Pennsylvania's statewide regular firearms deer season opens Saturday, November 28, 2026, and runs through December 13. Statewide archery runs October 3 through November 20, then picks back up December 26.
A deer's nose is its best defense. You can sit still in a perfect stand and still get busted because your jacket smells like dryer sheets and the inside of your truck. Clean, scent-free clothes won't make you invisible. They take away one easy reason for a deer to leave.
Seven steps to wash hunting clothes
Step 1: Clean the washer first
If your household uses scented detergent or softener, residue can sit in the drum and dispenser. Run an empty hot cycle with a cup of baking soda before washing hunting gear.
Step 2: Use an unscented detergent
Choose a detergent labeled fragrance-free or one made for hunting gear. Regular fresh-scent detergents are made to leave fragrance on fabric. If you hunt in camo, skip products with optical brighteners, too.
Step 3: Add baking soda
Add half a cup of baking soda to the drum to help with odors already in the fabric, especially in base layers and socks.
Step 4: Turn it inside out and follow the label
Turn camo inside out to protect the pattern and any scent-control or waterproof coating. Use the water temperature on the care tag; many technical layers call for cold or warm water.
Step 5: Skip dryer sheets and fabric softener
Both leave fragrance on fabric. If you use a dryer, choose low heat and dry the gear by itself. Or line-dry outside, away from the grill, gas can, and dryer vent.
Step 6: Store it sealed
Once everything is dry, put your gear in a sealed tote or scent-proof bag instead of returning it to the closet or garage.
Step 7: Keep it clean on the drive
Get dressed at the truck rather than at home. Stops at gas stations and diners, and even the cab of your truck, can leave odor on clothes.
Hand off your everyday laundry
Lux Laundry picks up across the Lehigh Valley, from Schnecksville and Slatington to Nazareth and Whitehall. We wash, fold, and bring your everyday laundry back to you.
See our laundry pickup and delivery service or check laundry service pricing. Wash and fold is $2 per pound with free pickup and delivery; a pickup minimum applies.
Schedule a pickupFrequently asked questions
When does rifle deer season open in Pennsylvania in 2026?
The statewide regular firearms deer season opens Saturday, November 28, 2026, and runs through December 13.
Can I use regular detergent on hunting clothes?
You can, but many regular detergents add fragrance or optical brighteners. A fragrance-free detergent is a better choice for hunting gear.
Should I wash hunting clothes after every hunt?
Wash base layers and socks after each use. Outer layers can go longer if you store them sealed between hunts.