A 3D printed balaclava is printed with dye-sublimation, which means the colour is inside the polyester fibres rather than sitting on top of them. That's why the print doesn't crack or peel – but a hot wash or a tumble dryer can still dull it over time. Here is how we wash ours.
Quick version
- Turn it inside out.
- Wash cold (30 °C / 86 °F max), gentle cycle or by hand.
- Mild detergent, no bleach, no fabric softener.
- Never tumble dry – lay flat or hang in the shade.
- Do not iron, do not dry clean.
Step by step
1. Rinse after every cold day
Breath, sweat and sunscreen collect around the mouth area. A quick rinse under lukewarm water after a ski day stops smells before they start and means you need a full wash far less often.
2. Inside out, in a mesh bag
Turning the hood inside out protects the printed surface from rubbing against zippers and buttons. A laundry mesh bag is a cheap extra insurance if you wash it with other clothes.
3. Cold and gentle
Heat is the only real enemy of a sublimation print. Use the coldest, gentlest programme your machine has, or hand wash in a sink with a little mild detergent. Skip fabric softener – it coats the fibres and reduces breathability.
4. Dry flat
Squeeze out the water (don't wring), reshape the hood and lay it flat or hang it on a line out of direct sun. The thin stretch fabric is usually dry in a couple of hours. A dryer can shrink the fabric and fade the colours, so keep it out.
How often should I wash it?
For daily commuting, once a week is plenty. For sport, rinse after each use and wash fully every 3–5 sessions. Between washes, hang it somewhere airy instead of leaving it in a bag or helmet.
Does the same apply to HeatWave?
Yes. The thermochromic fabric of our HeatWave balaclavas is even more heat-sensitive, so cold water and no dryer are essential. The colour-change effect comes back every time it cools down.
Looking for a new design? Browse all ClavaCo balaclavas – free shipping on every order.