Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean my Oil Finish Shelter Cloth garment?
Wipe or brush away surface soil or buildup with a damp cloth or scrub brush. If necessary, use cold water to loosen up any caked mud or dirt. (Some customers just hose 'em down at the end of the day.)
We advise against spot cleaning with soap and water, as it may result in a loss of water repellency or color in that spot. If it is absolutely necessary to spot clean an Oil Finish garment, you may need to re-wax that spot to restore the water repellency after it dries.
DO NOT professionally dry clean Oil Finish garments. Dry cleaning solutions destroy the Oil Finish, effectively turning Oil Finish fabrics into Dry Finish fabrics. If an Oil Finish garment is dry cleaned, it will need to be re-waxed to restore its water repellency.
DO NOT machine wash Oil Finish garments. Machine washing breaks down the Oil Finish, and sometimes causes the fabric to shrink. Most importantly, machine washing will not soften Oil Finish Shelter Cloth. In fact, it may make the fabric stiffer than before.
Do I need to re-wax my Oil Finish Shelter Cloth garment right away?
You shouldn't need to re-wax your Oil Finish Shelter Cloth garment right away. It is ready to wear.
However, over time, and with regular use, the Oil Finish water repellency may weaken, especially in areas of high wear or repeated flexing (such as the knees of a pant, or the elbows or cuffs on a jacket). One can of our Style 1-A Original Oil Finish Wax is enough to touch up isolated areas of high wear or flexing, but re-waxing an entire garment usually requires several cans of wax. See Style 1 and 1-A for detailed instructions.
What should I do if my Oil Finish Shelter Cloth garment gets wet?
Cotton can shrink if it gets wet, especially when it's exposed to any kind of heat. Allow your Oil Finish Shelter Cloth garment to dry naturally, away from any source of heat, to minimize shrinkage.
Oil Finish Shelter Cloth is made of 100% cotton that has not been preshrunk, so shrinkage can occur, even if care is taken to avoid prolonged exposure to heat when wet. Most customers do not experience enough shrinkage to have a problem with the fit.
Filson Shelter Cloth Hunting Coat Common Uses
Upland bird hunting, waterfowl hunting, shooting, street wear