Sealskinz socks Vs Washing machine

marinman1

im fed up of handwashing the buggers, is it a bad idea to just fling them in the washing machine, will this ruin their waterproofing?

.blitz

Put them in on a wool wash with non-bio detergent*. Just don't expect them to come out clean

* allegedly

cgarossi

I use that Ariel Gel stuff at 30 degrees. Gets all my kit nice and clean

alfablue

The care instructions on mine say 40 degrees machine wash. What seems to kill the proofing is drying them on the radiator :oops: However, even after 3 years, the Sealskinz people just sent me a new pair when I sent them back, really just in hope.

From their FAQ's

Question :
How do I wash them?

Our Answer :
The socks and gloves are machine washable at 40 or can be washed by hand in cool water. They are NOT SUITABLE FOR WASHING AT OVER 40 degrees c

Tank-slapper

Mine get machine washed and they come out clean and waterproof. Don't boil them and don't use nasty chemicals and they will be OK. Stick them in with your foam padded shorts, gloves and windstopper which probably need gentle washing as well.

marinman1

well thats all good news then thanks

Grimy

I just chuck mine in the washing machine with sure non-bio and then hang em out to dry. smell good, still waterproof, no issues.

cee

i have two pairs and the lining has separated from the sock bit in both pairs...mind they are a good few (6 or 7) years old now

i got a pair of the gore ones last time and they are much more like an oversock... thin...so you need a pair of normal socks underneath.

deffler

Mine get washed in the machine at 40 degrees as per washing instructions. No bother

capoz77

best bet is just don't wash them :oops:


i'll get me coat

marinman1

well they are in the machine now, i'm eagerly awaiting the results. ok eager is a strong word to describe the way i feel about washing my socks, i'm sure they'll be fine going on what you've all said

Chaz.Harding

Wash them, but at 30°, or 40° MAX, but use Nikwax wash-in waterproofing. There are others, but this was the first one I found. Take a hike into your local outdoors-y, hiking type shop (see what I did there! ) and ask for Goretex waterproofing items.

8)

Chaz.Harding

Bugger, 5 mins too late! (Story of my life... )

There are after-washing treatment trigger-sprays you can get too, so if they are no longer waterproof, you can still resurect them!!

alfablue

Sorry to say but these wash-in or spray on treatments will not make a sock waterproof once the membrane is damaged. These treatments are for replenishing the water repellent coating on the surface of breathable fabrics to make water bead-up and run off, this allows the fabric to stay breathable, but the proofing of the fabric is entirely dependent on the membrane's integrity. Once a Gore-Tex or similar item leaks, it will stay leaking.

gaz047

washing machine has been fine for me
DON'T put them in the dryer, mine ended up in there and came out ideal for an action man

bomberesque

I don't use a drier, but I found the washing machine does shorten the lifespan of sealskins. I got some merino wool liners to use with them, now I change the liners each ride and only wash the gore-tex bit if they're really mucky. They don't get smelly that way as the liners take the skin and cheese and the goretex bit takes the mud and water.

They're lasting much longer now