Getting dirty and loving it
Our planet is a one-of-a-kind playground where dogs and dog owners can enjoy nearly endless adventures. And dogs seem to enjoy their time outdoors even more than we do. Running, jumping, rolling around, exploring, all with little care about dirt and mud. Dogs are going to play, and get dirty. The purpose of dog apparel and gear is to help them, and you, enjoy your outdoor time to its fullest – in any weather.
But know this, even the best technical, breathable materials won’t perform very well unless they are clean. You don’t need to wash your Hurtta apparel and gear after every outdoor activity, often just allowing them to air dry is enough. However, mud and salt water will weaken the materials over time, which is why we have put together some helpful care instructions. It won’t take too much of your time and keep in mind, when you take care of your dog’s favourite apparel and gear, the way that you care for your own things, it will perform better, last longer, and the fun times that you enjoy together can keep on rolling.
Laundry bag
Take better care of your Hurtta apparel and gear with the wash and store laundry bag that takes better care of your washing machine and the planet.
A wash bag extends the life of dog clothes.
A good wash bag also prevents dog hair from getting into the washing machine. You can help this by brushing off any dander and dog hair that is on your dog’s clothes before putting the item in the wash bag.
Remember not to stuff the wash bag too full to avoid detergent residue build-up on fabrics. Liquid laundry detergent will yield the best results. Hair and lint that accumulates inside the wash bag is easy to remove from the bag and you can discard it in your mixed-waste receptacle. But not in bio-waste collection, so microplastics do not end up in nature.
A clever little piece of foam that comes with the wash bag also helps to keep dog hair out of your washing machine. It can either be placed inside the wash bag or inside the washing machine. During the wash cycle, the foam will collect loose dog hair.
A wash bag makes doing laundry easier and it’s more environmentally friendly as it reduces the release of harmful microplastics from synthetic fibre fabrics into waterways.
Laundry day
Dog apparel and gear needs to be washed too
Always follow the washing instructions on each product’s care instructions label. Some Hurtta products can only be washed by hand, while others can go in the washing machine, as long as you use the correct water temperature and spin cycles specified on the product’s label.
Remember to use a fragrance-free and allergy-friendly detergent so that the product won’t irritate you dog after washing. We also suggest an environmentally friendly detergent so that it burdens nature as little as possible.
Quick pre-wash prep
Remove any hair, mud, and sand with a towel or shake the product outside before you wash the item. Secure buckles, zippers, and any Velcro strips before washing. Also, loosen any cords or drawstrings to allow the entire product to be washed. If you have shortened any drawstrings yourself, make a knot at the end so as not to lose the cord inside the product during washing.
Set your washing machine for success
Select the appropriate amount of water for your load and add detergent as instructed. It’s important to adjust the water temperature and choose a gentle or delicate wash cycle that is suitable for your Hurtta product. A wash bag can also help to further protect the garment from unnecessary wear and tear during the wash cycle.
Spin cycles should be used at either low speeds or not at all, again not to cause unnecessary damage to the product. After washing, make sure that there are no detergent residues leftover on the product. If there is, simply rinse the product again.
If the product has a waterproof shell, the use of fabric softener is not recommended as it can damage the waterproofing and weaken the product’s water resistance. Instead of fabric softener you can use a small amount of laundry vinegar or a distilled white vinegar-water mixture, which will clean and freshen the product, and it is also an environmentally friendly choice.
How to wash by hand
Hand washing is especially recommended for the following apparel:
- Life jackets
- Thermal, foil-lined products
- Collars, harnesses and leashes
- Boots
Machine washing the products mentioned above may damage the products or the washing machine itself. In particular, lifejackets are often exposed to salty seawater and thus it is recommended to rinse them with fresh water as soon as possible after each use.
Products with a thermal foil layer should be turned inside out if necessary to protect the foil layer from wear and tear caused by washing. They should also be air dried.
A large bucket is great for washing items by hand, which will allow you to wash the entire garment and do any necessary scrubbing. Especially dirty items should be pre-soaked to help remove any stubborn dirt or mud. After washing, remember to rinse thoroughly to remove any detergent residues.
Dry time
You’re almost there. You followed the instruction label on your garment or gear and gave the item a proper washing. Next comes drying. Check the care instructions again to determine whether or not the product can be dried in a clothes dryer. Most products are not suitable for drying in a tumble dryer, for example due to metal hardware that could cause damage to the dryer. Also, the heat of the dryer could loosen any of the product’s taped seams or harm the product’s waterproofing.
Hanging your apparel and gear to dry is also a more ecological option than drying in a clothes dryer, so we recommend always air-drying Hurtta products on a clothesline or hanger. However, they should not be hung from the product’s drawstrings or leg loops as their elasticity may be lessened or cords could break as some products, such as jackets, may be quite heavy when wet.
For thicker, waterproof gear such as overalls, turn the item inside out for faster drying. You can dry the equipment indoors or outdoors, but it’s best to avoid direct sunlight.
Odour removal
Prevent
Dog apparel and gear can get a little smelly at times. In addition to dirt or mud clinging to the dog’s coat and its apparel, the natural oils in the dog’s fur can cause an unpleasant, musty smell in the dog’s apparel.
You can help to prevent odours by regularly washing your dog’s apparel and gear. Also, wash and air-dry seasonal gear before storing, even if it doesn’t look dirty. This way they won’t start to smell and will be ready for use when they are needed again next year. Simply follow the instructions on the product’s care label and the washing tips noted above.
Ventilate
If a washed and well-dried product starts to smell, you should first ventilate it outdoors as much as possible, for example on a hanger. Ventilation is particularly effective in cooler weather, but fresh air can also help with odours in summer. But avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
Rewash
If ventilation does not work, the product should be washed again carefully using detergent. Especially with items that are used a lot, dirt can be quite stubborn, but a thorough soaking can make cleaning the item easier. Instead of fabric softener, try laundry vinegar. Afterwards, check that the product is clean, properly rinsed, and air-dried.
Freeze away odours
If the product is still a bit smelly after washing, drying, and ventilating, you can try to remove the odour by freezing the item, as the freezing temperature may kill bacteria and microbes that can cause odours.
You can either put the product in a freezer or outside in freezing winter weather. Usually a couple of hours is enough, but if necessary you can try even longer. The more airy you keep the item during freezing, the better it will neutralise odours and refresh the item. A tightly packed product should be kept in the freezer for a longer duration.
Try vinegar
Vinegar can also effectively neutralise odours. You can use a spray bottle to spray the wet or dry garment with a water-distilled white vinegar solution. Always dilute vinegar with water.
After spraying, squeeze out or shake off any excess liquid from the item and dry it properly. The smell of vinegar will evaporate rather quickly as the product dries, so don’t be alarmed by it.
If the product smells especially bad throughout the process, you can add more laundry vinegar to the water. In this case, the product should be soaked entirely in the water-vinegar mix. After washing, rinse and air-dry the item outdoors as needed.
Try deodorising sprays
There are several different odour-eliminating sprays available on the market. Always make sure they are suitable for textiles, and especially for products that feature technical and waterproof layers.
Deodorising sprays kill bacteria. They are often developed for products that are difficult to wash. Always carefully read the deodorising product’s instructions and determine whether or not the spray is recommended for use on apparel and gear that comes into contact with skin and other surfaces.
Also, check whether the spray contains fragrances, so that the spray does not irritate the dog or the dog’s skin. And please choose a deodorant spray that is environmentally friendly.
