Laundering Hunting Clothing

[AshleyWY]

Apologies in advance if this topic has already been covered here; I didn't see any threads with this specific question, but I may have simply missed them.

Out of curiosity, how often do you launder your hunting clothes? After each hunt? Less frequently? I have been hunting in an area lately where the wind has been in my favor for many days and will likely continue to be until I am through; however, I guess I'm asking as far as scent is concerned, as well as longevity of the actual garments. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[NRA4LIFE]

After every hunt because I can smell up clothes like no other. Unscented detergent and my wife puts some kind of enzymatic (I think) deodorizer in there too.

 

[Fritz D]

They need to sell Tide in a Sitka-approved camouflage jug.

 

[Mtns2hunt]

Every two days.

 

[Stickmark]

Had coues 3 yards (neck shot, nope), 7 yards, 10 yards, etc...this winter season. Only using 9 Elements laundry detergent. I really don't know what the deer experienced this season (how they perceived me. In rustler jeans). I do know the does are really used to me. Will see me and go back to feeding, at 40 yards.

 

[Szwampdonkey]

So you’re asking if you can wash your clothes to remove your scent or what???? Cause you can’t.

I wash hunting clothes at the end of the season cause why wash something that’s just going to get dirty again tomorrow. Sometimes i just put em in totes as is until next year.

 

[LongWayAround]

I wash my stuff sparingly.

If it's sweaty or bloody, it gets washed. Minor day to day use doesn't warrant a wash for me.

I try to buy detergent without UV brighteners. It's usually some sort of "baby" unscented, etcetera. Most Free&Clear detergents still have the brighteners.

 

[AshleyWY]

After every hunt because I can smell up clothes like no other. Unscented detergent and my wife puts some kind of enzymatic (I think) deodorizer in there too.

Thanks for your response!

 

[AshleyWY]

So you’re asking if you can wash your clothes to remove your scent or what???? Cause you can’t.

I wash hunting clothes at the end of the season cause why wash something that’s just going to get dirty again tomorrow. Sometimes i just put em in totes as is until next year.

I was actually wondering if my natural scent would be better than laundry detergent, I guess. I like your approach!

 

[AshleyWY]

I wash my stuff sparingly.

If it's sweaty or bloody, it gets washed. Minor day to day use doesn't warrant a wash for me.

I try to buy detergent without UV brighteners. It's usually some sort of "baby" unscented, etcetera. Most Free&Clear detergents still have the brighteners.

Thanks for the help and insight!

 

[JMundy84]

My stuff usually gets washed once a year unless it gets a real funk going on or gets bloody and I usually use dead down wind detergent

 

[JamieLee]

I wash the outer shell every couple weeks unless it gets real muddy or bloody.

 

[AshleyWY]

My stuff usually gets washed once a year unless it gets a real funk going on or gets bloody and I usually use dead down wind detergent

This sounds good to me!

 

[AshleyWY]

I wash the outer shell every couple weeks unless it gets real muddy or bloody.

This makes sense. Thanks for your response!

 

[Jakeb]

I think you can completely write off trying to be “scent-free” especially to a white tail. I just accept the fact that if an animal is down wind they will smell me. How they react can vary. Non of which has anything to do with how we perceive that we smell.

I’ve had plenty of deer get downwind of me and barely bat an eye 3+ days since my last shower. Same hunt a different deer can loose their mind. If I was using “scent control” I could have easily become a believer watching the deer directly downwind seem completely unbothered.

Some things you can control, some things you can’t. If you accept the fact that an animals nose can’t be beat. You take out any stress you would otherwise be putting into “trying” to be scent free. And you can focus on the important stuff.

As far as longevity of clothing goes, my next to skin gets washed at least at the end of a trip. Daily if I’m at home. With tide or whatever flavor my wife is feeling at the time. Insulation/outer layers will get washed if they are dirty. My heavy whitetail clothing like my fanatic set has never been washed and it’s like 6 years old but it’s only ever really worn while sitting in a tree.

 

[AshleyWY]

I think you can completely write off trying to be “scent-free” especially to a white tail. I just accept the fact that if an animal is down wind they will smell me. How they react can vary. Non of which has anything to do with how we perceive that we smell.

I’ve had plenty of deer get downwind of me and barely bat an eye 3+ days since my last shower. Same hunt a different deer can loose their mind. If I was using “scent control” I could have easily become a believer watching the deer directly downwind seem completely unbothered.

Some things you can control, some things you can’t. If you accept the fact that an animals nose can’t be beat. You take out any stress you would otherwise be putting into “trying” to be scent free. And you can focus on the important stuff.

As far as longevity of clothing goes, my next to skin gets washed at least at the end of a trip. Daily if I’m at home. With tide or whatever flavor my wife is feeling at the time. Insulation/outer layers will get washed if they are dirty. My heavy whitetail clothing like my fanatic set has never been washed and it’s like 6 years old but it’s only ever really worn while sitting in a tree.

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts! Definitely food for thought. Appreciated!

 

[NealS02]

I wash with scent free detergent and let hang on clothesline to dry after 3 or 4 sits with whitetail. Being entirely scent free is not my goal though as I truly believe it to be impossible even with clothing/products claims to the contrary. When I head out west I wash before I leave and when I get home.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I was the outshells a little less to preserve the DWR. I was my clothes in a hunting specific scent free (dead down wind or other) with an extra rinse and line dry them. Commercial detergents, even scent frees can have UV brighteners in them, so I pay a little more for the hunting brands. I store my clothes in plastic tubs that have dried pine boughs in the bottom - usually clippings from last years Xmas tree.

I also use scent free soap and avoid smelly personal care items a few days before a big hunt. Seems to work about as good as anything else until I start to sweat, etc. have been bad breath distance with some critters and not been busted for scent. cant say it is magic, at least it gives me a good starting point.

 

[Szwampdonkey]

I was actually wondering if my natural scent would be better than laundry detergent, I guess. I like your approach!

Oooohhhhhhhhh i gotcha!

No deer HATE your natural scent. Now, i use unscented Tide when i do wash them. It doesn’t help with deer winding me but psychologically i just can’t have my hunting clothes smelling like Spring Lavender scent. That just has to be more offensive to a deers nose imo as it is mine.

 

[Mosby]

I wash my clothes after wearing 2 or 3 days hunting, if I can and then after the season is over and before I put them away. I wash my heavy winter coats, once in a blue moon. I wash my soft shells after the season is over. I never wash my turkey or small game vests. I wash my back packs if they get bloody.

I'm experimenting with new detergents and water proofing right now for some of my hunting clothing. Going to try a Revivex water proof spray on my hard shell rain jackets. Going to try a wash in water repellent on my soft shell jackets and small game pants. Going back to Atsco Sport Wash detergent for anything with Gore-tex or DWR coating. Trying a couple new water proof sprays for boots, tent, tarps etc., too.

I have some older gear I still wear or use a lot and going to try to bring back some of the water repellency that I've washed or worn out over the last few years.