Care & Repair

To care for Velcro, regularly clean it by removing lint and debris with a lint roller, duct tape, or a soft-bristled toothbrush, gently brushing the hook and loop sides to maintain adhesion.  

We recommend that when the garment isn’t being worn to do up the Velcro to avoid any extra abrasion on the outer fabric.  

To care for metal zips, regularly clean them with a mild soap and water solution, then apply a dedicated zipper lubricant to the teeth to keep them moving smoothly; avoid using harsh chemicals, and always zip and unzip the zipper fully after cleaning to distribute the lubricant evenly; for stubborn dirt, use a soft brush to gently scrub the zipper teeth.

Regularly clean them with mild soap and water, gently brushing away dirt with a soft toothbrush, and then apply a thin layer of zipper lubricant (like a dedicated zipper wax stick or even a small amount of candle wax) along the zipper teeth to keep them sliding smoothly.

Always wash it inside out on a gentle cycle with cold water, do not use bleach or fabric softener, and air dry whenever possible. Spot treat stains before washing and always check the care label on the garment for specific instructions. 

To care for and clean snap domes, gently wipe them with a damp cloth and mild soap, ensuring to clean both the inside and outside of the snap mechanism.

 Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials, and if necessary, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to reach tight crevices. For particularly stubborn dirt, you can soak the snap domes in a mild soapy solution for a short time before rinsing thoroughly. 

Domes at the hem of over trousers and overalls are more susceptible to dirt build up so extra care for these is recommended. 

Please note that we do not recommend using products featuring metal zips or domes in seawater environments. Plastic zipper and Velcro garments are recommended for seawater environments. Metal components are susceptible to corrosion due to the exposure of saltwater and harsh marine conditions and can cause further damage to the surrounding fabric if greater pressure is applied due to jammed zips and domes.  

If you decide to use these products in marine conditions, regular maintenance is crucial if exposure to seawater occurs. Please follow the below care instructions to ensure product longevity and integrity:   

1. Wash with fresh water regularly and use a toothbrush to remove dirt, salt, and sand build up.  
2. If corrosion has already set in, use hot water (not exceeding 50 degrees) and white vinegar solution and toothbrush, to remove corrosion from the domes and zips.  

Please follow all washing instructions as per the care labels.  
We recommend turning the garment inside out halfway through drying.  

Before you stow away your garment ensure it is washed and fully dried before storing (check the inside of the garment to ensure it isn’t still damp). Hang on a coat hanger and not by the elastics as this will cause the elastic to deteriorate. Or hang the garment by the provided webbing loop.  

Store out of direct sunlight to prevent the fabric coming brittle overtime, and where airflow can pass through to prevent any potential mould growth.  

We recommend that each year your garment is rewater proofed. This can be completed for free as part of our free repairs or by applying our proprietary waterproofing solution.  

When using our proprietary waterproofing solution at home, for best results, remove all non-washable parts and always clean garments first. Shake well before use and follow the care label instructions 

Domestic Top Loader:

1. Remove all detergent build-up from dispenser 
2. Place a maximum of two garments in the washing machine 
3. Add our proprietary waterproofing solution. (300ml) 
4. Run 35L, 40 C synthetic cycle, slow spin. 

Domestic Front Loader:

1. Remove all detergent build-up from dispenser 
2. Place clean garment(s) in washing machine (maximum of two garments). 
3. Use 100ml of our proprietary waterproofing solution per garment. 
4. Run 30 C synthetic cycle and slow spin  

Before sending your Kaiwaka gear our way, make sure it’s clean, dry, and as free from dirt and odour as possible.

All items must be freshly washed according to the care label, this keeps things safe and hygienic for our repair team. Turn pockets inside out when washing, and double-check they’re empty before sending.

Any unsanitary gear will be sent back without repair.

Filling out the form takes just a few minutes. We’ll ask for a few key details about your garment and what’s gone wrong, plus some photos to help us assess things properly. Once it’s submitted, our team will be in touch with next steps.

Once your form is complete, our team will be in touch with where to send your gear - either to our in-house repair team in Kaiwaka or one of our approved repair partners in Australia, Canada or the UK. Please include a printed copy of your completed form with the garment.

Don’t have access to a printer? No problem, just include a piece of paper with your full name and repair order number.

We aim to do more than just patch and stitch, wherever possible, your gear gets the full service treatment to keep it performing at its best. Once the repair is complete, we’ll send it straight back to the address you provided on the form.