PRODUCT CARE GUIDE

All of our products are designed to provide exceptional weather protection and breathability to keep you in the mountains longer.
While many people worry about cleaning their technical clothing, it is important to keep on top of product care. But, to help ensure you get the most from your gear and to help keep it performing even longer, we put together some simple routine product care and maintenance tips.

WHY SHOULD I WASH MY KIT?
There are three main pitfalls to not washing your OMM garments:
- Reduced performance: A build-up of dirt and other surface contaminants such as body oil, salt, sunscreen and sweat can reduce the effectiveness of the textile’s durable water-repellent (DWR) treatment, affecting performance and breathability. Dirt also allows water molecules to be drawn into the face fabric, saturating or ‘wetting out’ the fabric and leading to increased levels of condensation on the inside of the garment.
- Maintain visible wear and tear: Oils can have a degrading effect on the fabrics and treatments while salt and debris can act to abrade membranes and fibres over time. Properly washing your OMM product removes dirt and other contaminants from the garment, restoring its water-repellency and breathability
- Plus, they might be a bit smelly if you don’t.
HOW DO I PREPARE MY GARMENTS FOR WASHING?
Before you get started with washing any of your gear, you’ll want to brush off any excess mud or dirt, close the main zippers, open pocket zippers, and release tension on all elastic drawcords.
HOW DO I WASH MY OMM CLOTHING (e.g., Tee’s, leggings and shorts)?
While you can wash your OMM (non-technical) clothing in a regular wash with detergent, we would recommend using a wash that’s designed for activewear (e.g., Granger’s Active Wash) because it is more likely to be able to handle the bacteria that leads to smelly kit, whilst still being gentle enough to protect nylon and lycra fabrics.
HOW DO I WASH MY OMM TECHNICAL WATERPROOFS? (E.G., KAMLEIKA, HALO, AETHER)
For any technical waterproofs, including Kamleika, Halo, Aether or any others from our range, we ONLY recommend using a cleaning agent made specifically for performance fabrics.
There are several brands on the market which you can find in your local outdoor store. We recommend Grangers Performance Wash. These specialist washing agents are designed to be gentle and to rinse completely. Detergent residues can contaminate and impair the function of the membrane fabric and its water-repellency treatment. When using washes specific to outdoor apparel, simply follow the instructions. Make sure to clean your machine’s detergent drawer of any residual detergents. Conventional detergents contain fragrances, colorants, optical brighteners, enzymes, surfactants and fabric softeners that will hamper garment function and potentially cause damage.
For more, head to our Youtube Channel.
HOW TO RE-WATERPROOF YOUR KIT
The DWR or durable water repellent coating is a polymer applied to the face fabric of a garment. When the garment is not shedding water like it used to, even after it’s been washed and dried, it’s time to reapply the DWR.
We recommend using Grangers Performance Repel. After washing, close all zippers, hang the wet garment on a hanger and spray DWR evenly and generously onto the wet face fabric of the garment, concentrating on areas of high wear such as the waist, shoulders and sleeves.
Next, place the garment in a tumble drier on a low heat setting (~30°C /104°F) for up to 15 minutes, not to dry it completely but to gently apply heat. If you do not have a tumble dryer, hang the garment somewhere warm such as above a radiator (though not on or in contact with). The application of heat helps bond the chemical treatment to the fibres.
You may also want to re-proof your garment by using a wash-in treatment. 2-in-1 Wash & Proof are also a good option if you find you are washing and proofing regularly, perhaps if training solidly over winter or for outdoor professionals who spend every day in their waterproofs!
For more, head to our Youtube Channel.
HOW ARE NEW PFC-FREE GARMENTS DIFFERENT TO CARE FOR?
At OMM, we have shifted our garments away from using harmful PFC water-repellent treatments to more environmentally friendly PFC-Free ones (you can check if you have a PFC-Free garment by looking at the care label on your jacket). One of the things that made PFCs so useful was their durability but what makes for a good water-resistant treatment is what makes it so damaging to the environment.
For this reason, the new generation of waterproofing technologies will require a little more frequent care and attention in order to perform at the same level. Luckily, this is easily achieved with regular washing and reproofing. We recommend re-waterproofing your PFC-Free garment every 1-2 months of regular use.
To read more about the move to PFC-Free – Click here
WHEN DO I WASH MY OMM GARMENT?
When to wash depends on how often you use your garment. For heavy activity, we suggest washing after every 10 to 12 days of use, and for light activity, wash every 20 to 30 days of use. Use your best judgment. If your garment looks dirty, if you are starting to feel damp or clammy, or if your garment is no longer shedding water and is wetting out, it’s time to wash it. Take care of your gear and it will take care of you.
HOW DO I WASH MY INSULATED GARMENT?
We strongly recommend washing your insulated jacket in a FRONT LOADING washing machine. Select the gentle cycle with a two-rinse setting and a wash temperature of 30°C / 86°F. Tumble dry your garment inside out on a medium (60°C/140°F) temperature setting for approximately 15-20 minutes then air dry. To remove stubborn stains, first, spot clean the stained area with Grangers Performance Wash, allowing the stained area to soak for 10-15 min, or use a stain eraser on the contaminated area. Then wash and dry the garment as per the instructions given above.
HOW DO I WASH MY CORE GARMENT?
You can wash your core garment in the washing machine with your regular clothes, however, be wary of other garments with velcro or sharp components such as jeans buttons, metal-toothed zips etc. as these can snag the fabric. In this case, it’s best to put the Core garment inside a mesh laundry bag (for delicates and sportswear). Always turn the garment inside out for washing. It’s best to wash it with other soft clothes and sportswear if possible.
Choose a wash temperature of 30°C or lower. You can use your regular laundry detergent or a tech-wash, but do not use fabric softeners or fragrance boosters. Core garments are safe to use with antibacterial laundry sterilising fluid (follow the product instructions for dosing). The garment will be almost dry after the spin cycle, so it’s best to dry naturally. However, if you choose to tumble dry, you can do so on a low heat setting and remove when still very slightly damp.
HOW DO I WASH MY PACK?
The best way to wash your pack is simply with water. You can either rub the dirt off with your hands or else you can scrub the pack with a soft brush. You should be able to get most of the dirt off this way. If you feel that you need to use soap, use a mild or pure soap or else an outdoor wash such as Grangers Performance Wash and rinse the pack thoroughly to remove any residue. Hang the pack to dry (don’t use a dryer or any other source of heat). If you hang the pack outside, leave it in the shade. It should dry overnight, but it might take longer depending on the climate. Remove the back pad before washing to speed up drying time.

If you are unsure of any care requirements or have any further questions, we’d love to help!
Contact our customer service team:
PHONE: 07483 031918
EMAIL: support@theomm.com
LOCATION: The OMM Centre, Lancaster, LA1 3PE
