How to Care for and Maintain Your Cargo Shorts

Investing in quality cargo shorts is only half the battle. Proper care and maintenance can double or even triple the lifespan of your favourite pairs, saving you money and keeping you comfortable for years to come. This guide covers everything you need to know about maintaining cargo shorts across all fabric types.

Understanding Your Fabric

Before diving into care techniques, it's essential to identify what your cargo shorts are made from. Check the label inside the waistband—this information determines how you should wash, dry, and store your shorts.

Different fabrics require different approaches:

100% Cotton: Durable but prone to shrinkage and wrinkles
Cotton-Polyester Blends: More forgiving, wrinkle-resistant
Nylon/Ripstop: Quick-drying but can trap odours
Stretch Fabrics: Require gentler handling to preserve elasticity

⭐ Key Takeaway

Always read the care label before washing. Manufacturers know their fabric best, and following their guidelines prevents damage.

Pre-Wash Preparation

Proper pre-wash preparation prevents damage and ensures thorough cleaning:

Empty All Pockets

This seems obvious, but cargo shorts have more pockets than regular shorts—sometimes eight or more. Check every single one. Forgotten items can damage the shorts, your washing machine, or other clothes. Tissues left in pockets create a nightmare of white lint on everything.

Close All Fasteners

Button all buttons, snap all snaps, and close all zippers. Open fasteners can catch on fabric during the wash cycle, causing tears and snags. Velcro closures should be pressed firmly closed; open velcro is notorious for damaging other items.

Turn Shorts Inside Out

This simple step protects the exterior fabric from abrasion against other items and the washing machine drum. It also helps preserve colour by reducing exposure to detergent and friction.

Pre-Treat Stains

Address stains before washing for best results. Apply stain remover directly to affected areas and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. For oil-based stains common with work shorts, dishwashing liquid works surprisingly well.

Washing Best Practices

Water Temperature

Cold water is your friend. It prevents shrinkage, preserves colour, and is gentler on all fabric types. Reserve warm water only for heavily soiled work shorts, and avoid hot water entirely unless you're trying to intentionally shrink cotton shorts.

Detergent Selection

Use a mild, quality detergent. Avoid bleach on coloured cargo shorts—it weakens fibres and causes fading. For technical fabrics like nylon or moisture-wicking blends, consider sport-specific detergents that eliminate odours without leaving residue that can affect fabric performance.

💡 Washing Tip

Avoid fabric softener on technical fabrics and work shorts. It can coat fibres, reducing breathability and moisture-wicking properties.

Wash Cycle Selection

Choose a gentle or permanent press cycle for most cargo shorts. The aggressive agitation of a normal cycle isn't necessary for shorts that aren't heavily soiled and can cause unnecessary wear. Only use a heavy-duty cycle for seriously dirty work shorts.

Load Size

Don't overcrowd the washing machine. Shorts need room to move freely for proper cleaning. Overloading also increases friction between items, accelerating wear and causing pilling.

Drying Techniques

How you dry your cargo shorts matters as much as how you wash them.

Air Drying (Recommended)

Air drying is the gentlest option and extends the life of all fabrics. Hang shorts by the waistband using a clothespin or hanger with clips. Hanging by the waistband allows gravity to help pull out wrinkles naturally.

Avoid direct sunlight for extended periods—UV rays fade colours over time. A shaded, well-ventilated area is ideal.

Machine Drying

If you must use a dryer, select low heat. High heat causes shrinkage in cotton, damages elastic components, and can weaken synthetic fibres. Remove shorts while slightly damp to minimise wrinkles and reduce heat exposure.

Never put cargo shorts with rubber or plastic components (like some tactical styles) in the dryer. Heat can warp or melt these elements.

⭐ Key Takeaway

Low heat and removing items while slightly damp is the safest machine-drying approach. When in doubt, air dry.

Ironing and Wrinkle Removal

When to Iron

Pure cotton shorts often need ironing for a crisp appearance. Cotton-polyester blends usually need little to no ironing. Nylon and other synthetics should rarely be ironed—they can melt or become shiny under heat.

Ironing Best Practices

Always iron cargo shorts inside out to prevent shine on the exterior. Use a low to medium heat setting, increasing gradually if needed. Avoid ironing directly over pocket closures, buttons, or any plastic/rubber elements.

Steam works well for removing wrinkles from cotton without direct heat contact. A steamer or iron's steam function can refresh cargo shorts without the risk of heat damage.

Wrinkle Prevention

The best wrinkle treatment is prevention. Remove shorts from the dryer promptly or air dry properly. Fold neatly or hang immediately. If shorts become wrinkled during storage, hanging them in a steamy bathroom while you shower can relax the fibres.

Storage Solutions

Proper storage keeps your cargo shorts in excellent condition between wears.

Hanging vs. Folding

Both methods work, but each has advantages:

Hanging prevents creases, allows air circulation, and keeps shorts easily visible for selection. Use hangers with clips that grip the waistband.

Folding saves space and works well for drawer storage. Fold along the natural creases and avoid overstuffing drawers.

Seasonal Storage

When storing cargo shorts for the off-season:

Wash thoroughly before storage—stains set permanently over time
Ensure shorts are completely dry to prevent mildew
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
Use cedar blocks or lavender sachets to deter moths
Avoid plastic bags, which trap moisture—breathable garment bags are better

Repair and Restoration

Extend your shorts' life with simple repairs:

Replacing Buttons

Buttons fall off eventually. Keep spare buttons from new purchases, or find matching replacements at fabric stores. Sewing on a button takes only minutes and basic skills.

Fixing Small Tears

Small tears in cargo short fabric can be repaired with iron-on patches on the inside or careful stitching. For ripstop fabrics, speciality repair tape works exceptionally well.

Restoring Colour

Faded cargo shorts can be refreshed with fabric dye. Follow the dye manufacturer's instructions carefully, and test on an inconspicuous area first.

💡 Maintenance Schedule

Every 3-6 months, inspect your cargo shorts for loose buttons, fraying seams, and worn pocket linings. Catching problems early makes repairs easier.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Washing too frequently: Unless visibly dirty or smelly, cargo shorts can often be worn multiple times between washes
Using too much detergent: Excess detergent doesn't mean cleaner clothes—it leaves residue that attracts dirt
High-heat drying: The number one cause of premature cargo short death
Ignoring stains: The longer a stain sits, the harder it is to remove
Overloading pockets: Constantly stuffing pockets to capacity stretches fabric and strains seams

With proper care, a quality pair of cargo shorts can last 5-10 years or more. Invest a little time in maintenance, and your cargo shorts will reward you with years of comfortable wear.