Waterproofing

miket-62

Hiya Cjaps
I've just bought myself a new waterproof ALTURA jacket and I want to get the best out of it.
Waterproof wise
Whats the best way to keep it waterproof?
What about washing techniques etc
I've heard all sorts of strange advice. Don't wash. Wash only in plain/clear water etc
Please help
Ta

chris_mbuk

i have a waterproof altura jacket, black zip up one, i dont wash it i leave it to dry if it gets rained on and just brush off the dry mud, i wear a fox linen top over it ya see so i use the jacket to keep warm kinda thing

miket-62

Dont you ever wash it?

wop

For cleaning wash it in Nikwax/Grangers liquid cleaner Use a washing ball if you can and check that theres no dettergent/powder in the machine.

For reproofing, can you tumble dry it?
You might not need to reproof it a lot - a good way to tell is, after cleaning it and the jacket is dry, tip/spray water on it - if it rolls off(beads of water rollsoff) you don't need to reproof it.
If the water aborsbs into the material (wets-out) it does need reproofing.
If you can use the grangers superpruf spray-on or washin proofer then tumble dry it.

If you cant tumble dry the jacket used Nikwax txwashin or tx spray.

I just found that i got better results with grangers stuff.

All this is to maintain the DWR (water repelency) of the jacket.( its a finish applied to the outer fabrics of all waterproof)

Basically if you wash your jacket in detergents it coats the dwr and reduces the breathability.

europeandy

comfort fabric conditioner does the same job as nikwax tx10 or grangers, just causes water to bead and roll of rather than wetting out the jacket and impairing breathability.
Nikwax is more environmentally freindly, comfort is cheaper.

miket-62

Cool Cheers Chaps!