Can I rescue my Goretex jacket - I think I've killed it!

HopeElizzy

My jacket re-waterproofs itself if you put it through the washing machine and then reactivates when dried in the tumble drier. I'm not sure how this works but mine has these specific instructions on the washing label indicating a 40 wash and a cool tumble dry. It also says to use water repellent spray on it occasionally. I've had it for 8 years now and it looks as good as new, it's a Goretex Sprayway and was bought in a sale though it still cost more than my wedding dress, it is the most expensive piece of clothing I've ever bought:eek:

Stompa

http://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/index.php

newlywed

I used nikwax on a ski jacket. Helped. Not as good as new but helped. Easy to use in the washing machine.

Seakay

I used a Nikwax cleaning product and had to do 2 extra rinses to get it all out (it was a one wash sachet) so I would suggest using less than the recommended amount (unless someone knows differently) so that your re-waterproofing solution is more of a longterm investment.

dorsetmiss_2

If you are just thinking of doing an ordinary wash in the washing machine be careful what you use as you can 'kill' Goretex...guess how I know :rolleyes: . Think you have to use pure soap not the bio and auto powders. Best of luck!

Stompa

dorsetmiss wrote:

If you are just thinking of doing an ordinary wash in the washing machine be careful what you use as you can 'kill' Goretex...guess how I know :rolleyes: . Think you have to use pure soap not the bio and auto powders. Best of luck!

Nikwax have both a cleaner as well as a waterproofer. I usually wash with the cleaner, then use the waterproofer. IIRC they're about £5 a bottle, but for a single jacket you only need to use half of that.

anguk

Nickwax have a quiz and if you answer the questions correctly you win a pouch of Nikwax Tech Wash for waterproof clothing. You can only win once every 3 months per household and the products change, I've had a few from them in the past.

http://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/webquiz/index.php

chloe99_2

you could phone up an outdoor shop like field and trek or blacks (or go in if there's one near you) as if you do the wrong thing it could be permanently spoilt. they do sell a few different products for reactivating different waterproofed things so might be best to try and get the exact right product?

DrBenway

W.L. Gore say always check with the manufacturer. They do say that while tumble drying is good it will reduce the life of the garment.

This is what one of mine says:

"We recommend the use of non-biological washing powder, and washing at 30 deg C. We do not recommend the use of washing conditioners as these have an adverse effect on the water repellancy of the outer fabric.

Re-proofing revives the water-repellant treatment on a garment that can wear off over time. We recommend you use a non-silicone based water repellant spray to reproof your garments (outside face only) such as Granger's SuperPruf. For best results ensure your garment is clean before spraying."

This is a link for the SuperPruf.

You can also get gore tex patches from McNett like this

dlb

My dh who used to work for outdoor clothing company says take it back to where you bought it as if it is gortex it shouldnt leak, its the material thats waterproof not the coating.
They would have given refund or replacement if you had taken it back no matter how long you have had it.