LETMGROW Posted October 28, 2006 Report Share Posted October 28, 2006 The other night I decided it was time to wash my Scentloc and other hunting clothes. I use our regular washer but do a little prep work first. The first thing I do is to remove the fabric softener dispenser entirely from the machine. Don't want or need any brighteners. Next I set the water to hot wash and warm rinse. I use the largest capacity settings, add a capful of " Sportwash " and let the machine go through a complete cycle completly empty. This assures me the washer is clean and any soap or softener residue from previous washings is gone. When I wash hunting clothes I use " Sportwash " on the highest capacity settings even though I only wash about a half load at a time. I usually start washing jeans, shirts and other inner clothing in the first loads and finish up with outer clothing last. This way I am helping guarantee there is no softener getting onto the clothes most exposed to wildlife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andrea Posted October 28, 2006 Report Share Posted October 28, 2006 Re: Washing Hunting Clothes Sounds like a good plan!!! You put your clothes in a scent-lok bag afterwards? Do you add wafers or scented ( pine or earth) dryer sheets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTbowman Posted October 28, 2006 Report Share Posted October 28, 2006 Re: Washing Hunting Clothes Thats basically what I do too but I also boil some water to rinse the opening, lid, agitator top where the fabric softener dispenser was attached, bleach additive dispenser, etc... with the boiling water before running the 1st empty load to get surface areas not really washed by a normal cycle. After that every stitch of clothing goes out side for a couple weeks (pre season) to get rained on and air dried before they get bagged up. I RARELY put any camo or hunting clothing in the dryer. It keeps them for being broken down and faded like regular clothes get. (over time) Unless it rains good on them and I need them the next day of coarse... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HaDeRonDa Posted October 28, 2006 Report Share Posted October 28, 2006 Re: Washing Hunting Clothes Great method here! I basically do the same but without any detergent at all. Detergent is great for getting grease and grime out, whatever that is but human stink and the basic dirty hunting clothes clean up nicely with just hot water and more hot water. If you really are a stinky guy, and I know that some of you are, LMBO, you will need a detergent to get the funk out of them hunting clothes. Sportwash or scent free Arm and Hammer works fine. Get the one with no UV brighteners unless you are trying ot be a fashion model for deer and you want to show up as if you are walking down the "runway" LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted October 28, 2006 Report Share Posted October 28, 2006 Re: Washing Hunting Clothes I agree rain washing and air drying is what I use to help keep my clothes scent free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted October 28, 2006 Report Share Posted October 28, 2006 Re: Washing Hunting Clothes [ QUOTE ] The other night I decided it was time to wash my Scentloc and other hunting clothes. I use our regular washer but do a little prep work first. The first thing I do is to remove the fabric softener dispenser entirely from the machine. Don't want or need any brighteners. Next I set the water to hot wash and warm rinse. I use the largest capacity settings, add a capful of " Sportwash " and let the machine go through a complete cycle completly empty. This assures me the washer is clean and any soap or softener residue from previous washings is gone. When I wash hunting clothes I use " Sportwash " on the highest capacity settings even though I only wash about a half load at a time. I usually start washing jeans, shirts and other inner clothing in the first loads and finish up with outer clothing last. This way I am helping guarantee there is no softener getting onto the clothes most exposed to wildlife. [/ QUOTE ] I do this also. I also let them air dry outside, but in a pinch, run a cycle with the dryer empty and an earth scented sheet in to rid it of any other unwanted odors. Now...I am going to say it again like I do every year , I always am concerned that although I use the scent free or earth scented sport wash, my clothes are then rinsed in chlorinated town water that pours in for the rinse cycle. Does anyone else worry about this or is it just me? I do let them hang outside and used scent blockers and sprays constantly, but I always wonder about the last rinse cycle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted October 29, 2006 Report Share Posted October 29, 2006 Re: Washing Hunting Clothes Glad you guys are doing what works for you I hunt in an area that has alot of Spruce trees. The closest tree to the Maple my stand is in is a Spruce. The wind as some of you know in central NY has not been real consistent and has been switching directions alot while I'm in my treestand. I geuss my method of washing, and drying my clothes, has been working having seen over 43 deer from that stand all at one time or another they were within 43 yds...some alot closer than that!!! I run the washing machine full of water and start the wash cycle...then add 1/2 cup of PINE SOL. I let it run for a short time then open the lid and add the clothes, hats, gloves...everything I'll be wearing including the Union Suit!!! I allow it to run the complete cycle(including city water rinse) then they get thrown in the Dryer. The only thing that does go into the dryer, but gets pulled out after a short time to air dry, is the coveralls that have a few sneaky leaf's sewn on the legs and outter arms. LOL...I geuss if I did everything that you guys do I could have seen maybe 44 deer??? I can smell the Pine like scent coming from the nearby spruce tree. I can pull my clothes out in the morning or afternoon before a hunt and they smell like what is in the breeze while I'm in my treestand. Of the 43 deer that have been seen from the stands I've had in the same area I could have killed all 43 of them with a rifle...about 35 of them with a Bow. Probably at least half of them came in from or at some time was downwind of me. I dont know...You think they were bothered by my scent control regimen???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ousoonerfan22 Posted October 29, 2006 Report Share Posted October 29, 2006 Re: Washing Hunting Clothes I wash mine in cold water with baking soda then hang them in a tree to dry,when my dad's not burning brushpiles. I then store them in plastic bags with earth scent wafers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted October 29, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2006 Re: Washing Hunting Clothes I do put my Scent loc clothing in the dryer as this is what activates the charcoal in the liner. I keep tags on all hunting clothes I buy so I can identify which ones are safe to dry in a dryer. We do have scent proof bags, but I generally store clothes by hanging them in my cellar which is quite scent free, except for a couple air freshners which give off an apple scent. I don't believe in the Baking soda wash. If you think about it, baking soda is often used in refrigerators to absorb scent. That is why I opt to use a commercial product designed for the purpose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 Re: Washing Hunting Clothes Ours get washed with sportswash or a comparable product. I do not really do that type of prep work, but will run two or three loads of regular clothes through the machine without fabric softener like jeans before washing any hunting clothes. Let the clothes air dry when I can, but sometimes have to run it through the dryer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigmoss Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 Re: Washing Hunting Clothes Scent Blocker clothes wash with cold water and air dry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BigAl1781 Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 Re: Washing Hunting Clothes i wash mine with sport wash and hang them outside for a couple of days b4 i wear them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted October 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2006 Re: Washing Hunting Clothes In my original post I forgot to mention I always turn my camo clothing inside out before washing them. This helps the color stay fast and doesn't let the clothing rub the color sides together. I was hoping a Rep. from Realtree might see this thread and offer his or her suggestions. Any ideas on how to get them to respond? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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