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Washing down jackets with tennis balls, avoiding using fabric softener with Merino wool: Transa’s Désirée has even more tips for taking good care of your outdoor equipment so your waterproof jacket or shoes last longer.
Your outdoor equipment joins you on all kinds of adventures: you get sweaty, hike across swampy terrain, hunker around a fire. And then? How can you wash a down jacket? How can you clean hiking boots? And how can you keep Merino wool looking good after you’ve washed it? We’ve put together the key tips on looking after outdoor clothing and equipment – because if you take good care of your outdoor equipment, it’ll last for longer.
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The right way to look after down
As little as possible, as often as needed – that’s how you should clean down equipment. Frequent washing stops it from being as fluffy, which makes it less insulating. Sleeping bags made from down or synthetic fibre should also be aired out regularly. Ideally, you’d use an additional inlet with them to protect against dirt and sweat, extending their service life.
We’ll wash your down products
We can professionally clean your down products for you if you don’t trust yourself to wash them at home or don’t have the necessary appliances. More information can be found here.
The right way to look after shoes
Shoes have a harder time of it than almost any other item in our kit. We wear them in rain and snow, we sweat in them under the blazing heat of the sun, they’re bent and creased umpteen times during every tour, the sole is abraded by rocks and scree. And despite all that, we often just put them back in our shoe rack – uncleaned – after use. If you put effort into looking after your hiking boots or trekking shoes at regular intervals, though, they’ll stay breathable and waterproof so you can extend their service life.
We’ll resole your shoes
Do your climbing shoes or hiking boots fit perfectly, but the sole is worn out or a seam is coming undone? Together with our suppliers, we can offer you new soles and professional repairs so you don’t have to go out and buy new footwear. You can arrange this service at the store of your choice.
Shoe care products
The right way to look after waterproof jackets
Body oils, grease and sweat put your waterproof jacket’s membrane through its paces. Over time, the inner side will come unstuck. So – unlike your down-based equipment – you’re best off washing your hardshell more, rather than less.
Waterproofing products
The right way to wax G-1000
For many, G-1000 Fjällräven is the high-performance fabric par excellence. Greenland Wax keeps this polyester/cotton blend both waterproof and windproof. You should apply this wax after roughly every three machine washes.
Applying Greenland Wax
Firmly rub the wax block over the fabric. The garment should be clean, ideally freshly washed.
Don’t forget about corners, seams and pockets!
If you like, you can apply more wax to the front for improved protection against storms. And on the back, where you carry your bags, you can go with less wax. This allows you to regulate the ventilation and sweat less.
Iron the garment at around 60°C to melt the wax into the fabric.
It’s often easier to use a hairdryer to work in wax on pre-shaped knees, the base of backpacks or bags.
If necessary, repeat the process on areas particularly vulnerable to moisture, such as the seat, knees and shoulders.
Caution: the more wax you apply, the stiffer the fabric will be after you’ve ironed it.
We’ll show you exactly how to do this at every Transa store on the first Saturday of the month. Prefer someone else to wax for you? You can hand your product over to our waxing service.
The right way to look after Merino wool
Merino wool is kind to your skin, resistant to dirt and anti-bacterial – which means you can wear it for a long time before it starts to smell. And that’s a lucky coincidence, as machine washing isn’t good for its delicate fibres. So, bear our care tips in mind when washing Merino garments.
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