Caring for your Schӧffel favourites

Founded in 1804, Schöffel clothing has been on the backs (and bottoms!) of countryside lovers for several generations. They bring together in holy matrimony classic country style, and the latest in technology for a country wear love affair that will last for years to come. Like any relationship, you must put in love and care to make it last. So, here is our guide to caring for your Schöffel favourites, featuring tips on everything from washing, drying, and re-proofing. 

General Care Tips for Schöffel Garments

• Never use fabric conditioner or biological detergent when washing waterproof items.
• Regularly re-proof outer fabrics made of functional, waterproof fibres, such as Venturi® or GORE-TEX®.
• Always check the care labels on your Schöffel garments for washing guidance.
• It is better to care for your garments often with a little non-biological detergent rather than rarely with a lot of detergent (especially for waterproof clothing).

How to Care for Schöffel Fleece

Schöffel men’s and women’s fleece gilets and jackets are made from machine washable, fast drying fleece – providing excellent warmth without weight, and the convenience of an easy-care garment. Made with premium technical fleece, all our fleeces last longer with good care.

Washing Schöffel Fleece

• Before washing, close all zips, fastenings and studs. Turn your Schöffel fleece inside out.
• Use mild washing powder, and ideally specifically one for membrane clothing (available in specialist sports shops). Never use fabric softener.
• Machine wash separately at 30°.

Drying Schöffel Fleece

Schöffel fleeces are all fast drying since they are made from technical fabrics and should be left to dry naturally. You should not tumble dry fleeces, and there is no need to due to the quick drying material. Check the care label of your fleece first for drying advice.

• Never iron gilets made from technical premium fleece. Schöffel fleeces do not crease easily and will usually dry without creases when left to dry flat.
• Once dry, Schöffel recommend storing your fleeces flat.

Special Care for Schöffel Merino/Cashmere and Lambswool Gilet

In addition to the technical fleeces, Schöffel offers an Orkney Merino Gilet which is 100% Merino wool, as well as a Lambswool Aerobloc Gilet, made from 100% pure lambswool. These gilets should be machine washed cold, on a max 30° delicate setting. Turn inside out before washing. Reshape whilst damp and allow to dry naturally. Dry flat away from direct heat and sunlight.

How to Remove Stains from Fleece

To remove a stubborn fleece stain, Schöffel suggest using liquid gall soap. Rub the soap into heavily soiled areas and leave to work for a short while before washing. Avoid commercial stain removers, because some contain chlorine or oxygen bleach, which could damage your fleece beyond repair.

Tip: Have a look at our collection of Schöffel Fleece…

How to Care for Schöffel Shooting Wear

Schöffel design easy to clean and maintain shooting jackets, waistcoats and trousers. Many of Schöffel’s shooting garments are completely machine washable and quick drying. This is very convenient when clothes can easily get muddy or wet outdoors. If your shooting jacket gets wet, just make sure to hang it up carefully after use so that it dries without creases.

How do you wash a Schöffel jacket?

When it comes to washing a Schöffel waterproof jacket, it is not simply a case of throwing it into the washing machine. If the wrong temperature, detergent or spin setting is used, it can adversely affect the waterproof properties of your garment. Once dirty, it is best to give your shooting jacket, shooting waistcoat or trousers a light wash, following our top tips:

• First, brush off any loose, dry mud or dirt.
• Close all zips and fastenings and turn your garment inside out.
• Ideally, use a small amount of water-based laundry liquid specifically designed for waterproof or membrane clothing, such as Nikwax Tech Wash®.
• Do not use a general purpose or biological washing detergent, as this can damage the waterproof properties. If you cannot purchase a special waterproof laundry liquid, choose an unscented detergent without brighteners, such as Ecover.
• Never use fabric softener or chlorine bleach.
• Always read the care label advice and wash separately. Do not wash with heavily soiled clothing.
• Machine wash at 30°, spin briefly on the gentlest setting, then dry naturally in a warm room (but still away from direct sources of heat e.g. radiators)

Removing Stubborn Stains from Shooting Clothing

If there is a stubborn mark or heavy soiling on your shooting clothes, Schöffel recommend using liquid gall soap. Rub the soap into the stain and leave to work for a short time, before washing. Do not use commercial stain removers, as they can contain chlorine or bleach which can permanently damage the waterproof membrane.

How to Reproof Waterproof Clothing

The entire range of Schöffel Ptarmigan shooting jackets and most of their over-trousers offer 100% waterproof protection. Waterproof clothing repels dirt and water, and Schöffel applies a waterproof treatment during the manufacturing process where GORE-TEX® is bonded to the outer fabric layers. GORE-TEX® inner linings feature in many styles as well.

Tip: See our collection of Schöffel Ptarmigan shooting jackets.

Schöffel also make shooting clothes using their exclusive double-laminated fabric called Venturi®, a 100% waterproof, windproof and breathable membrane. The durability of Venturi® and GORE-TEX® are dependent on proper care.

Tip: See our collection of Schöffel clothing with Venturi® fabric or GORE-TEX®.

Regular and correct garment care has a beneficial effect on the durability of the waterproof membrane. First, check your garment care labels for laundry instructions and follow our washing recommendations above. On Schöffel Ptarmigan shooting jackets, the care label can be found in the inner right waterproof pocket.

How to Reactivate Waterproof Properties

If the care label instructions allow, heat your waterproof garment in a tumble dryer on low. Once dry, tumble dry it again for 20 minutes and this will reactivate the waterproofing. If you cannot tumble dry to reactivate the waterproofness, iron the dried garment on a gentle setting (warm, no steam) by placing a clean towel or cloth between the garment and the iron.

How to Renew Waterproof Treatment

If you notice that your waterproofs are absorbing rather than repelling water, you may need to top up the water-repellent coating on the outside. To renew waterproofing it is best to use a specialist, silicone-free waterproof agent, such as the Nikwax TX.Direct® Spray-On or TX.Direct® Wash-In. Do this regularly or after 2-3 washes to maintain the durability of your waterproof garments.

Caring for Schöffel Down-filled Gilets and Coats

The down-filled collection of coats and gilets by Schöffel for women and men are all machine washable and provide excellent warmth for the colder weather. Such styles include, for example, the Mayfair II Down Coat for women, or the Bowden Down Gilet for men.

Washing Down-filled Schöffel Clothing

• Before washing, close all zips and fastenings and turn inside out.
• Read the garment care instructions carefully – some of the down-filled gilets have a leather zip puller, which should be removed before washing.
• Use mild detergent only and ideally a special detergent for waterproof clothes, such as Nikwax Tech Wash®.
• Machine wash on a delicate setting, 30° max temperature.
• Do not use fabric softener.

Drying Down-filled Schöffel Clothing

• Schöffel down-filled gilets and coats can be tumble dried on low heat.
• It is recommended that you take out your garment from the tumble dryer halfway through, shake it out, then return it to the dryer for the remaining time.
• Always select the gentlest tumble dry setting.
• Do not iron your down-filled coat or gilet.

Tip: Shop our collection of down-filled Schöffel Clothing.

Caring for Schöffel Knitwear

Knitwear from Schöffel is made from fine quality merino wool, lambswool, or cashmere and cotton.

Washing and Drying Merino Wool and Lambswool

To care for your merino wool or lambswool Schöffel garments:

• Turn them inside out before washing, and machine wash cold on a delicate setting.
• Reshape whilst damp.
• Leave to dry flat away from direct heat and sunlight (use a flat drying rack if you have one)
• Do not tumble dry.

Washing and Drying Cashmere and cotton

Several of Schöffel’s knitwear styles are made from a beautiful cotton and cashmere combination; 85% cotton, 15% cashmere, combining softness and warmth.

• Turn your garment inside out, then hand wash in cool water only.
• Do not wring when wet. Machine wash cold on a delicate setting if hand washing is not possible.
• Do not tumble dry. Gently tease your jumper back into shape whilst damp, and dry flat away from direct heat and sunlight. Lay your jumper flat over a clean towel or use a flat drying rack.

Ironing Schöffel Knitwear

If you need to iron your Schöffel jumper, we recommend using a low heat setting and placing a clean cloth between the jumper and the iron to protect the fabric.

How do you remove bobbles from Schöffel?

Bobbling is a natural phenomena when it comes to knitwear, it happens when the fibres rub against each other and twist and break up. You can remove bobbling using a Bobble Shaver, found relatively cheap online. Using light, short strokes, run the shaver over the garment and collect the shavings with some sticky back tape.

Storing Schöffel Knitwear

It is best to store your knitwear flat. This will avoid the shoulders of your jumpers being pulled, which can occur if you use regular hangers. Otherwise, if storing flat is not an option, we suggest using special knitwear hangers, which are shaped with a gradual curve to avoid tension on delicate fabrics. Wool and cashmere can be inviting homes for moths. Therefore, always wash your garments before storing away for any length of time, because sweat, hairs or stains can attract moths. We recommend washing knitwear after every three or four wears, as fresh stains may not be visible immediately. Using lavender sachets or cedar balls in your drawers can also help to keep your knitwear moth free.

Tip: Shop our collection of Schöffel Knitwear.

Caring for Schöffel Shirts

Washing Schöffel Shirts

Every single shirt in the men’s and women’s Schöffel range is machine washable, making it easy to wash and wear your shirts regularly. So, you can enjoy wearing your Schöffel shirt safe in the knowledge that you can throw it in the wash when it needs it – perfect for an outdoor lifestyle.

Drying Schöffel Shirts

You can tumble dry Schöffel shirts on low heat. This applies to both the pure cotton men’s shirts and women's cotton and elastane mix shirts.

Ironing Schöffel Shirts

If your shirt needs an iron, use a low heat setting (two dots maximum). All the Schöffel men’s shirts are made from pure 100% cotton for softness and durability and a couple have an easy iron finish. This means less time ironing your shirt and more time wearing it.

Tip: Shop our collection of Schöffel shirts.

Our Schöffel favourites are built to last, but only if we do our bit to keep them looking and feeling as good as new. In return, we will have companions for life to stop us trudging through muddy fields and keeping us dry when the heavens open. Do you have any care types for your Schöffel clothing? We would love to keep in touch on social with #humesoutandabout