How to Wash and Care for Your Cargo Pants

Cargo pants are built for durability, but even the toughest fabrics benefit from proper care. Whether you're wearing work cargo pants on a construction site or outdoor pants on hiking trails, following the right washing and maintenance routine will keep your pants looking good and performing well for years to come.

The key to caring for cargo pants lies in understanding the fabric, using appropriate washing techniques, and avoiding common mistakes that can damage the material or hardware. This guide covers everything you need to know about maintaining your cargo pants in Australian conditions.

Before You Wash: Preparation Steps

Proper preparation is crucial for effective cleaning and preventing damage to your cargo pants. Taking a few minutes before washing can save you from colour bleeding, fabric damage, and hardware issues.

Empty All Pockets

This seems obvious, but cargo pants have multiple pockets—often eight or more—and it's easy to miss items tucked away in smaller compartments. Check every pocket thoroughly, including:

• Main front pockets and coin pocket
• Rear pockets
• Thigh cargo pockets (both external and internal)
• Any additional tool or phone pockets
• Hidden security pockets

Leaving items like screws, nails, or tools in pockets can damage both the pants and your washing machine. Tissues left in pockets create a mess, while forgotten receipts or papers can leave residue on fabric.

Check the Care Label

Every pair of cargo pants comes with a care label containing specific washing instructions from the manufacturer. These instructions are based on the actual fabric composition and construction of your specific pants. While general guidelines apply to most cargo pants, always defer to the manufacturer's recommendations when they differ.

Close All Fastenings

Before placing cargo pants in the wash, close all zips, buttons, and velcro fastenings. This prevents hardware from snagging on other garments or the drum of your washing machine. Velcro, in particular, can attract lint and damage delicate fabrics if left open during washing.

Turn Pants Inside Out

Turning cargo pants inside out before washing provides several benefits. It reduces friction on the outer surface, helping preserve colour and finish. It also allows the interior, which has direct contact with your body, to receive more thorough cleaning. For pants with fading concerns, this simple step makes a noticeable difference over time.

Washing Your Cargo Pants

Water Temperature

Cold to warm water (30-40°C) works best for most cargo pants. Hot water can cause shrinkage, particularly in 100% cotton pants, and may set stains rather than removing them. Cold water is generally sufficient for regular cleaning and is more energy-efficient.

For heavily soiled work pants with oil, grease, or stubborn dirt, a warm wash provides better cleaning power. However, always check colorfastness first by testing an inconspicuous area.

Detergent Selection

Use a quality liquid detergent rather than powder. Liquid detergents dissolve more completely and rinse out more easily, leaving less residue on fabric. For work pants with heavy soil, a heavy-duty detergent formulated for workwear provides extra cleaning power.

Avoid using excessive detergent—more isn't better. Over-sudsing leaves residue that can attract dirt and make pants feel stiff. Follow the detergent manufacturer's dosing recommendations for your load size and soil level.

Wash Cycle Selection

A normal or heavy-duty cycle suits most cotton work pants. For lighter casual cargo pants or those with stretch fabric, a gentle or permanent press cycle is more appropriate. Reduce spin speed if possible—excessive spinning can cause creasing and stress seams.

Pre-treating Stains

For tough stains like oil, grease, or paint, pre-treatment significantly improves results. Apply a stain remover or liquid detergent directly to the stain before washing. For oil-based stains, dish soap can be effective—apply it to the stain, gently work it in, and let it sit for 15-30 minutes before washing.

Drying Your Cargo Pants

Line Drying (Recommended)

Air drying is the gentlest option and helps preserve both fabric and colour. Hang pants by the waistband or lay them flat to dry. Direct sunlight helps kill bacteria but can cause fading over time, so turn pants inside out or dry in shade if colour preservation is important.

In Australian climates, line drying is practical for most of the year and saves energy compared to machine drying. Pants typically dry within a few hours on a warm, breezy day.

Machine Drying

If using a tumble dryer, select a low to medium heat setting. High heat can cause shrinkage in cotton pants and may damage elasticated waistbands or stretch fabrics. Remove pants while slightly damp to reduce wrinkles and prevent over-drying.

Storage Tips

Proper storage keeps cargo pants in ready-to-wear condition and prevents unnecessary wear between uses.

• Hang or fold properly: Hanging prevents creases in cotton pants, while folding works well for casual styles
• Empty pockets before storing: Items left in pockets can cause stretching and leave impressions
• Store in a dry location: Dampness can cause mildew, especially on cotton fabrics
• Keep away from direct sunlight: Prolonged sun exposure fades colours
• Allow pants to air out: After wearing, let pants breathe before storing to prevent odour buildup

Special Care Situations

Removing Stubborn Odours

Work pants that develop persistent odours despite regular washing may benefit from a vinegar soak. Add one cup of white vinegar to cold water and soak pants for 30 minutes before washing as normal. The vinegar helps neutralise odour-causing bacteria without damaging fabric.

Caring for Water-Resistant Coatings

Some outdoor cargo pants feature DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coatings that can degrade over time and with washing. To maintain water resistance, wash these pants separately with a technical fabric wash and tumble dry on low heat—the heat helps reactivate the DWR coating. Periodic reapplication of a spray-on water repellent may be necessary.

How Often Should You Wash Cargo Pants?

Washing frequency depends on use. Work pants exposed to dirt, sweat, or hazardous materials should be washed after each wear. Casual cargo pants worn in clean environments can often go several wears between washes, which helps preserve fabric and colour.

Over-washing causes unnecessary wear, while under-washing allows sweat and oils to break down fabric over time. Find a balance based on how you use your pants and how soiled they become.

Following these care guidelines will help your cargo pants maintain their appearance, comfort, and functionality for years. Quality workwear represents a significant investment, and proper care ensures you get the maximum value from that investment.