Patagonia store told me you need to wash often and definitely put in dryer.... low heat I think but the heat does something to restore DWR or waterproofing membrane.What?!!! I've been only hang drying my jackets and pants all this time.
@Analisa from what I understand, the waterproofing membrane pores needs to be "cleaned" and refreshed as they can get clogged---which is why traditional detergents/fabric softeners are advised against? With wear the seams and pores are stretched which is why it is advised to tumble on low heat to help them "shrink" back (for lack of a better word). Is this correct?
Not looking for heavy downpour waterproofing. Just something to wash and treat my gear in every season to help revive it's "waterproofing".
Though the muddy creek (riding gear) uses Revivex for their rain coats to be refreshed each season, everyone swears by them. I may just wear that coat if we get a wet heavy snow LOL
For washing, here’s the best practice to get it both clean and waterproof.
Both Nikwax and Granger’s make special products. Most better outdoors stores carry one brand or the other. You want Tech-Wash & TX-Direct for the first part (by Nikwax) or Granger’s is Performance Wash & Clothing Repel. One is a special wash, the second is Durable Water Repellent.
My instructions are slightly different from the label. The reason why is step #1 is a vehicle to get #2 to work, but it’s not really a cleaner. If you follow the label instructions your stuff never looks actually “clean”. Doing the second part in the washer doesn’t work very well as the whole inside gets coated too.
Thanks to Patrick Mark “Mr. Mender”
- Wash item with liquid detergent. You can treat grimy areas with Shout or similar
- Rinse 3 times.
- Now wash with Tech Wash, remove from washer.
- If your second part came in a spray bottle, lay jacket out and spray it, use a sponge brush to spread it evenly, pay close attention to getting the entire surface of the coat wet. If the second part is a liquid, pour it out into a dish and do the same thing with sponge brush.
- When jacket is thoroughly coated, put it in a low dryer for about 10 minutes, then line dry.
@Analisa from what I understand, the waterproofing membrane pores needs to be "cleaned" and refreshed as they can get clogged and stretched. Which is why traditional detergents/fabric softeners are advised against? With wear the seams and pores are stretched which is why it is advised to tumble on low heat to help them "shrink" back (for lack of a better word). Is this correct?