Product Care
Your First Ascent products are technically designed to endure many different types of environments. No matter how well we design and manufacture our products, it is up to you to follow the wash and care instructions provided with each product. Below you will find general wash and care information for various types of products and materials found in our products. Please note that you must read each products wash care label before washing it to ensure you do not damage it.
Apparel
General wash care
- Wash with 30°C lukewarm water
- Don't tumble dry
- Don't iron
- Don't dry clean, use bleach or use fabric softener
- Wash like colours together
Tips
- Don't use liquid detergents
- Double rinse
Wash care label example
- Wash at or below 30°C
- Do not bleach
- Do not iron
- Do not dry clean
- Do not tumble dry
Rainwear
- Don't dry clean, use bleach or use fabric softener
- Wash separate by hand in warm 40°C water using NikWax Tech Wash
- Rinse well
- Tumble dry on low heat and secure all zips and flaps
- After washing treat DWR with Nikwax DWR spray
Wash tips
- Close main zipper and velcro.
- Open pocket zips and loosen all elastic tensioners
Drying tips
- Remove excess moisture by pressing with a clean towel
- Turn garment periodically inside out
- Tumble dry up to 15 minutes on low heat
Down Jackets
- Don't dry clean, use bleach, or use fabric softener
- Wash separate by hand in warm 40°C water
- Use only down specific soap
- Rinse well
- Tumble dry on low heat and secure all zips and closures
- After washing treat DWR with Nikswax spray
Wash tips
- Wash in a mesh washing bag or pillow case if you don't have a front loader, wash 1 item pre-wash
- Use sock balls or dryer balls
- Close main zipper and velcro.
- Open pocket zips and loosen all elastic tensioners
Drying tips
- Remove excess moisture by pressing with a clean towel
- Turn garment periodically inside out throughout the dry cycle
- Tumble dry up to 15 minutes on low heat
Fleece
- Don't dry clean
- Don't use bleach or use fabric softener
- Wash in 30°C luke warm water
- Don't tumble dry
- Don't iron
Wash tips
- Wash inside out to prevent piling forming on the outer surface
- Close main zipper and velcro (if applicable).
- Open pocket zips and loosen all elastic tensioners
Drying tips
- Remove excess moisture by pressing with a clean towel
Equipment
Backpacks
- After each trip wipe off dirt (inside and out) with a damp sponge using a mild soap such as NikWax Tech Wash
- Empty all the pockets/compartments
- Rinse the pack completely using lukewarm tap water
- Clean all dirt off (inside and out) with a damp sponge using a mild soap such as NikWax Tech Wash
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water
- Make sure all dirt is rinsed out of buckles and zippers
- Pat dry with a towel and allow the pack to dry away from heat source and not in direct sun
Wash tips
- Use a soft bristled nylon brush to get tough and stubborn stains out.
- NB Excessive scrubbing will damage the fabric!
Drying tips
- Make sure there are no pools of water trapped in the bag
- Leave all the pockets open
- Hang it on your wash line or a tree branch in a breezy spot to ensure it drys quickly
Tents
- Read the in-depth tent cleaning article here
- Inspect your tent after use and brush off any dirt, or organic material
- For tough dirt marks, use a damp sponge with a mild soap (like NikWax Tech Wash) to wipe away the dirt
- Rinse with cool fresh water
- Dry the tent out completely before storing
DON'T do the following
- Wash in a washing machine or dry in a dryer
- Don't use a hair dryer or heat gun to dry
- Don't store your tent damp - it will go mouldy very quickly which will ruin it
Drying tips
- Remove excess moisture by drying with a clean towel
- Hang up the fly sheet from a high breezy spot to help it dry faster
Storage tips
- For long term storage, store the tent loosely in a cotton sack or cardboard box in a cool dry place
- This will ensure longevity of the fabric
Sleeping bags
Washing a sleeping bag by hand can take a few hours, so ensure you set some time aside. We have a great in-depth article on cleaning your down sleeping bag here.