Washing waterproof coats

nodwah

My husband's NorthFace ski jacket had some sort of oily marks on it and i washed it in just vanish on a 40 degrees wash with no spin and hung it out - it was fine.

Wagearner

I remembered some advice about tumble drying waterproofs to keep the water repellency tip top and sure enough Trail magazine suggest:

"Cleaning them is the first step, and involves simply stuffing them in the washing machine. Battle rages over cleaning products – liquid, powder, soap flakes, specialist waterproof cleaner. Our advice? Check the label and if in doubt, use a specialist product. Fabric conditioner, bleach and dry-cleaning are all no-nos. Let the waterproofs drip-dry, or even better tumble dry, as the heat rejuvenates the water repellancy. Or try a long session blasting it with a warm hairdryer. Still getting soggy? Then you need to restore the waterproof finish. If it’s just a small patch like the shoulders, apply a reproofing spray to the area. If the whole thing’s leaky, stuff it back in the machine with a wash-in reproofer, then tumble dry.
All cleaning and reproofing products available from outdoors shops."

Personally I would wash at 40 degrees without any detergent (this will remove the worst of any dirt and freshen them up) and then tumble dry if possible.

Perhaps you could then test an area under the tap - preferably the shoulders which tend to go first - the water should 'bead' away, especially on a newish coat. If not, it will just need a quick once over from a reproofing spray - it may be a few pounds (although not much over £5) but will prolong the life considerably in the long run.

Although of course hopefully it will be all sunny and waterproofs will just seem like an unnecessary waste of bag space (although given the summer so far...)

juliapenguin

Don't use biological washing powder!!!!!! I did, and it lost its waterproofing....

If you've used bio and it's lost its waterproofing, you need to buy the Nikwax stuff and put it through the washer according to the instructions.

If it's not too late, use a small amount of non-bio, but first clean out the washing powder tray in your washer, as even a small amount of bio will make it not waterproof.

How do I know? Bitter experience

linni

I washed mine on a cool short wash with a capful of Stardrops and it came out lovely.

Patchwork_Quilt

I washed mine on the woollen/cold wash without any washing powder or softener as I thought the swishing around in the machine would get it clean and it did.

smartandshrewd

I have worked in an outdoor clothing shop and the manufacturers always suggest using specialist stuff otherwise it invalidates any warranty.

However, to clean a waterproof jacket without damaging it, use non-bio powder at 40 or lower. To dry, use a COOL tumble dryer setting - this re-activates Gortex (if it is Gortex) and brings back its waterproofing. If not drip dry, but you may then want to use something like wash-in periodically which reproofs.

Also, it is essential to keep breathable waterproofs like Gortex and Event clean of dirt, grime and oils otherwise their wicking properties are hindered. Not washing waterproofs in case they get damaged is a complete myth.

natc

Wow, some good advice here guys! Thanks. Ive just remembered that my washing powder is non bio but is 2 in 1 cond as well, so thats prob a no no, my new washing powder is fairy non bio - any good? Also have star drops, linni suggested a cap ful instead of anythign else, would this be just better than detergent?

I have a tumble dryer, will def put it in now, i thought that that would just damage it....!!

Owl

Hello

I've just got around to washing my winter coat, I have a berghaus 3 in 1 type coat. Fleece and Gore Tex outer layer...

Following the instructions carefully, I have washed at 40 with non bio powder....

However, I stupidly bought a pale blue and grey coat and the blue is still grubby... Any ideas to help get it clean without killing the wind or water resistance????

I hope you wonderful and knowledgeable lot can help

Owl x

redlady_1

Borax is pretty good. It is a new discovery from this board and is not bad at all.

happy35

i washed sons in bio powder and it seems ok, didnt put in any fabric softener though and dried it on the line