Caring for Your Schoffel Country Clothing
20th August 2024 by Owen Price
Caring for Your Schöffel Favorites
Schoffel clothing, established in 1804, has been a beloved choice for countryside enthusiasts across generations. Marrying classic country style with the latest technology, Schoffel garments are designed to last for years. Like any lasting relationship, your Schöffel favourites require love and care. Here’s your guide to caring for them, with tips on washing, drying, and re-proofing.
- Chapel Porth Rugby Shirt - Vintage Navy -
General Care Tips for Schoffel Garments
- Avoid using fabric conditioner or biological detergent on waterproof items.
- Regularly re-proof outer fabrics made of functional, waterproof fibres like Venturi® or GORE-TEX®.
- Always check the care labels on your Schöffel garments for specific washing instructions.
- It's better to wash your garments more frequently with a small amount of non-biological detergent than to wash them infrequently with a lot of detergent, especially for waterproof clothing.
How to Care for Schöffel Fleece Fabric
Schoffel fleece gilets (including the iconic Oakham (men's) and Lyndon (women's) designs) and fleece jackets for men and women are made from machine-washable, fast-drying fleece, providing warmth without weight and easy care. With proper care, their premium technical fleece will last longer.
Washing a Fleece Schoffel Gilet or Jacket:
- Close all zips, fastenings, and studs before washing. Turn the fleece inside out.
- Use mild washing powder, ideally designed for membrane clothing (available in specialist sports shops). Avoid fabric softener.
- Machine wash separately at 30°C.
Drying Schoffel Fleece:
- Schoffel fleeces are fast drying and should be left to dry naturally. Do not tumble dry.
- Never iron gilets made from technical fleece. These garments don’t easily crease and usually dry without wrinkles when laid flat.
- Once dry, store your fleece flat.
- Special Care for Schoffel Merino/Cashmere and Lambswool Gilets
Schoffel offers a Ladies Orkney Merino Gilet made from 100% Merino wool and a Tain Lambswool Jumper made from pure lambswool. These country clothes should be machine-washed cold on a delicate setting (30°C max). Turn them inside out before washing.
- Reshape the garment while damp and dry flat, away from direct heat and sunlight.
How to Remove Stains from Fleece
For stubborn stains on the fleece, Schöffel recommends using liquid gall soap. Rub the soap into heavily soiled areas and leave it to work briefly before washing. Avoid commercial stain removers, as they may contain chlorine or oxygen bleach, which could damage the fleece.
How to Care for Schoffel Shooting Wear
Schoffel’s shooting jackets, waistcoats, and trousers are designed to be easy to clean and maintain. Many garments are machine washable and quick drying, ideal for outdoor activities where clothes can easily get muddy or wet.
- Ptarmigan Ladies Tweed Hunting Coat -
Washing a Schoffel Jacket:
- Brush off loose dirt or mud before washing.
- Close all zips and fastenings and turn the garment inside out.
- Use a small amount of water-based laundry liquid specifically for waterproof clothing, such as Nikwax Tech Wash®. Avoid general-purpose or biological detergents, as they can damage waterproof properties.
- Never use fabric softener or chlorine bleach. Always read and follow the care label instructions.
- Machine wash at 30°C, spin briefly on the gentlest setting, and dry naturally in a warm room, away from direct heat sources.
Removing Stubborn Stains:
- For heavy soiling, use liquid gall soap on the stain before washing. Avoid commercial stain removers that contain chlorine or bleach.
- Ptarmigan Tweed Classic Coat - Loden Green Herringbone Tweed -
How to Reproof Waterproof Clothing
Schöffel’s Ptarmigan shooting jackets and many of their over-trousers offer 100% waterproof protection, thanks to GORE-TEX® and Venturi® fabrics. Regular and correct garment care helps maintain the durability of these waterproof membranes.
Reactivating Waterproof Properties:
- If care label instructions permit, tumble dry your waterproof garment on low heat to reactivate its waterproofing. Alternatively, iron the dried garment in a gentle setting (warm, no steam) with a clean towel or cloth between the garment and the iron.
Renewing Waterproof Treatment:
- If water starts absorbing rather than repelling, renew the waterproofing with a specialist, silicone-free waterproof agent like Nikwax® Wash-In-Waterproofing or TX.Direct® Tech Wash. Do this regularly or after every 2-3 washes.
^Side-by-side comparison of Nikwax Tech Wash effects^
Caring for Schöffel Down-Filled Gilets and Coats
Schoffel down-filled coats and gilets for men and women are machine washable and provide excellent warmth in cold weather, like the Mayfair II Down Coat for women or the Bowden Down Gilet for men.
Washing Down-Filled Schöffel Clothing:
- Close all zips and fastenings and turn the garment inside out.
- Carefully follow the care instructions, especially for items with leather zip pullers that need to be removed before washing.
- Use a mild detergent, ideally a special detergent for waterproof clothing.
- Machine wash on a delicate setting at a maximum of 30°C. Avoid fabric softener.
Drying Down-Filled Schöffel Clothing:
- Tumble dry on low heat. Halfway through, take the garment out, shake it, and return it to the dryer.
- Always use the gentlest tumble dry setting. Do not iron down-filled coats or gilets.
- Caring for Schöffel Knitwear
Schoffel knitwear is made from fine quality merino wool, lambswool, cashmere, and cotton.
Washing and Drying Merino Wool and Lambswool:
- Turn the garment inside out before washing. Machine wash cold on a delicate setting.
- Reshape while damp and dry flat, away from direct heat and sunlight.
Washing and Drying Cashmere and Cotton:
- Hand wash in cool water if possible, or machine wash cold on a delicate setting.
- Do not wring when wet. Gently reshape the jumper while damp and dry flat.
Ironing Schöffel Knitwear:
- Use a low heat setting and place a clean cloth between the knitwear and the iron to protect the fabric.
Removing Bobbles from Knitwear:
- Bobbling is natural with knitwear. Remove bobbles with a bobble shaver, using light, short strokes.
Storing Schoffel Knitwear:
- Store knitwear flat to avoid stretching, especially at the shoulders. Use special knitwear hangers if hanging is necessary.
- Wash knitwear before storing to prevent moths. Use lavender sachets or cedar balls to keep moths away.
- Pateley Jumper in Cedar Green -
Caring for Schöffel Shirts
Schoffel shirts for men and women are all machine washable, making them easy to care for and perfect for an outdoor lifestyle.
Washing Schoffel Shirts:
- Simply machine wash your Schöffel shirt as needed.
Drying Schoffel Shirts:
- Tumble dry on low heat.
Ironing Schoffel Shirts:
- Use a low heat setting if ironing is needed. Some Schoffel shirts have an easy-iron finish, making care even simpler.
