Snowwear picks up dirt and moisture from snow, rain, sweat, etc. If left unattended, its waterproof and breathable properties will decrease, and its comfort and durability will also be compromised. Washing is an essential part of maintaining the functionality of your clothing for a long time. So how often do backcountry guides who work in snowy mountains wash their "work clothes"?
How often should you wash your clothing?
What detergent do you use when doing laundry?
We asked the guides what detergents they use to wash their favorite clothes.
| guide | Washing frequency | Detergent used |
| Satoshi Arakawa | GRANIX mountain guide | Once after the season ends | Grangers |
| Shohei Sasaki | Circle Game Guide Service | Every month during the season | Emaar |
| Tomohiro Sagawa｜COLOR SPORT CLUB | Once before the season begins | Regular laundry detergent |
| Takahiro Ishizawa | IDEHA | Twice a season | Attack Antibacterial EX |
| Toyokazu Nakano | INFIELD | Once after the season ends | STORM |
| Jun Nagai | JURINA mountain service | Every month during the season | Grangers |
| Kazuya Igarashi | Kagura Powder Station | Every month during the season | Neutral detergent |
| Kenichi Minegishi | Kin TouN Backcountry Club | Twice a season | Gentle Breeze Utamaro Soap |
| Makoto Kuroda | Kuroda Mountain Guide Office | Every use | Miyoshi liquid soap |
| Kazuya Furuse | LOCUS GUIDE SERVICE | Twice a season | STORM |
| Ryuta Furuichi | Mountain Guide Coyote | Twice a season | Regular laundry detergent |
| Shinya Nakagawa | Natures | Once after the season ends | STORM |
| Hisataka Tanaka | Nisko Mecca | Once after the season ends | Detergent and water repellent for outdoor wear |
| Riki Nakajima | RIKI JAPOW GUIDE | Grangers | |
| Mariko Sato | Spur Akita mountain guide | Once during the season and once after it ends | Grangers |
Two popular outdoor detergent brands
STORM
Storm is a maintenance brand from the rainy UK that offers cleaning and water-repellent kits specifically for outdoor gear to enhance its performance. They offer cleaning and water-repellent care kits for a variety of outdoor wear, including snowwear, as well as shoes, tents, and leather goods.
Its special feature is the "One Wash Cycle," which allows you to wash your clothes with detergent and water repellent at the same time. This is a great product that saves time and water while restoring the original functionality of your clothes to almost new condition and extending their life. It's really convenient to be able to easily maintain your clothes at home.
This eco-friendly detergent does not contain PFCs (perfluorinated compounds), which cause environmental pollution, and the container is made of aluminum to prevent microplastic pollution. This environmentally friendly feature is also a point that is popular with guides.
Official website: https://e-mot.co.jp/storm/
GRANGERS _
Left) Performance Wash Concentrate 300mL
Middle) Closing Repel 300mL
Right) Closing 2-in-1 Wash & Repel 300mL
Grangers is a sports gear cleaner and water repellent that is popular among athletes and those working in the sports industry. Founded in the UK and with a history spanning over 80 years, the brand still carries out all processes, from research and development to production, entirely within the UK.
Its products are not only suitable for use in harsh natural environments, but are also effective for maintaining everyday items, and are gentle on the environment and the human body. They have also earned the environmentally friendly Bluesign standard. They offer a wide range of products, from clothing and shoes to tents and leather items.
Grangers' water repellent uses a unique acrylic polymer that does not contain fluorocarbons, a product of years of research and development. It offers the water repellency, durability, and breathability previously only possible with water repellents containing fluorocarbons, while also enabling the creation of more environmentally friendly products.
Official website: https://www.caravan-web.com/brand/grangers/