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 sustainability action.

How do I care for and wash my clothes properly?

Air the product first

Excessive washing wears out clothes and at the same time puts a load on the environment by consuming energy and water. Often, simply airing the product outside or in front of an open window is enough. This is especially advisable with outdoor clothing, casual and formal wear, and shoes. However, avoid airing clothes in direct sunlight to prevent colors from fading. To lengthen the interval between washing, clothes can also be freshened by freezing or steaming (always take into consideration the heat resistance of the fabric when steaming).

Stain removal

For small stains, try removing them locally first instead of washing the whole product. For heavy stains, it is advisable to try to remove them before machine washing. Always check the suitability of the stain remover for the fabric in the product care instructions and by trying the stain remover on an inconspicuous area. Many stain removers may contain bleaching agents and are not suitable for dyed products. Traditional gall 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. However, spirit vinegar should be avoided if a self-dispensing washing machine is used.

Maintenance of woolen knits

High-quality knitted materials will last for a long time in use, if the knitted material receives proper care and maintenance. Animal-derived wool materials, such as sheep’s wool, cashmere and alpaca, are long-lasting and comfortable materials that can often be cleaned simply by airing them in fresh air (see the section on airing first). It is advisable to try to remove stains primarily locally, as unnecessary washing of knits should be avoided. When removing stains, use a mild detergent, preferably intended for wool and, if possible, test it on an inconspicuous part of the product first to ensure that it does not affect the color or surface structure of the product. In addition, animal-derived knits should always be handwashed at a relatively low temperature. Once washed, the product should be dried flat to avoid stretching.

Animal-derived knits do not wear in the same way as synthetic knits, but in use and through mechanical abrasion they form a small lint on the surface. This affects the appearance of the product, but fortunately is easy to remove with a lint brush or lint cutter. Treat the product with an instrument to test what pressure you should apply. A lint brush is a gentler tool than a cutter and will not cut the fiber in the same way, but occasionally a lint cutter is better than a comb for certain types of material. Here experimentation will tell you the best approach.

Sports- and activewear

Sports- and activewear should be washed more often than other types of clothing to prevent dirt and odors from sticking to the fabric. If possible, it’s a good idea to wash sweaty clothes as soon as possible after use, or at least leave them to air dry. Follow the washing instructions carefully. However, to save energy and the garment, the washing temperature can be set lower than the instructions in the care instructions if the product becomes clean at a lower temperature. For sweaty and odorous textiles, a vinegar water rinse, a vinegar-based rinsing agent and a detergent for sportswear work well. Icepeak Sport Wash is a detergent for sports textiles that neutralizes odors and bacteria more effectively than traditional detergents. In addition, when washing synthetic materials (e.g. sports textiles and pile fleece), we recommend the use of wash bags specifically designed to collect microplastics in order to reduce the release of microplastics into water bodies during washing.

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 a down imitation product, it is important to dry the product flat and to fluff it up several times during drying.

A tumble dryer can be used for down products, but it is a good idea to slip in a few clean tennis balls, for example, to fluff the down. A down detergent such as Icepeak Down Wash will keep down fluffy and warm from one wash to the next.

The purpose of shell jackets and trousers is to protect the wearer from different weather conditions. As a result, they get dirty more easily than other outdoor clothing and need to be washed more often. Each wash wears away the water-repellent treatment formed on the surface of the shell garment and thus the water repellency of the products. This treatment can be added by the user, either with a spray-on protective treatment or with a special detergent that is activated in the washing machine using warm water. Such products can befound in sporting goods stores and well-stocked grocery stores. For example, a protective spray for shoes may also be suitable for outdoor clothing, but always check the product information. When using the spray, preferably spray it outdoors and carefully over the entire product. Remember to allow the product to dry before use. The treatment is usually completely discreet and, depending on the product, will last for several washes before it should be repeated.

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 detergent requires so, use a damp sponge or cloth dipped in water to clean the shoe. Cleaning agents are not always necessary; a shoe brush can be used to remove dust and dry dirt from the shoe. 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. Supple 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 moisture protector, 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 crepe. This should be used to brush the shoe frequently, preferably after every use. Regular use of a moisturizing product is also worthwhile, as it keeps the leather supple and in good condition.

Product repair

When needed, you can also have our product brands repaired, altered or styled to give them the additional longevity they deserve. This is easily done through our partner Menddie. The service is offered so far only in Finland