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washing Gor-Tex jackets??

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Old 10 January 2007, 11:10 AM
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nix_pug
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Default washing Gor-Tex jackets??

Had my Mera Peak a while now an its gettin a bit grubby. What do people reccommend using to clean them.

Hand wash?
low temp machine wash?
I believe there is a special cleaner that u can put in with the wash.

After its washed is it best to apply one of the rubs/sprays to regain that brand new finish?

bit geeky i know but i dont wanna wreck it!!

cheers
Old 10 January 2007, 11:14 AM
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Nik Wax products work well. Most outdoor stores sell them.

they do a wash for automatic washing machines, and a wash in or spray on waterproofer depending on whether the jacket is just a shell or has a insulating liner.

HTH
Old 10 January 2007, 11:15 AM
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Matteeboy
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I use natural soap powder (in a washing machine) but it's a pain to use.

Most supermarkets stock it and it's what the labels say to use.
Old 10 January 2007, 11:16 AM
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KiwiGTI
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Goretex waterproofing is mechanical, not based on any waterproofing sprays etc. I believe the best way of washing is to just use a cool temperature with normal detergent and then put in a drier where the heat increases it's waterproofness.

You could always try Washing & Maintenance Instructions

Specifically
Gore recommends applying a topical water repellency restorative (DWR treatment) for outdoor fabrics, available at your local outdoor retailer. We do not recommend wash-in treatments as they can affect the garment's breathability.
But this is only after a long time, the DWR treatement is restored by tumble drying.

Last edited by KiwiGTI; 10 January 2007 at 11:20 AM.
Old 10 January 2007, 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by KiwiGTI
Goretex waterproofing is mechanical, not based on any waterproofing sprays etc. I believe the best way of washing is to just use a cool temperature with normal detergent and then put in a drier where the heat increases it's waterproofness.

You could always try Washing & Maintenance Instructions
Kiwi

"Gore-Tex based fabric material is composed of a thin, porous fluoropolymer membrane with a urethane coating that is bonded to a fabric, usually nylon or polyester."

It also usually treated with a water repellant substance as well.

Normal detergents can break down the membrane and or coatings over time.

All of my jackets state that specialist washing products are recommended"

Should have made it clear in my post clear that the wash in waterproofers are only for very occasional use.

Last edited by ///\oo/\\\; 10 January 2007 at 11:26 AM.
Old 10 January 2007, 11:24 AM
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NEVER use fabric softeners with GorTex, it breaks down the waterproof membrane and reduces the waterproofing capability.
Gortex was invented during the Korean war. They made bandages from it to help the wounds breathe whilst healing, the rest as they say, is history !
Yve
Old 10 January 2007, 11:28 AM
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here you go

NIKWAX :: Easier, Safer, Drier

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Old 10 January 2007, 11:30 AM
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KiwiGTI
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Originally Posted by ///\oo/\\\
I wouldn't use that, all my Goretex stuff (North Face and Macpac) says nothing about specialist products.

The manufacturers of Goretex specifically warn against using a wash in product like the one you've mentioned.

from the Northface site :

A. How do I wash my Gore-tex® jacket?

All North Face garments have cleaning instructions on a tag inside the garment. In most jackets, you will find the tag stitched in the seam at the waist.
Washing your Gore-Tex® jacket will not hurt it. In fact, washing your jacket regularly will help maintain the DWR coating on the outside of the fabric, which causes water to bead up and shed off, rather than being absorbed.
Be sure to zip all zippers, and close all Velcro® fasteners before you wash your jacket. Please use a mild powder detergent. Liquid detergents can leave a residue on your jacket that will interfere with the DWR performance. You can wash your jacket in a regular washing machine, in cold water, on a gentle cycle. Put it through the rinse cycle twice, to be sure the detergent residue washes out. You can dry your jacket in a low temperature dryer, and if necessary, use a cool iron. Do not use bleach or fabric softeners, dry clean, or store when wet.
Old 10 January 2007, 11:34 AM
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So the recommendation to use "natural soap powder" in my coat is total bollox then?

Took me ages to find the damn stuff in the shops!
Old 10 January 2007, 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by KiwiGTI
I
The manufacturers of Goretex specifically warn against using a wash in product like the one you've mentioned.

Dude - the link I've posted is a wash product, not a waterproofer.

Although if you would like to direct me to anywhere it says "do not use" such a wash I'll be happy to retract my advice.

You may also want to bring it to the attention of practically all the specialist outdoor shops up here who recommend it (even those who don't stock it)

By al means stick your in the machine with Ariel/Daz/Bold whatever.
Old 10 January 2007, 11:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Matteeboy
So the recommendation to use "natural soap powder" in my coat is total bollox then?

Took me ages to find the damn stuff in the shops!
lol

Probably not, but that is certainly not your standard detergent.
Old 10 January 2007, 11:51 AM
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KiwiGTI
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Originally Posted by ///\oo/\\\
By al means stick your in the machine with Ariel/Daz/Bold whatever.
Never had a problem and have been in some fairly wet conditions as well as using my jackets on motorbikes.
Old 10 January 2007, 11:54 AM
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Cool

Try this. It's free and you can re-enter every 3 months, I mean, how often do you wash your coats!?!?!?

Geezer
Old 10 January 2007, 11:57 AM
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I use a product called Tech Wash I get from my local Millets
Old 10 January 2007, 12:31 PM
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The problem with ordinary soap powders is that they remove the water proofing of the outside layer. If the outer of the garment is completely wet it stops the Gore Tex breathing and you will find you get wet due to sweat as the jacket cannot breathe, the reproofers like Nicwax retreats the outer layer so water beads up again and the jacket continues to breath. But Daz and Ariel and all the other stuff will eventually attack the Goretex membrane.

To improve the beading ability, you can put the jacket in a tumble drier or go over it with a warm iron.

Last edited by r32; 10 January 2007 at 12:34 PM.
Old 11 January 2007, 11:56 AM
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Thumbs up

Originally Posted by r32
The problem with ordinary soap powders is that they remove the water proofing of the outside layer. If the outer of the garment is completely wet it stops the Gore Tex breathing and you will find you get wet due to sweat as the jacket cannot breathe, the reproofers like Nicwax retreats the outer layer so water beads up again and the jacket continues to breath. But Daz and Ariel and all the other stuff will eventually attack the Goretex membrane.

To improve the beading ability, you can put the jacket in a tumble drier or go over it with a warm iron.
This guy is right. My Mera Peak left me soaked due to sweat on a walk in the Lakes last year as the outer nylon shell had lost all its waterproofing and it blocked the evaporation through the Gor-Tex. A wash with NikWash cleaned up the coat and then a treatment with NikWax to reproof the outer shell, followed by a session in the tumbler saw it working like new the next day. Remember to wear a manmade wicking base layer and a manmade insulating layer beneath it, as natural fibres (cotton/wool) are absorbent and so trap the moisture in rather than letting it vaporise and escape through the Gor-Tex.
Old 11 January 2007, 01:37 PM
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Armed forces advice was to wash with very little soap powder but more importantly to put it in a dryer afterwards which is supposed to ensure it maintains it's waterprofing properties? It worked for me.
Old 12 January 2007, 12:13 AM
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got myself some NIKWAX TECHWASH, should hopefully do the job an then a session in the tumble drier, if i can work out how to use it!

cheers for the info
Old 12 January 2007, 09:06 AM
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Originally Posted by nix_pug
got myself some NIKWAX TECHWASH, should hopefully do the job an then a session in the tumble drier, if i can work out how to use it!

cheers for the info

There is another product Nikwask make which helps add back the waterproof replant on the outside. I also use that
Old 12 January 2007, 09:20 AM
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Originally Posted by GrantyBoy
There is another product Nikwask make which helps add back the waterproof replant on the outside. I also use that
Shh... don't tell Kiwi that
Old 12 January 2007, 09:33 AM
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Make sure you clean the machine of any old soap residue and run a few very hot cycles first then wash in tech wash. To reproof use TX 10. If its a 3 ply coat then use the TX10 wash in the machine. If its a 2 ply coat with a mesh drop liner then use the spray on TX10 when its still wet after washing. Then tumble dry to activate the DWR coating.
Old 12 January 2007, 09:34 AM
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Don't forget to store the Nikwash in the same cupboard as your Knocklink manuals.
Old 12 January 2007, 11:42 AM
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Right guys I work for Gore and actually make the fabric, simplest way is wash as normal with ordinary soap powder, DO NOT USE fabric softener it affects the waterproofing, if you find your jacket is no longer reppeling the water as well as it should you need to tumble dry the garment and this should help reactivate the pfc repellent, be advised though it tends to work better with hot tumble driers as we use industrial ones to activate the DWR. If the jacket is old and has been washed many times then it is probably best if you coat it with a new repellent, unsure of makes out there as I get the stuff we use in the process.

Dougie
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