Detergents for cleaning foul weather gear

Ezgoing · 26 February 2006, 16:28

Greeting all,

Does anyone have any recommendations regarding which detergents to use to clean jackets, salopettes etc?

In particular does anyone know which detergents have a negative effect on the waterproofability?

Thks

Roy Smith · 26 February 2006, 17:00

There is a special cleaners by Port Hamble they will clean and reproff
dont know how much it will cost

Richard B · 26 February 2006, 17:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ezgoing

In particular does anyone know which detergents have a negative effect on the waterproofability?

As far as I know, I think they are all a bit dodgy!

Try detergent free products like: http://www.soap-flakes.co.uk

DGR · 26 February 2006, 17:26

You can get special washing and conditioning liquids for outdoor jackets from most outdoor shops - I'd have thought that would have done the job.

They work differently to most detergents as they don't clog the pores in the GoreTex - so I would have thought they would work OK for foul weather gear.

What do the washing instructions in your gear say?

D...

The Garfish · 26 February 2006, 17:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGR

What do the washing instructions in your gear say?

thay saiy giv dis cote too de missiz an lett de bich sawt itt owt.

gaRf

Andy_Rs600 · 26 February 2006, 18:39

The products recommended for cleaning breathable materials such as gore-tex, event, sympatex are

1) Grangers Fabric Wash
2) Nikwax Tec-Wash

Both these systems are actually a two step process. First you wash the garment, then apply a re-proofing material. The wash does not damage the mebrane or glue. The re-proof restores the DWR(durable water repellent) coating on the face fabric. The garment will not leak if you don't re-proof, but the fabric may absorb water(wet out) and this reduces brethability.

Tips that are not in the instructions on the bottle are......

Don't use the wash-in re-proofing, only use the spray on type. The wash in makes both sides of your jacket water repellent, and you don't want the inside to be because it reduces the breathability.

Also, run the machine once empty to get rid of any residual washing powder.

have fun,
andy

p.s. i'm not wierd, i used to work for Snow and Rock

Colin F · 26 February 2006, 18:59

I used Henri Lloyd Renew, £5 or so, all done in a washing machine and tumbler. Worked very well on my jacket. not sure if it is solely for their stuff - probably ok on everything.

FreeTrader · 26 February 2006, 19:13

I just washed my Yellow HPX Mustos in the washing machine at 40 degrees with fairy non bio. Cleaned up brilliantly, and still waterproof.

AndrewH · 26 February 2006, 19:26

I've spoke to reps at both Henri Lloyd and Douglas Gill and both say that it is OK to machine wash wet weather gear in a standard washing machine as long as you DO NOT use biological detergents and keep to low temperatures.

We've got Helly and Gill kit that has been washed this way and hasn't affect performance at all.

Oh yeah, and do the zips up before washing - you don't want then ripped out at full spin!!

Ezgoing · 26 February 2006, 20:18

thks for all th esuggestions.

Concensus seems to be for non biological.

why so?

Andy_Rs600 · 26 February 2006, 20:25

"why non-bio"

you want the technical answer?

Ezgoing · 27 February 2006, 19:11

Try us...Garfish can interpret if we don't understand.

Thks