How to take care of the kids' outerwear

How to take care of the kids' outerwear

Care guide

Outerwear keeps the kids warm when it’s cold and protects them from wind and rain when it’s pouring down. That’s why we should show some love in return. Here are some ways to take care of the kids’ outerwear to preserve their functions. That way, they can wear it now and pass it on later.

How to wash the kids' jackets and other outerwear

When it comes to washing waterproof clothes and other outerwear, a little goes a long way. To preserve wind‑ and waterproof functions, it’s important not to wash jackets and shell trousers too often. Light dirt, odours, and stains can easily be removed with a damp cloth, and the garment can be aired out. But we know, sometimes the whole garment needs a thorough wash. Here are a few things to keep in mind when washing your children’s outerwear:

  • Always follow the garment’s care instructions when machine washing
  • Always wash at the temperature indicated on the label, and with similar colors
  • Use a mild detergent and skip the fabric softener to help preserve the garment’s functions
  • Make sure all zippers, buttons, and velcro fastenings are closed
  • Turn the garment inside out to protect it from scraping against other clothes
  • Voilà! The garment is ready for a spin in the washing machine.

How to wash the kids’ fleece garments

Fleece garments also benefit from not being machine‑washed too often. Small stains can be removed with a damp cloth, and the garment can be aired out to get rid of odour. To freshen up the garments without washing, you can also use Pure Effect textile spray. Pure Effect contains a bacterial culture that prevents and removes odors and certain stains, helping extend the time between washes.

Just as with other outerwear, follow the garment’s care instructions when it’s time to machine wash. Wash fleece with similar colors at a low temperature and skip the fabric softener. It’s also a good idea to use a laundry bag to prevent microplastics from leaking out and to protect the garment from pilling and wear in the washing machine.

How do you dry outerwear?

You can either air dry outerwear, let them dry in a drying cabinet, or in the dryer at a low temperature. Down jackets are best dried in the tumble dryer, and if the jacket is very thick with a lot of padding or down, a few tennis balls can help make the jacket fluffy again. By drying outerwear with water-repellent functions in a drying cabinet or tumble dryer on low heat, the garment’s impregnation is reactivated. If you don’t have access to a drying cabinet or tumble dryer, you can reactivate the impregnation by carefully ironing or steaming the garment.

Garments with smart, water-repellent functions

Our water-repellent outerwear for kids has been treated with BIONIC-FINISH® ECO impregnation, which creates a surface that resists moisture. The effect of this treatment gets weaker with wear and washing, but it can easily be reactivated by drying the garment in a drying cabinet after washing. You can test the impregnation by spraying some water on the garment. As long as the water stays on the surface, the water-repellent function is still active. If you see that the water soaks into the fabric, it’s time to re-impregnate it to maintain its function. Water-repellent impregnation sprays can be found in most sports stores and are also usually designed to offer stain protection.

Discover our high-performing Kids Performance Wear

Our durable Kids Performance Wear garments are designed with an innovative kinetic construction that follows the body's natural movements. The garments are both windproof and waterproof – made for unlimited play and built to last.
 A picture of different reflectors, foot straps, repair patches and other things you can buy at Lindex.

Repair tears and holes in your kids’ clothes with our repair patches

Tears in your kids’ outerwear are a good sign; it means that the garment has been used and loved. But if it needs mending, you can use one of our practical self-adhesive repair patches for outerwear. Make sure the area that needs to be repaired is clean and dry. Then cut the patch to the right size and press it firmly against the garment for a few seconds until it sticks. After that, the garment can be used just like usual again.

Smart functions and accessories

Discover details and accessories that make everyday life a little easier (and more fun). Here we’ve gathered smart features and practical accessories for the kids’ outerwear, from adjustable solutions to creative add-ons.

A worn foot strap on a child's overalls.

Detachable foot straps

Many of our functional trousers have detachable, elastic foot straps. If they become worn out, you can easily replace them with new ones. Choose between elastic or silicone foot straps. Simply cut off the old straps and attach the new ones to the buttons on the inside of the leg cuffs.

Outerwear unique with reflective stickers Make the kids

Dirt, tears, water and heat from drying can wear down reflectors and reflective details. Refresh the garments and let the kids get creative with our reflective stickers, available in many fun shapes as well as classic strips and patches. Remember that our reflective stickers do not replace reflectors but are only intended for decorative use.

Marker pen for smart labelling

Our marker pen helps you stay organised and avoid mix-ups between the kids’ clothes. Inside our outerwear garments, you’ll find a label with space for your child’s name – and for future owners when it’s time for the outerwear to be passed on to the next wearer.
How do you wash shell clothing?

Always wash your shell clothing according to the garment’s specific washing instructions. Use a mild detergent and skip the fabric softener. If you want to read more in-depth about what to keep in mind when washing shell garments and other outerwear, scroll up to “How to wash the kids' jackets and other outerwear” to learn more.

How do you wash puffer jackets and down jackets?

Down jackets and padded jackets should be washed according to the temperature stated in the garment’s washing instructions. Just like with other outerwear, it’s best to avoid fabric softener as it can affect the jacket’s insulating functions.

How do you maintain water-repellent functions?

The water-repellent function of outerwear decreases with wear and washing, but it can be reactivated by drying the garment in a drying cabinet after washing. However, if you notice that water is soaking into the fabric, it’s time to re-impregnate it to maintain its water-repellent function.

How do you repair tears and holes in outerwear?

As mentioned in the guide above, tears can easily be repaired with our repair patches. Simply cut the patch to the right size and press it on to the garment for a few seconds. As good as new!

How do you wash wool and merino wool?

Airing wool garments goes a long way. But when they do need washing, choose a wool program or hand wash at maximum 30°C, preferably using a wool detergent or another mild detergent. Avoid rubbing or the garment, instead gently press out the water and let it dry flat. This helps the wool to keep its softness, shape, and warming properties.