How To Wash Hunting Clothes

It is important for all hunters to know how to wash hunting clothes. In order to exist in the habitats of the wild, animals tend to have the advantage of a heightened sense of smell over their human counterparts; this highlights the importance of knowing how to wash your hunting clothes. Whether you are getting into hunting for the first time or are a seasoned hunter, knowing how you wash your hunting gear can significantly impact the success of the hunt.

To wash hunting clothes, you will need:

• Scent-free laundry detergent
• Scent-free dryer sheets
• A clothes line (optional)
• Clothes pins (optional)

1. Remove any items from the pockets of hunting clothes prior to washing. These items can be destroyed by the process and may cause damage to your hunting clothes.
   
2. Set the washer's settings to hot wash, cold rinse and the appropriate load level. Follow the specific instructions for your machine when applicable.
3. Add scent-free laundry detergent to the washer. Special laundry detergent made specifically for hunting is available that works really well; however, if you’re on a tight budget any store brand of scent-free laundry detergent will do.
4. Add your hunting clothing to the washing machine, being careful not to overload according to the washer settings. If you have a lot of hunting clothes you may need to do multiple loads. Remove your hunting clothes from the washer once all cycles have completed.
5. Hang your hunting clothes on a clothes line outdoors to line dry. Alternatively, you can place your hunting clothes in an empty dryer.
6. Add one or two scent-free dryer sheets to the clothes dryer and dry accordingly. Scent-free dryer sheets are available especially for use with hunting clothes, although those are somewhat pricey. The scent-free dryer sheets available in the grocery store will work just as effectively.

Many hunters who are hunting on consecutive days may choose to wash their hunting clothes after the entire hunt is over due to time and availability of washing and drying equipment. However, human scent builds and becomes amplified in a natural environment; therefore washing hunting clothes after each hunt may prove beneficial.