If things get tougher?

Uniscots97

OH suggested at the weekend we get a tumble dryer (he's moving in shortly), I was horrified especially when (after me saying how much they are to run) he said to me they are to 'activate' the kids Berghaus (sp?) jackets they must be tumble dried! :eek:

Is this (as I suspect) complete nonsense?

They say the jacket has to be put in on the lowest heat setting for half an hour. Wouldn't hanging it in the airing cupboard and giving it a shake every 15 minutes do the same thing? Anyone got these 'special' jackets?

Aril

An update on yesterday. It turns out that OH has been doing some sneaky research on solar panels on the internet. Sadly they are out of our price budget and having done the sums, it would seem that they would not pay off. We also won't be able to have a windmill [is that the right word excuse me folks I'm having a seriously senior/Essex girl moment here and yes I am from that part of the world so I can call myself that:rotfl: :rotfl: ] as we don't get enough wind in this part of Sussex. However, he's read that you can make your own panels or alternatively paint a radiator black. I can tell he's giving it some serious thought for maybe next year as he started talking about needing different coils in the tank in the loft at which point he completely lost me. So...who knows. We have a south facing roof and it would save us up to a third of the cost of our hot water in the summer. Worth some further investigation me thinks although not quite sure how we'd get the darned thing up there in the first place as yet!!
Aril

Olliebeak

unixgirluk wrote: »

OH suggested at the weekend we get a tumble dryer (he's moving in shortly), I was horrified especially when (after me saying how much they are to run) he said to me they are to 'activate' the kids Berghaus (sp?) jackets they must be tumble dried! :eek:




Doesn't exactly sound right with me. My OH has been wearing this type of jacket for many years and I've never heard of 'activating' them. On the other hand, their technologies change all the time and maybe this could be some kind of new fabric that requires this.

This is their website, I'd suggest that you use the 'contact us' link to ask about 'activating' and what it entails.

http://www.berghaus.com/

BB1984

unixgirluk vbmenu_register("postmenu_12669725", true); - re the Berghaus jackets

I don't know whether or not that is ture, but if it is, rather than spending £££ on a tumble drier, you could take the jackets to the launderette when they need doing - that would only be a couple of quid a time I expect.


bb

Uniscots97

Thanks BB and Ollie. I've emailed Berghaus. If they really do have to be 'activated' by a tumble dryer (and the airing cupboard things won't work) then laundrette it will be. I have a feeling they may laugh at my email!!! but oh well.

julbags

I have a Gore Tex jacket and when I wash it and reproof it I do tumble dry it to activate the waterproofing. The waterproof coating does need heat to activate it and I don't think the airing cupboard would do it really. The care instructions with one of my jackets did suggest using an iron on low heat but it didn't work as well as a tumble drier.

NemoToad

unixgirluk wrote: »

Thanks BB and Ollie. I've emailed Berghaus. If they really do have to be 'activated' by a tumble dryer (and the airing cupboard things won't work) then laundrette it will be. I have a feeling they may laugh at my email!!! but oh well.

There was an article in this months Trail about 'hill survival tips' or something similar. One of their points was how to keep your jacket waterproof (which I assume is what your OH is talking about). I don't have the magazine with me here at work, but I'm pretty sure it didn't mention a tumble dryer. I'll try and remember to post what it did say when I get home though. In the long-run it's much better to waterproof regularly and look after your jacket than keep having to replace them (although if your kids are growing I guess this is less of an issue anyway)

Uniscots97

NemoToad wrote: »

There was an article in this months Trail about 'hill survival tips' or something similar. One of their points was how to keep your jacket waterproof (which I assume is what your OH is talking about). I don't have the magazine with me here at work, but I'm pretty sure it didn't mention a tumble dryer. I'll try and remember to post what it did say when I get home though. In the long-run it's much better to waterproof regularly and look after your jacket than keep having to replace them (although if your kids are growing I guess this is less of an issue anyway)

Thanks Nemo, its appreciated.

Uniscots97

I got a reply from Berghaus! That was quick. Basically they say any heat source. They only recommend tumble dryer as its the easiest.

the email:-

Hi
After washing, the garments should be hang dried and finished off with some
heat. This is easiest by tumble dryer but could be on a radiator or
similar.
The heat re-activates the water repellant treatment on the outside face
which is de-activated during the wash. it does not affect waterproofness.

After a period of time the treatment will wear off and can be replaced by
products available in your local outdoor shop. Some of these do not require
the heat process.

Best regards

Jon Gale
Retail Support
Berghaus

FairyElephant_2

How annoying - I just wrote a nice long msg with lots of comments & ideas, but I lost it - so have to try again quickly (BTW - does anyone else find that MSE 'times out' their login and you have to input the password again, losing your message in the process?).

Re 'practical pressies' - I always used to get given clothes as a kid, and as it was normally HM or 2nd hand otherwise, I really appreciated having BRAND NEW things! DH & I often tell his family, when asked what the stepkids want, clothes & whatever smellies they are currently using - esp. as they are now teenagers and DSS#1 has expensive taste in designer undies & smellies!:cool: ) - as they have a big family on their mum's side too, they get loads of pressies anyhow, so they don't mind at all.

Last year we took them on a 'special holiday' abroad for 2 weeks - we discussed it with them first and said that if they wanted to do it then we wouldn't be able to give them Xmas or Birthday pressies that year - we did gave them a couple of little token things at Xmas so they'd have something to unwrap - mostly stuff to take on holiday! They were fine with that and loved the holiday and having our sole attention for 2 weeks. We'd got married the year before and asked for holiday vouchers as pressies which helped a long way towards it - we called it our 'family honeymoon'!:rotfl: Trouble is they had such a good time they want to go again!!! We've told them it'll take us 5 years to save up so they will be out & earning by then and they can pay for themselves! :T In the meantime it's back to taking them camping and on 'sun breaks'.....

DH didn't know what to get DS#1 for his 17th earlier this year, so I suggested we get his Driving Licence application form etc, and write out the cheque to DVLA and incl a voucher to get his photo's taken for it......DSS#1 was thrilled - he thought it was a great idea and the most thoughtful present he'd had! (and 'step-mum' here got lots of brownie points!!!;) ). So that'll be 17th pressies sorted for the other 2 when the time comes.........