Washing a jacket and waterproofing?

[dgk]

My biking jacket (Cannondale) is looking pretty gritty. It's still
mostly yellow but the dirt is starting to cover it up. I've spot
cleaned it in the past by soaping a small area, but it really just
needs to hit the washing machine. There are no care instructions. I
guess I just run it through on a gentle cycle?

What is good for re-waterproofing? Thanks.

 

[gds]

dgk wrote:
> My biking jacket (Cannondale) is looking pretty gritty. It's still
> mostly yellow but the dirt is starting to cover it up. I've spot
> cleaned it in the past by soaping a small area, but it really just
> needs to hit the washing machine. There are no care instructions. I
> guess I just run it through on a gentle cycle?
>
> What is good for re-waterproofing? Thanks.

You say waterproofing. Is it a Gore type jacket or simply a dense weave
water resistant nylon jacket? If the former you can get re
waterproofing materials to either wash in to the jacket or to spray on
after the washing. If the latter you need only to wash it with a mild
detergent and it will be fine.

 

[dgk]

On 21 Nov 2006 09:14:40 -0800, "gds" <[email protected]> wrote:

>
>dgk wrote:
>> My biking jacket (Cannondale) is looking pretty gritty. It's still
>> mostly yellow but the dirt is starting to cover it up. I've spot
>> cleaned it in the past by soaping a small area, but it really just
>> needs to hit the washing machine. There are no care instructions. I
>> guess I just run it through on a gentle cycle?
>>
>> What is good for re-waterproofing? Thanks.
>
>You say waterproofing. Is it a Gore type jacket or simply a dense weave
>water resistant nylon jacket? If the former you can get re
>waterproofing materials to either wash in to the jacket or to spray on
>after the washing. If the latter you need only to wash it with a mild
>detergent and it will be fine.

Ah, I found the care tag. 100% polyester. Machine wash cold on gentle
cycle, mild detergent, do not dry clean or bleach. Line dry. Iron on
reverse side low temperature.

I guess I don't need to worry about waterproofing. Probably why it
never did a very good job as a rain coat.

 

[gds]

dgk wrote:
> On 21 Nov 2006 09:14:40 -0800, "gds" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >
> >dgk wrote:
> >> My biking jacket (Cannondale) is looking pretty gritty. It's still
> >> mostly yellow but the dirt is starting to cover it up. I've spot
> >> cleaned it in the past by soaping a small area, but it really just
> >> needs to hit the washing machine. There are no care instructions. I
> >> guess I just run it through on a gentle cycle?
> >>
> >> What is good for re-waterproofing? Thanks.
> >
> >You say waterproofing. Is it a Gore type jacket or simply a dense weave
> >water resistant nylon jacket? If the former you can get re
> >waterproofing materials to either wash in to the jacket or to spray on
> >after the washing. If the latter you need only to wash it with a mild
> >detergent and it will be fine.
>
> Ah, I found the care tag. 100% polyester. Machine wash cold on gentle
> cycle, mild detergent, do not dry clean or bleach. Line dry. Iron on
> reverse side low temperature.
>
> I guess I don't need to worry about waterproofing. Probably why it
> never did a very good job as a rain coat.

I'd skip he iron on reverse side part. I've washed jackets and vests
lots of times and never found that step necessary. Unless you plan to
wear it to a formal occcasion, of course ;-)

 

[dgk]

On 21 Nov 2006 09:53:23 -0800, "gds" <[email protected]> wrote:

>
>dgk wrote:
>> On 21 Nov 2006 09:14:40 -0800, "gds" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >dgk wrote:
>> >> My biking jacket (Cannondale) is looking pretty gritty. It's still
>> >> mostly yellow but the dirt is starting to cover it up. I've spot
>> >> cleaned it in the past by soaping a small area, but it really just
>> >> needs to hit the washing machine. There are no care instructions. I
>> >> guess I just run it through on a gentle cycle?
>> >>
>> >> What is good for re-waterproofing? Thanks.
>> >
>> >You say waterproofing. Is it a Gore type jacket or simply a dense weave
>> >water resistant nylon jacket? If the former you can get re
>> >waterproofing materials to either wash in to the jacket or to spray on
>> >after the washing. If the latter you need only to wash it with a mild
>> >detergent and it will be fine.
>>
>> Ah, I found the care tag. 100% polyester. Machine wash cold on gentle
>> cycle, mild detergent, do not dry clean or bleach. Line dry. Iron on
>> reverse side low temperature.
>>
>> I guess I don't need to worry about waterproofing. Probably why it
>> never did a very good job as a rain coat.
>
>I'd skip he iron on reverse side part. I've washed jackets and vests
>lots of times and never found that step necessary. Unless you plan to
>wear it to a formal occcasion, of course ;-)

I was trying to think of the last time I ironed. I usually do it
during football season. Iron, look up for the play, iron. Repeat. But
it's football season now so I'd better get to it.

 

[Grolch]

Generally you shouldn't wash "waterproof" clothing in detergent. use Zero or
Woolite. Detergent always leaves residues. The residue does what it was
designed to do, as detergent, and reduce the surface tension of the water
rendering it more capable of penetrating the pores of the fabric. Detergent
is a surfactant and you have to get rid of ALL of it. Put the jacket through
the rinse cycle twice, believe me this makes a huge difference to how well
the water will bead up on the surface. Most of this type of clothing has
what is called a DWR (durable water repellent) and this is usually best
restored (after washing and double rinsing) by drying in a tumble drier at
fairly warm settings.

Grolsch


"gds" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> dgk wrote:
>> My biking jacket (Cannondale) is looking pretty gritty. It's still
>> mostly yellow but the dirt is starting to cover it up. I've spot
>> cleaned it in the past by soaping a small area, but it really just
>> needs to hit the washing machine. There are no care instructions. I
>> guess I just run it through on a gentle cycle?
>>
>> What is good for re-waterproofing? Thanks.
>
> You say waterproofing. Is it a Gore type jacket or simply a dense weave
> water resistant nylon jacket? If the former you can get re
> waterproofing materials to either wash in to the jacket or to spray on
> after the washing. If the latter you need only to wash it with a mild
> detergent and it will be fine.
>

 

[Matt O'Toole]

On Tue, 21 Nov 2006 12:49:18 -0500, dgk wrote:

> Ah, I found the care tag. 100% polyester. Machine wash cold on gentle
> cycle, mild detergent, do not dry clean or bleach. Line dry. Iron on
> reverse side low temperature.
>
> I guess I don't need to worry about waterproofing. Probably why it
> never did a very good job as a rain coat.

Many of these fabrics are impregnated with silicone, etc., for water
resistance, which can be "perked up" by ironing. So the ironing is
actually good for the fabric, but wash first to avoid "ironing in" the
dirt.

Eventually the water resistance breaks down completely, and you'll have to
resort to Scotchguard or whatever (which is fine too).

Matt O.

 

[gds]

Matt O'Toole wrote:
>>
> Many of these fabrics are impregnated with silicone, etc., for water
> resistance, which can be "perked up" by ironing. So the ironing is
> actually good for the fabric, but wash first to avoid "ironing in" the
> dirt.
>
>
That is what the instructions indicate. My experience is that if you
throw it in the dryer on the lowest heat (delicate) cycle that the
effect is the same without the drudge of ironing.

 

[nash]

Grolsch

Just like the Beer. or did you accidentally add the S

BTW his advice is good too.

 

[gds]

Grolch wrote:
> Generally you shouldn't wash "waterproof" clothing in detergent. use Zero or
> Woolite. Detergent always leaves residues. The residue does what it was
> designed to do, as detergent, and reduce the surface tension of the water
> rendering it more capable of penetrating the pores of the fabric. Detergent
> is a surfactant and you have to get rid of ALL of it. Put the jacket through
> the rinse cycle twice, believe me this makes a huge difference to how well
> the water will bead up on the surface. Most of this type of clothing has
> what is called a DWR (durable water repellent) and this is usually best
> restored (after washing and double rinsing) by drying in a tumble drier at
> fairly warm settings.
>
> Grolsch
>
>
I find that the commercial "wash in" products which combine cleansing
and reconditioning work well. As to detergents; I've always thought
that powder detergents were OK and it was the liquids that caused
probelms. My understanding of chemistry does not allow me to explain
why. However, I have a 10 year old Gore Tex parka that has been washed
several times with a powder detergent and it gets clean and has
remained waterproof without any sort of reconditioning.

 

[dgk]

On 21 Nov 2006 12:50:37 -0800, "gds" <[email protected]> wrote:

>
>Grolch wrote:
>> Generally you shouldn't wash "waterproof" clothing in detergent. use Zero or
>> Woolite. Detergent always leaves residues. The residue does what it was
>> designed to do, as detergent, and reduce the surface tension of the water
>> rendering it more capable of penetrating the pores of the fabric. Detergent
>> is a surfactant and you have to get rid of ALL of it. Put the jacket through
>> the rinse cycle twice, believe me this makes a huge difference to how well
>> the water will bead up on the surface. Most of this type of clothing has
>> what is called a DWR (durable water repellent) and this is usually best
>> restored (after washing and double rinsing) by drying in a tumble drier at
>> fairly warm settings.
>>
>> Grolsch
>>
>>
>I find that the commercial "wash in" products which combine cleansing
>and reconditioning work well. As to detergents; I've always thought
>that powder detergents were OK and it was the liquids that caused
>probelms. My understanding of chemistry does not allow me to explain
>why. However, I have a 10 year old Gore Tex parka that has been washed
>several times with a powder detergent and it gets clean and has
>remained waterproof without any sort of reconditioning.

I was thinking originally of cold water Tide liquid. But perhaps I'll
do that, and then just wash it again in plain water. Then dry it or
iron it.

 

[Mike Jacoubowsky]

> I'd skip he iron on reverse side part. I've washed jackets and vests
> lots of times and never found that step necessary. Unless you plan to
> wear it to a formal occcasion, of course ;-)

I was talking with one of our apparel reps a couple weeks ago about
rainproofing and the differences between Gore and other brands.
Interestingly, he brought up ironing. For some garments, ironing them
re-activates the waterproof character of the material. He had a technical
way of explaining it that I didn't quite understand.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com


"gds" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> dgk wrote:
>> On 21 Nov 2006 09:14:40 -0800, "gds" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >dgk wrote:
>> >> My biking jacket (Cannondale) is looking pretty gritty. It's still
>> >> mostly yellow but the dirt is starting to cover it up. I've spot
>> >> cleaned it in the past by soaping a small area, but it really just
>> >> needs to hit the washing machine. There are no care instructions. I
>> >> guess I just run it through on a gentle cycle?
>> >>
>> >> What is good for re-waterproofing? Thanks.
>> >
>> >You say waterproofing. Is it a Gore type jacket or simply a dense weave
>> >water resistant nylon jacket? If the former you can get re
>> >waterproofing materials to either wash in to the jacket or to spray on
>> >after the washing. If the latter you need only to wash it with a mild
>> >detergent and it will be fine.
>>
>> Ah, I found the care tag. 100% polyester. Machine wash cold on gentle
>> cycle, mild detergent, do not dry clean or bleach. Line dry. Iron on
>> reverse side low temperature.
>>
>> I guess I don't need to worry about waterproofing. Probably why it
>> never did a very good job as a rain coat.
>
> I'd skip he iron on reverse side part. I've washed jackets and vests
> lots of times and never found that step necessary. Unless you plan to
> wear it to a formal occcasion, of course ;-)
>
>