On Mon, 15 Mar 2004, it was written:
> erm, not exactly sure of the full technical story on this
> but I think fabric conditioners do something at the
> molecular level that revolves around reducing electrical
> charge between fibres, molecules, etc.. The upside of
> which your clothes feel softer, the downside of which they
> lose their [natural] water repelancy.
Out of interest if clothes are accidentally washed with
fabric conditioner and lose their natural water repellance
is there a way to restore it? Are we talking about fabrics
which cause water to bead and roll off (canvas type fabric)
or other, more fleecy fabrics which are water resistant but
which still absorb water to a degree?
I have some fleecy Polartec walking trousers which state
not to use conditioner but they are not water repellant to
any great degree and easily become wet (and dry quickly)
if it rains. How would washing with conditioner affect
those and what remedial action could be taken if it
happened by accident?
--
Chris