Always check the care label and follow the instructions there as they might be specific to that item. However, here are a few general guidelines on how to wash waterproof gear - these are not meant to replace the instructions on the care label. 

Before washing your garment, make sure to cover all these pre-procedures:

– Make sure you zip up all zippers to avoid any surface damage.

– Loosen any tightened cords.

– Open the hood if the jacket has a hidden hood.

– Wash your product with the correct water temperature and program as instructed on the care label.

– For waterproof gear, do not use standard commercial detergents. Please use Tech Wash. Tech Wash is a detergent made for waterproof products and helps preserve the functionality better than standard powder and liquid detergents. 

– Do not use fabric softeners or detergents that have softening agents, as these will reduce the fabric surface tension and will have a negative effect on the fabric performance.

– HH® advises to use a technical washing product and to follow the instructions given by that product.

– In cases where no technical washing products exist, and you only have the option of normal washing products, one can wash using very little liquid washing product with no additives (without perfume, foam or softener). A second rinse cycle with water is preferred to remove any detergents that might be left behind on the surface. It is important to remove excess detergent, as it might affect the performance of the fabric.

– After washing, you can safely tumble dry your water proof gear in order to re-activate the DWR treatment. Please always follow the garment care label for drying instructions.

It might not be that obvious when you should consider washing your garments, so here are a couple of signs to look for:

– If the water and/or rain droplets no longer bead off the surface of the jacket and start leaving a wet mark, the DWR (durable water repellency) might be worn off or deactivated.

– If the breathability does not seem to be on the same level as when you first bought your Helly Tech® garment. The fabric could be contaminated.

It is important to wash your waterproof garment whenever needed. Washing your garments will remove contaminating substances such as oils, dirt and salts from the surface and restore the surface tension of the fabric, keeping it clean and dry which in return help the membrane perform at its best.

In general, all textile production from raw materials, fiber production, yarn spinning, fabric manufacturing, wet treatment, drying/ finishing, garment making and transportation is very dependent on the use of chemicals. Throughout the production processes, there are many chemicals that can be used to either to impart a function or finish on the fabric (e.g. colorant, stabilizers, DWR treatment) or to assist the making and finishing process (e.g. solvent, catalysts, lubricants, needle oils etc.), other chemical can also accidently occur.

No matter the level, we control and monitor the chemicals we use in our supply chain via bluesign partnership and a risk based chemical management process.

Since 2008 we have been members of bluesign® – a widely recognized and independent system that acts as a global guiding tool for the entire textile industry’s value chain. The process starts from the ground up, and it’s not about testing finished products, but rather ensuring that the process is done right all the way from its first stage. All components from chemistry applied with raw materials and dye stuff, to textile manufacturers, should meet the criterias set by bluesign®. The goal is to ensure that products are produced using best practice when it comes to chemical management and that they pose no health hazards.

It is important to us to use low impact materials, therefore recycled polyester and recycled polyamide are both part of our portfolio. As of 2023, Helly Hansen is GRS (Global Recycled Standard) and RCS (Recycled Claim Standard) certified. This means that we are able to certify certain products as long as we are able to prove a full chain of custody.

We do not recycle garments, but we are working on using as many recycled materials as possible and creating recyclable products. With proper care, our garments should last a long time, and when you're done using your gear, we recommend donating or repairing when possible. While the global infrastructure for recycling is still in development, we are continuing to explore, innovate, and do our part in supporting a circular economy. In Europe, more and more countries are starting to collect textiles separately, and material identification technology is advancing.

Yes, Helly Hansen only source from producers who treat their animals with respect and dignity. This includes no force-feeding, no live-plucking, and no mulesing. The animals should be treated responsibly, and to ensure their welfare, we require that all our suppliers of wool, down, and leather, apply to our Code of Conduct. 100% of the down we use is fully traceable and RDS-certified, we have phased out real fur, all our merino wool is ZQ certified, and we are not using leather in apparel, just accessories and shoes.

Yes. To ensure that no birds are harmed in the making of our products, 100% of the down we use is fully traceable and RDS-certified.

Not all DWRs are created equal. Historically, most DWRs employed a long-chain (C8) fluorocarbon-based treatment whose by-products are toxic for the environment. The PFCs in DWR are both bad for the environment but also high performing (very waterproof). So, we are constantly working to create waterproof/breathable gear with limited use of DWR treatments. Some of our DWRs are C0, which means that they are PFC free and better for the environment. We are also introducing a new technology for our FW20 Collection that is waterproof/breathable without the use of DWR treatment. We will continue to innovate our technologies in order to minimize our negative impact on the environment.

We use 100% mulesing-free Merino wool and all our merino wool is ZQ or RWS certified.