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Are you’re a hunting enthusiast? Then you know the importance of keeping your hunting clothes clean! Whether you are a big game hunter or a small game hunter, your hunting clothes will play an essential role in your quality hunt.
Therefore, not only does this article focus on how to wash hunting clothes, but also how not to!
Why Should You Wash Hunting Clothes?
As you head outdoors to hunt, you might want to think about what your hunting clothes look like. You probably already know that your clothes are dirty when you come back from the field, but did you know that excess dirt can cause health problems?
It is essential to take the time and care to wash hunting clothes because they can be earth or soil-stained. Additionally, if you have a pet or children in the house with allergies, it is best practice to wash your clothing.
If left in your hunting clothes for too long, insects and bacteria from the environment can get on your clothes and then on to the food. Even if you wash them at home before using them again, they still need a thorough rinse to remove any contamination from their surface.
More: 5 Best Winter Hunting Boots
Avoid Scented Detergents
The sense of smell is an essential tool for animals when it comes to survival. The olfactory sense is a fantastic sensation that we don’t fully understand the power of. It’s the sense that allows animals to perceive smells.
Detergents are necessary for keeping fabrics clean but sometimes can interfere with hunting. To avoid the potential stench of detergent, hunters should use unscented detergents. The use of scented detergents can be harmful to hunt clothes because it could harm your hunting game.
Hunting is a sport that involves tracking prey and waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. Because of this, it’s essential to make sure that the gear you are wearing is odorless and doesn’t have any strong scents.
Avoid scented detergents for hunting clothes because they can reveal your scent to the prey. They will let you know of your presence long before you get close enough for a hunt. Aside from that, these detergents can also mask human scent by covering it up with their own.
Pick a Scent Free Detergent
Hunters should thoroughly clean their garments in order to reduce the chances of trapping scents that game animals might track. The most common cleaners to use are detergents without chromium or UV brighteners.
Many natural, sustainable, or environment-friendly detergents do not contain brighteners, but some do. Don’t be fooled by the label! For the safest options, stick to list each ingredient on their labels.
People often skip the labels in the store and don’t know how to use the product they just bought. There are many vital ingredients listed on detergent labels, and it is important to read them before you buy.
In addition, some detergents leave residue on your clothing which can be detected in certain types of vision tools, so you might want to think about the safety of your troops before buying and relying on this type of product.
Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is a great natural way to cleanse your hunting clothes. It is also an effective deodorizer that can take away any bad smells. You can add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the washing machine when you are ready to clean your clothes.
You will want to avoid using bleach as it can weaken the fabric, making it less durable and less able to keep you warm in cold weather conditions.
In fact, most commercial bleaches are not good for clothing at all and can actually cause them to deteriorate over time.
If you have blood or other bodily fluids on your clothing, do not wash them with regular detergent!
This could contaminate other clothing in the machine and might be dangerous for other people in the house. Instead, use a detergent that is specifically designed to clean and disinfect blood and other bodily fluids.
It is important to properly wash your hunting clothes in order to protect yourself and the environment. Taking these simple steps will ensure that you are able to enjoy your next hunting season safely.
Laundry Techniques for Hunting Clothes
As successful hunters, we need to keep our hunting clothes clean and fresh for the next hunt. This means washing them every time they get dirty.
Many other things require your attention while you are ready to do laundry of your hunting clothes.
- Clean your washing machine or dryer, which includes any scented detergent, before washing your hunting outfit with a good detergent. Yup! You need to do double-cleansing.
- Hand washing hunting clothes in a sink is an effective way to reduce the spread of bacteria and grime. You can use a large utility sink or bucket isolated from family usage.
- Drying clothes outside is a healthy and natural way to dry them. People can spend a lot of time laying out clothes to dry on an outdoor line. It makes for an excellent summer activity in the sun. Many ways are effective at drying your clothes without using electricity. You can air dry in an open area or use a drying rack inside when it’s rainy.
- Use baking soda (approximately 115 g) for the final rinse water every time you wash your hunting clothes. By using baking soda water, you can eliminate odors. If you have stinky clothes, just mix together a few tablespoons of baking soda with a bucket of water and leave it overnight. The next day, when you rinse off the water and dry it out, the smell will be gone!
- You’re often advised to wash your clothes regularly to remove any bacteria or signs of body odor to build within the fiber of your clothes.
- Keep hunting clothes sealed up until you’re ready to use them – this will help preserve the freshness and keep any environmental fragrance from ruining your hunt.
- Please do not wear while pumping gas, eating, drinking, or driving. It’s best not to transfer scent by touching other garments, so please ensure you have gloves when handling them.
- Once completely dry, keep your hunting clothes inside an airtight plastic bag or container to prevent any odor from affecting the fabric and keep them clean longer.
- Wash your sleeping bag and other camping gear with the same types of unscented detergents & washing techniques because they will also be with you in the woods.
- Don’t put fabric softener or dryer sheets inside your hunting gear. They’ll cause significant damage, and they may prevent your equipment from staying unscented so your prey will be on alert.
- Get rid of your unwanted body odor. Use scent free shampoo and body wash to help kill any undesirable bacteria or viruses on your skin before you set out for a successful hunt in treacherous terrain with wild animals.
- You should never wear your hunting clothes before arriving at the hunting area. Common things like eating, drinking, and smoking can transfer odor onto your clothes. Always wear gloves when handling hunting clothes, so you do not transfer scent.
- You should never leave hunting clothes in sight or within reach of animals. The slightest scent can give away your location and cause the animal to run off.
- Make sure you have a clean, dry set of hunting clothes available for the drive home, so you don’t bring any unwanted odors back with you.
- You should use an ozone locker or an airtight bag to store hunting clothes when not in use. These lockers use an ozone generator to purify and eliminate undesirable odors.
- If you freeze hunting clothes, it helps to keep them scentless so the prey won’t detect any human presence. This is a common trick used by hunters in winter conditions when the surrounding area is covered with snow and ice.
- Make sure you clean all scents off your boots and other gear with a degreaser before you start your hunt.
- You can also make a cover scent by mixing one part apple cider vinegar with four parts water in a spray bottle. This will help to mask any human smells on you and your hunting clothes.
- Properly washing your hunting clothes is essential for keeping you safe and preventing any environmental damage.
- Remember to clean the lint trap after every use to keep your clothes dryer running efficiently. Get rid of lint build-up periodically by placing a damp rag in the lint trap and running the dryer on high heat.
More: 5 Best Rated Hunting Knife Sets Available On Amazon
Final Words
The sense of smell plays a crucial role in the survival of many animals. They can sniff out food, predators, prey, and many other things that they need to stay alive. Unfortunately, there isn’t one specific answer on how animals can do this so quickly.
Some believe they have a heightened sense of smell. In contrast, others believe there is another explanation as they still can’t comprehend why it happens so quickly.
Animals have a better sense of smell than humans, and they can use it to find food more effectively and avoid danger.
This includes their ability to detect human predators. In addition, the information gathered by animals through their enhanced scent is analyzed by their brains much faster than that of humans, allowing them to perceive the world in a way that we never will be able to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why shouldn’t I use scented laundry detergent when washing my hunting clothes?
Scented laundry detergent can contaminate your hunting clothes and gear with an artificial smell that might mask any human scent on you. This could potentially cause animals to investigate you or stay away from the area you’re hunting in.
Should I wash first my new hunting clothes?
Before using them, you should wash new clothes first to remove the chemicals and any excess dyes used during the manufacturing process.
Will washing my hunting clothes with a laundry detergent ruin my scent?
The ingredients in some laundry detergents have been known to ruin the hunter’s scent. It is best to use unscented, dye-free detergent to ensure you don’t ruin your natural smell.
Is a hot water cycle better for washing hunting clothes?
No. The hot cycle isn’t going to do anything to clean your hunting clothing better than a cold water cycle. In fact, the hot water cycle can actually work against you if you mix in too much detergent.
It will make it too frothy and cause a film over your clothing, making it difficult for the scent to dissipate. You can use a scent killer to remove all scents from the clothes
Can I use a fabric softener when washing my hunting clothes?
No. A fabric softener will coat your clothing with a layer of chemicals that will inhibit its ability to absorb any new smells.
You should avoid using any type of scented detergent or fabric softener to make your hunting clothes scent free. You can use white vinegar as a fabric softener. It’s safe to use, and it’s good for scent control.
Can I put my hunting clothes in the dryer?
No. The heat from the dryer can cause your hunting clothes to become brittle and damage the fibers. It’s best to air dry them outside or use a drying rack inside if it’s raining.
What is the best way to store my hunting clothes?
Hunting clothes should be stored in an airtight container or bag. This will keep the hunting clothes fresh and prevent anything else in your house from smelling like them.
If you’re storing something which smells like your hunting clothes, it can cause your hunt to be unsuccessful as animals can detect that scent thanks to their sense of smell.
How do I get rid of stubborn stains on my hunting clothes?
Take the item of clothing which has a stain on it to an area where you can clean them. Mix up some water and detergent, so it makes a soapy solution.
Use your hands to scrape off the bigger parts that are stuck to the clothing by rubbing them against one another. Soak it in this for thirty minutes. Then, rinse the garment under warm water to get rid of any soap residue.
What is the best way to wash my rubber boots?
The best way to wash them is by mixing up a soapy solution of water and detergent in a container. Dip the boots in and use your hands to rub them against each other to clean them. Take them out and let the excess water drip off.
Repeat this process until the dirt is gone. If there’s still some mud on them, you can use a stiff brush to scrub it off. Once they’re clean, let them air dry.
