As the temperatures rise and we start to dig out our summer sports equipment, it’s important to take a few minutes to clean and store your winter gear properly. Not only will this save you time and money in the long run, it’ll keep your gear performing great for years to come.
Skis and Snowboards – The bases of your skis and boards should be cleaned and waxed before you place them into storage. Often, the wax you started the season with is long gone come spring, leaving your bases dry and unprotected. Left in this condition, summer storage only make the problem worse.
Cleaning is best done using the hot wax and scrape method. Using a high temperature wax or base prep, iron in the wax and scrape while the wax is still warm. This will remove
any dirt and grime far more effectively without damaging or clogging the base than heavy cleaners such as WD-40, Simple Green, etc. After cleaning, apply another coat of wax and leave it on the base without scraping for storage. This protects the base from drying out and other damage that may occur during the months of nonuse.
Click
HERE to learn more about our summer wax special. This month only, it’s $10, and if you’d like, we’ll even store your gear for you in our cozy downtown Wausau, WI maintenance center over the summer.
Snowshoes and Ice Skates – As with skis & snowboards, you’ll want to wipe down your other winter equipment before putting it away for the summer months. Storing your shoes & skates indoors in the summer will prevent the metals from rusting & will keep the plastics in their original form. It’s best to keep these items off the floor too (especially if we’re talking about a garage!) to prevent moisture damage.
Winter Apparel– Your jackets & pants will last their longest & look their best if they are cared for properly. While we suggest washing your jacket throughout the year too, you’ll definitely want to clean it up before storing it for the summer. Washing your outdoor clothing with harsh detergents such as Tide or All can damage the waterproof technologies of the piece. The same qualities that make these detergents hard on stains make them hard on quality outdoor apparel. Shep’s sells Nikwax, a detergent specifically designed to clean apparel without damaging their DWR (durable water repellant)
coating or clogging the waterproof membranes that live in the quality fabrics. (Always remember to follow the care labels on your jackets & pants when washing!) The same company that makes Tech Wash makes an entire line of fabric care products, including TX Direct, which restores waterproof/breathable coatings on your clothing.
Our staff is always around to answer any questions you may have, including anything about storing your winter toys. Stop in, give us a call, or post your question on our
Facebook page.
