Quick answer: Check the fabric and care label on each garment first. Most technical hunting clothing does best with a cold wash, zips done up and turned inside out, using a mild or technical wash. Skip the fabric softener and bleach, never use high heat, and line dry in the shade wherever you can.
Your kit is built to work hard, and the way you wash it makes a big difference to how long it lasts. Technical fabrics wick sweat, block wind, stay quiet in the scrub and hold their colour. The wrong wash can undo all of that.
Start with the label. Every Spika garment lists its fabric content and care instructions on the care label, and fabric details are on each product page. Find the fabric below and follow the matching tips, but if the label says something different, the label wins.
The golden rules (for almost everything)
- Wash cold, by hand or on a gentle cycle, as the label allows.
- Close zips, Velcro and press studs, and turn garments inside out to protect the outer fabric and any prints.
- No fabric softener. It clogs wicking fibres, kills water repellency and traps odour.
- No bleach. It weakens fibres and fades colours.
- Avoid high heat. No hot washes, hot dryers or drying in front of the fire. Line dry in the shade.
- Wash like with like. Keep fleece and brushed fabrics away from Velcro, zips and towels.
Fabric-by-fabric care
| Fabric | Commonly found in | Wash | Dry | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester and recycled polyester | Tees, shirts, jackets, linings | Cold, gentle, mild or technical wash | Line dry in shade | Softener, high heat |
| Stretch knits (polyester or nylon with elastane/spandex) | Performance tops, shirts, pants | Cold, gentle, inside out | Line dry in shade | High heat (damages stretch), softener |
| Fleece (grid fleece, microfleece, performance fleece) | Mid layers, jumpers, fleece pants | Cold, inside out, with soft items only | Line dry | Velcro, towels, high heat (pilling and melting) |
| Softshell | Jackets, pants | Cold, technical wash | Line dry | Softener, powder detergent |
| Nylon, ripstop and Cordura | Pants, jacket panels, gaiters | Cold, gentle | Line dry | High heat, harsh stain removers |
| Cotton and poly-cotton blends | Hoodies, tees, casual range | Cold to warm, like colours | Line dry, reshape while damp | Hot dryer (shrinkage), bleach |
| Merino wool and merino blends | Socks, base layers | Cold, wool cycle or hand wash, wool wash | Dry flat in shade | Hot water, tumble dry, softener |
| Waterproof and weatherproof membranes | Waterproof jackets and pants | See our waterproof jacket care guide | See our waterproof jacket care guide | See our waterproof jacket care guide |
| Down and synthetic insulation | Puffers, vests | See our puffer jacket care guide | See our puffer jacket care guide | See our puffer jacket care guide |
Polyester and recycled polyester
Polyester is tough, quick drying and holds its shape, but it can hold onto body odour.
- Wash after hard days, especially next-to-skin layers.
- For stubborn smells, a short pre-rinse in cold water with a splash of white vinegar helps (check the label says it can be soaked first).
- Line dry in the shade. On a good day it'll be dry in an hour.
Stretch knits and performance tops
Many of our performance tops, shirts and pants blend polyester or nylon with elastane or spandex for stretch. Some also have UPF sun protection or anti-odour treatments.
- Wash cold and inside out.
- Skip the softener. It coats the fibres and reduces wicking and anti-odour performance.
- Never tumble dry on high or leave near a heater. Heat breaks down elastane and the garment loses its stretch.
Fleece
Grid fleece, microfleece and performance fleece are warm and light, but brushed surfaces pill and pick up lint.
- Wash inside out, with other soft garments only. Keep them away from Velcro, zips and towels.
- Cold wash, then line dry.
- Pick off grass seeds and burrs before washing, or they'll work into the fibres.
- Keep fleece well away from campfire sparks. It melts easily.
Softshell
Softshell is stretchy, breathable and usually has a DWR finish. Care is similar to a waterproof jacket.
- Wash with a technical wash, never softener.
- Line dry in the shade.
- Reproof with a spray-on DWR when water stops beading (see our waterproof jacket care guide).
Nylon, ripstop and Cordura
Nylon pants, jacket panels and gaiters take a beating in the scrub.
- Brush off dried mud before washing.
- Wash cold on a gentle cycle, or by hand.
- Line dry. High heat can weaken nylon and any coatings.
- Check for small tears after each trip and patch them early. Ripstop is designed to stop tears spreading, but it still needs attention.
Cotton and poly-cotton blends
Our casual and lifestyle range is easy care.
- Wash cold to warm with like colours.
- Line dry and reshape while damp to minimise shrinkage.
- Wash printed or embroidered garments inside out to protect the logo.
Merino wool and merino blends
Merino is naturally odour resistant, so it needs washing less often. Air it out between days in the field and only wash it when it's actually dirty.
- Wash inside out on a wool or delicate cycle, or by hand, in cold water with a wool-specific wash.
- Dry flat in the shade. Hanging wet merino stretches it, and direct sun weakens the fibres.
- Never tumble dry. It will shrink.
- Store folded, not hung, and keep moths away with cedar blocks or lavender.
Tough stains from the field
- Blood: rinse in cold water straight away. Never use hot water, as it sets the stain.
- Mud: let it dry, brush off as much as you can, then wash.
- Grease and gun oil: dab with a drop of dishwashing liquid, work it in gently and wash as normal.
- Tree sap: dab with a little rubbing alcohol on a cloth, testing a hidden spot first.
Clothing care FAQs
How do I know what fabric my Spika garment is? Check the care label sewn inside the garment, or the product page on our website. Both list the fabric content.
Should I wash hunting clothes in scent-free detergent? If you're hunting animals that rely on scent, like deer, a scent-free detergent helps keep your kit neutral. Store your hunting clothes away from household smells too.
Can I tumble dry merino? No. It will shrink and felt. Dry it flat in the shade.
Why does my synthetic shirt still smell after washing? Body oils build up in polyester. Avoid fabric softener, which traps odour, and wash next-to-skin layers soon after use.
Why is my fleece pilling? Friction in the wash. Turn it inside out and wash it only with other soft garments, away from Velcro and zips.