed before machine washing. Always check with stain removers the suitability for the fabric in the product care instructions and by trying the remover on an inconspicuous area. Many stain removers may contain bleaching agents and are not suitable for dyed products. Traditional bile soap is a great cleaner for grease-based stains.

Wash correctly

Proper washing of the product should be done as indicated in the care instructions. In the care instructions you will find the temperature and method of washing the product. Similar products should always be washed together, trying to combine colors where possible. Washing is always recommended when the product is clearly dirty, but unnecessary extra washing should be avoided to prevent wear and tear. Sportswear should always be washed after sweaty use, but jeans, for example, may only need to be aired in a cool place from time to time and washed a few times a year.

When choosing a detergent, the most important thing to consider is its suitability for the product. Liquid detergents do not usually contain bleaching agents, unlike powder detergents for white laundry. Therefore, for white laundry, a powder detergent is recommended if you want the detergent to bleach the laundry as well. Liquid detergents dissolve more quickly and are therefore more suitable for small machines for quick washing and for hand washing.

The use of detergents, especially for technical garments, should be avoided as they may affect the durability of elastane, for example. Instead, laundry vinegar should be preferred to fabric softener for neutralizing odors. Traditional spirit vinegar is also suitable, although silk or viscose, for example, may not be resistant to it. In this case, the laundry may smell vinegary when wet, but the smell will dissipate as the product dries. Alcohol vinegar should be avoided, however, if a self-dispensing washing machine is used.

Activewear

Sports and active clothing should be washed more often than other types of clothing to prevent dirt and odors from sticking to the fabric. However, the washing temperature can be set lower than the instructions in the care instructions to save energy and the garment if the product is cleaned at a lower temperature. For sweaty and odorous textiles, rinsing in vinegar water, using a vinegar-based fabric softener and a detergent for sportswear work well.

Outdoor jackets and trousers

Outdoor jackets and trousers should be washed about once a year if there is no other obvious soiling. Washing should be carried out, for example, just before the product is transferred to summer or winter storage. When washing, always close zips, fasteners and other parts that may be damaged during washing. Carry out the washing according to the instructions. After washing down products, it is important to dry the product flat and to lather it several times during drying to prevent the down from caking. A tumble dryer can also be used for down, but it is a good idea to slip in a few clean tennis balls, for example, to fluff the down into a puff.

And how do I maintain my shoes for a long life?

It is not recommended to wash your shoes in a washing machine. The washing machine and its spin cycle can damage the shoe's structure or weaken the adhesive. Very dirty fabric shoes can be hand washed with laundry detergent, but it is best to avoid soaking them. Remove the laces and insoles and wash and dry them separately. To keep the shape of the shoe, you can insert a piece of newspaper, for example, to support the shoe and absorb excess moisture.

For cleaning and care of shoes, we recommend using cleaning products designed for this purpose. They can be used to make even worn-out shoes as good as new, for example by cleaning the rubber sole of the shoe to make it shiny again and by scrubbing off any dust deposits from the early spring. There are various shoe deodorants to neutralize odors, but occasional cleaning and airing often do the same job. It's always a good idea to protect your shoes with a protective spray at the end of cleaning, which will also protect them from dirt and pollution.

Leather shoes

Shoes are made from a wide range of leathers, with different uses and treatments. Avoid getting the leather thoroughly wet and wash with a leather detergent designed for this purpose. If the cleaner requires it, use a well-pressed cleaning sponge or gauze cloth dipped in water to clean the shoe. Cleaning agents are not always necessary, but dust and dry dirt can be scrubbed off the shoe with a shoe brush. After cleaning, it's a good idea to moisturize the shoe with either a colorless or shoe-colored conditioner to help keep the leather supple. Elastic leather is less likely to form indentations, which are more likely to break down in use. Finally, it's a good idea to protect the leather with a moisturiser, which also locks the pores of the leather from dirt and pollution.

Suede and nubuck leather

Suede or nubuck leather, a slightly velvety and grainy type of leather, is slightly more demanding in terms of maintenance than its smooth cousin, top grain leather, and should be serviced more regularly. Suede and nubuck leather's best friend is a soft nubuck brush or rubber. This should be used to brush the shoe frequently, preferably after every use. Regular use of a moisturising product is also worthwhile, as it keeps the leather supple and in good condition.