How to Maintain Your Winter Workwear – Cleaning, Drying and Storage Tips

How to Maintain Your Winter Workwear – Cleaning, Drying and Storage Tips

Your winter workwear is an investment — not only in warmth, but in safety, professionalism, and long-term performance. Whether you’re using insulated work jackets, waterproof trousers, or fleece-lined accessories, proper maintenance ensures your garments retain their protective properties even after heavy use. At Optimum BHP, we help companies across Europe maintain their workwear to the highest standards.

In this article, we share practical tips for washing, drying, and storing winter PPE, helping you avoid common mistakes that shorten garment lifespan. For even more guidance, explore our detailed Winter Workwear FAQ (EN) and read expert advice on our English blog.

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🧼 Why Maintenance Matters for Cold-Weather Workwear

Improper care can quickly degrade the protective functions of your insulated clothing. Frequent washing at high temperatures, the use of harsh chemicals, or inadequate drying practices can:

• Flatten thermal insulation

• Diminish water repellency and breathability

• Deform or shrink softshell and waterproof fabrics

• Destroy reflective elements and compromise visibility

• Damage zippers, seams, and closures

By maintaining your work jackets, trousers, and accessories properly, you not only extend their lifespan but also ensure your team continues to work in safe, certified conditions throughout the season.

🧴 Cleaning Tips – What You Should (and Shouldn’t) Do

When cleaning winter workwear, always check the manufacturer’s label first. In general:

• ✅ Use mild, pH-neutral detergents

• ✅ Wash at low temperatures (30–40°C)

• ✅ Turn garments inside out before washing

• ✅ Rinse thoroughly to remove detergent residue

• ❌ Never use fabric softeners or bleach

• ❌ Avoid dry cleaning unless explicitly allowed

• ❌ Don’t overload the washing machine (limits movement and rinsing)

High-visibility work jackets and trousers with reflective strips must be handled especially carefully. Excessive heat or aggressive chemicals can degrade retroreflective materials, making garments non-compliant with EN ISO 20471.

💨 Drying Methods That Protect Your Gear

After washing, always dry your winter workwear slowly and gently:

• ✅ Air dry garments on a hanger in a well-ventilated space

• ✅ For fleece or softshells, lay flat to avoid stretching

• ✅ Use tumble drying only if the label explicitly permits it — and at low heat

• ❌ Never place wet garments on radiators or heaters

• ❌ Avoid direct sunlight exposure (can fade hi-vis colours and degrade fabric)

Improper drying is one of the main reasons insulated clothing loses its performance over time. At Optimum BHP, we advise clients to implement rotation systems — allowing washed garments to dry fully before reuse.

How to Maintain Your Winter Workwear When Working in Wet or Snowy Conditions

One of the most critical challenges during winter is exposure to wet snow, rain, and mud, which can quickly damage even the best winter workwear. Knowing how to maintain your winter workwear in such environments means taking extra care of waterproof membranes, zippers, and insulation. After each shift, garments should be brushed clean of snow or dirt and allowed to air-dry in a warm but well-ventilated space. Never leave wet insulated jackets or trousers in a sealed bag — this can cause mildew or internal condensation. If the jacket’s water repellency begins to wear off, use DWR spray (durable water repellent) to restore performance. You’ll find more maintenance advice specific to waterproof PPE in our Winter FAQ and on the workwear blog at Optimum BHP.

How to Maintain Your Winter Workwear with Company Branding or Logos

When your garments are branded with your company’s logo, the care process must be even more precise. If you’re unsure how to maintain your winter workwear without damaging embroidery or thermal prints, follow these rules: wash inside out, use delicate cycles, and avoid strong friction during washing and drying. Optimum BHP provides branded workwear that’s tested for repeated industrial washing, but every logo has its limits. Dry logos naturally — never iron or tumble dry directly on print or stitching. Maintaining branded work jackets properly ensures your team looks consistent, professional, and trustworthy. For companies investing in visual identity and uniform appearance, our blog covers logo placement and maintenance in depth.

How to Maintain Your Winter Workwear to Maximize Its Lifespan and Cost Efficiency

Knowing how to maintain your winter workwear properly doesn’t just protect your team — it protects your budget. Replacing jackets or trousers mid-season due to avoidable damage creates unnecessary costs. By following correct washing cycles, drying practices, and seasonal storage strategies, you can extend the life of each garment by 30–50%. For example, rotating between two sets of insulated clothing allows one to rest and recover between uses, which significantly slows wear. At Optimum BHP, we advise businesses to approach workwear as a long-term operational resource — not a disposable cost. Learn more about calculating total PPE value in our Winter FAQ or speak with our advisors about fleet-level planning.

📦 Storage Tips – Keep Your Gear Ready for Next Winter

When the season ends or gear is temporarily not in use:

• ✅ Store workwear clean and fully dry

• ✅ Keep garments in breathable fabric bags — not plastic

• ✅ Hang jackets to maintain shape; fold trousers gently

• ✅ Label by size and role for quick access

• ❌ Never compress or vacuum-pack insulated jackets

• ❌ Don’t store in damp areas, which can lead to mould or mildew

Many businesses order branded winter workwear — so visual presentation and durability matter. Proper storage helps retain color, shape, and logo quality over time.

🛠️ Maintenance by Garment Type

🧥 Safety Jackets

• Clean according to insulation type

• Check and restore DWR coating if waterproofing fades

• Replace broken zippers and torn cuffs early — before the damage worsens

👖 Insulated Trousers

• Pay attention to knee padding and leg cuffs

• Reinforce seams if used in kneeling positions

• Always brush off dried mud or salt before washing

🧤 Gloves, Hats & Base Layers

• Wash gloves and beanies regularly, especially when in contact with the face

• Never use hot dryers on elastic fabrics

• Replace base layers each season for hygiene and thermal consistency

For more details per item, refer to our Winter Workwear FAQ or contact our advisors at Optimum BHP.

🧠 Pro Tip: Keep Two Full Winter Sets Per Worker

Rotating gear prevents overwashing, extends durability, and ensures your team always has dry and compliant PPE. Many of our clients — especially in logistics, utilities, and construction — order two sets per employee for high-rotation periods.

To simplify your procurement, we offer ready-made winter workwear sets, tailored to industry, gender, and job function. Explore examples on our workwear blog or consult our support team for B2B pricing.

🔄 When to Replace Winter Workwear?

Even with the best care, insulated clothing has a lifespan. Replace garments if:

• Insulation is visibly flat or uneven

• Reflective strips are cracked or faded

• Waterproofing no longer repels water

• Zippers or closures fail under normal use

• Branding becomes illegible or worn out

Replacing worn-out PPE is not a cost — it’s a safety investment. With Optimum BHP, you can reorder quickly, including previous branding.

Conclusion – Care Is Protection

Well-maintained winter workwear keeps your team safe, compliant, and professional — day after day, season after season. Washing correctly, drying slowly, and storing smartly will extend the life of every jacket, trouser, glove and base layer.

🧼 Explore our full collection:

👉 Work Jackets

👉 Insulated Clothing

👉 Workwear FAQ

👉 Workwear Blog EN

Have questions about care instructions or team orders? Contact Optimum BHP — your reliable supplier of certified PPE since 2008.