Isabella Wharton

12 January, 2026

How to Care for your Sealskinz Products

The Sealskinz Product Care Guide. Ensuring your products last is the simplest way to be sustainable and look after our planet

Caring properly for your Sealskinz products is an essential part of making them last longer and reducing their impact on the planet. Our product care guides and washing instructions are designed to help you protect the performance, comfort and durability of our technically advanced, sustainably considered fabrics. By washing less, following the correct care steps and repairing where possible, you help preserve waterproofing, breathability and insulation while cutting down on unnecessary waste and resource use. Thoughtful care extends the life of your gear, keeps it performing at its best and supports a more responsible approach to outdoor products, better for you, and better for the environment.

Sealskinz Care Guide

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Waterproof Socks

Wash at 40ºC/105ºF or low temperatures.
Low Tumble Dry or Drip Dry (but keep away from radiators or other direct heat sources to avoid melting the membrane).
Do Not Dry Clean, Iron, or Bleach.

For waterproof socks, keep your talons trimmed! Not only is this a good look, it will prevent the waterproof membrane from becoming damaged - this is one of the common causes of socks losing their waterproofness.

Always wear appropriate footwear and avoid walking with socks on but not shoes. Inspect the inside of your footwear for stones, thorns and other sharp objects that could damage and wear away the waterproof membrane.

Bamboo Socks

Bamboo socks have less of an environmental impact than socks made from synthetic materials or conventional cotton. Importantly, Sealskinz bamboo hiking socks blend sustainability with performance, empowering the wearer and the planet.

We recommend washing at 30ºC/86ºF with a mild detergent and then air drying.

Avoid using bleach or tumble drying to maintain the super-soft feel, sweat wicking properties, and shape of our hiking socks.

Running Socks

Wash at 40ºC/104ºF or low temperatures.
Do NOT tumble dry, iron, dry clean, or bleach

Merino Wool Socks

Hot water is an enemy to merino wool, make sure to wash our merino products at cooler temperatures, we recommend 30ºC/85ºF.
Drip dry the socks, not on a radiator. And do not dry clean, iron, or bleach.

This will ensure your merino lasts longer and retains its shape and heat retaining properties for longer.

Waterproof Gloves

Wash at 30-40ºC/105ºF or low temperatures.
Low Tumble Dry or Drip Dry (but keep away from radiators or other direct heat sources to avoid melting the membrane).
Do Not Dry Clean, Iron, or Bleach.

Allow the product to drip dry naturally, avoid drying on a radiator or other direct heat source to prevent damaging the waterproof membrane.

Check each glove styles' individual label for extensive washing instructions, this may vary depending on fabrics.

Heated Gloves

Do Not Wash
Do Not Tumble Dry
Do Not Iron
Do Not Bleach

Due to the electrical wiring within our heated gloves, please ensure they do not go in the washing machine.
To ensure longevity, you can clean the leather with a cloth or soft brush in lukewarm water and avoid using soap on the leather. Use suitable leather conditioner as required.

Non-Waterproof and Merino Wool Gloves

For knitted, merino wool gloves or non-waterproof microfleece gloves:
Wash at 30ºC/105ºF or low temperatures.
Low Tumble Dry or Drip Dry (but keep away from radiators or other direct heat sources to avoid damaging fabrics).
Do Not Dry Clean, Iron, or Bleach.

Leather Gloves

We believe gloves should last more than a few years, and our leather gloves have been crafted with goatskin leather that is heavily resistant to abrasion.

Make sure to take care of your leather gloves, to ensure they last for years to come and get better with wear. For gloves that have leather palms, clean the leather with a cloth or soft brush in lukewarm water and avoid using soap on the leather. Use suitable leather conditioner as required.

Do not machine wash, tumble dry, dry clean, iron or bleach.

Beanies and Bobble Hats

For knitted beanie and bobble hats:
Wash at 30ºC/105ºF or low temperatures.
Low Tumble Dry or Drip Dry (but keep away from radiators or other direct heat sources to avoid melting the waterproof Aquasealz™ membrane).
Do Not Dry Clean, Iron, or Bleach.

Waterproof Caps and Bucket Hats

Your Sealskinz cap can be thrown into the washing machine as normal to remove any build-up of sweat, sun cream, makeup or general dirt that picks up during the summer months.

Wash at 30ºC/85ºF
Leave it to drip dry away from a direct heat source, to avoid damaging our Aquasealz™ membrane.
Do not dry clean, iron, or bleach

Waterproof Jackets and Trousers

We recommend washing our fully waterproof jackets on a delicate wash or at 30ºC.
Leave to Drip Dry (but keep away from radiators or other direct heat sources to avoid melting the membrane or damaging the coating).
Do Not Dry Clean, Iron, or Bleach.

For water repellent jackets and trousers, we recommend a cold wash at no more than 30ºC to keep them in great condition for a long time.

Our jackets and trousers have been constructed with robust fabrics which support natural movement, making them ideal for active lifestyles. We pride ourselves on our use of recycled fabrics, which ensures the landscapes we love to explore are protected even on smaller scales. As the consumer, you have the ability to do your part by making sure you take care of the products correctly. 

T-Shirts

We recommend washing our 100% organic cotton t-shirts at 30ºC.
Leave to Drip Dry or tumble dry on low.
Do Not Dry Clean or Bleach.

Fleeces/Sweatshirts/Jumpers

We recommend washing our fleeces at 30ºC.
Leave to Drip Dry or tumble dry on low.
Do Not Dry Clean or Bleach.

Running Clothing

Wash all running t-shirts and shorts at 30ºC/85ºF inside out with similar colours.
Do not use products containing bleach, oil, or alcohol.
Dry flat and warm iron on reverse. Do not use iron directly on any prints. Cool iron only on the reverse.
Do not dry in direct sunlight.
Do not tumble dry.

Swim

Wash swim shorts at 30ºC/85ºF inside out with similar colours.
Do not use products containing bleach, oil, or alcohol.
Dry flat.
Warm iron on reverse and do not use iron directly on print.
Cool iron only on the reverse.
Do not dry in direct sunlight.
Do not tumble dry.

Bags

Do Not Wash
Do Not Tumble Dry
Do Not Iron
Do Not Bleach

If bags need to be treated for stains or dirt/debris, we recommend taking a damp cloth and some warm soapy water or a dry brush to remove mud and dirt.

Underwear

To ensure underwear lasts longer and is fit for use during exercise, we recommend washing them on a delicate cycle or at 30°C.

It is preferable to drip dry, but if tumble drying, then do so on a lower setting to avoid shrinkage.

Slippers

Do Not Wash
Do Not Tumble Dry
Do Not Iron
Do Not Bleach

If slippers need to be treated for stains or dirt/debris, we recommend taking a damp cloth and some warm soapy water or a dry brush to remove mud and dirt.

Mindful Changes

Around two-thirds of an apparel product’s environmental impact happens during the consumer use phase, making product care one of the most effective ways to reduce that impact. By washing less frequently and wearing garments more between washes, you can significantly lower the overall lifecycle footprint of your clothing. Choosing to wash fuller loads rather than several small ones also helps conserve water and energy, saving time and money while supporting a more sustainable approach to outdoor product care.

When caring for your Sealskinz accessories, including waterproof socks, gloves and headgear, always follow the care label instructions attached to each product. Our washing instructions are specifically designed to protect the technical performance of our Aquasealz™ membrane and our waterproof, windproof and breathable fabrics. Factors such as colour fastness, membrane construction, seam sealing and intended end use are all considered to help maintain waterproof protection, insulation and comfort. So, you, and your accessories, can stay outdoors longer.

Proper care is especially important for waterproof clothing and accessories. Using the correct detergent, avoiding fabric softeners and washing only, when necessary, helps preserve the waterproof membrane and durable water repellent finish. Keeping your Sealskinz gear clean and well maintained ensures it continues to block rain, wind and cold effectively, so you can stay outside longer, whatever the conditions. Looking after your waterproof socks and accessories also reduces the need for early replacement, cutting down on waste and environmental impact.

Small, mindful habits can make a big difference. Measuring detergent correctly can eliminate the need for extra rinse cycles, reducing water use. Before washing, empty pockets, close zips and fasten closures, and wash new coloured items separately from lighter shades. Treat stains as soon as possible, particularly on natural or performance fabrics, as they absorb more over time. For gentler product care, we recommend air drying over tumble drying and steaming instead of ironing to protect fabric fibres and waterproof performance. With the right care, your Sealskinz products will last longer, perform better and support a more responsible way to enjoy the outdoors.

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