Washing Waterproof Jackets?

designman

Ive got an Altura Pocket Rocket Jacket & at the weekend I got caught in the rain and now the jacket is dirty, ive tried cleaning the dirt off with baby wipes but no joy.... My question is what do you guys use to wash waterproof jackets?

MrChuck

I use pure soap flakes, and try and make sure there's no detergent left in the drawer in the machine.

Sammyw23

TX Direct by Nikwax - wash in cleaner and waterproofing product as normal detergent reduces its waterproofness.

Phil_D

to avoid the soap in drawer problem can you just do it in a bucket, like a hand wash?

Bobbinogs

Sammyw23 wrote:

TX Direct by Nikwax - wash in cleaner and waterproofing product as normal detergent reduces its waterproofness.

I do this, two stage with cleaner (Tech Wash) and then the waterproofer (TX Direct). Works great for cleaning and reproofing. Bit expensive to do too often but a spruce up every now and then is fine.

MrChuck

Phil_D wrote:

to avoid the soap in drawer problem can you just do it in a bucket, like a hand wash?

I suppose, but on my washing machine I can take the drawer out and get rid of the detergent, which isn't very good for the DWR on waterproofs. I expect there's still a bit hiding somewhere else but I don't lose any sleep over it.

I'm not bothered by any soap that might be left when I go back to a normal wash with detergent.

brettjmcc

Graingers do a product that both cleans and protects in one wash at 30. I use it on all my walking gear etc and have no problems.

You do need to tumble dry afterwards though to activate the waterproofing.

Phil_D

MrChuck wrote:

Phil_D wrote:

to avoid the soap in drawer problem can you just do it in a bucket, like a hand wash?

I suppose, but on my washing machine I can take the drawer out and get rid of the detergent, which isn't very good for the DWR on waterproofs. I expect there's still a bit hiding somewhere else but I don't lose any sleep over it.

I'm not bothered by any soap that might be left when I go back to a normal wash with detergent.

I'd never thought of doing that with the drawer. Cheers

skinnypunter

+1 for Nikwax products.

Best used with a tumble dryer to activate the waterproofing.

Did my jacket before the Magnificat on Sunday, and was relatively smug as a result. Until the 4 punctures...

jordan_217

brettjmcc wrote:

Graingers do a product that both cleans and protects in one wash at 30. I use it on all my walking gear etc and have no problems.

You do need to tumble dry afterwards though to activate the waterproofing.

+1

Chris James

Just to add to what people ahve already said.

If your jacket is very dirty then you CAN wash it in detergent, you just to wash it agini in soap flakes or techwash to get rid of the detergent. Rinse lots.

Then reproof using Nikwax or similar. The Graingers need heat to reactivate, Nikwax don't. Be aware that tumble drying on hot may affect the taping on your jacket.

The specialist cleaners and proofers are quite expensive.

You should be able to wash your jacket in soap flakes or techwash a few times before needing to reproof. However, if you use detergent then you will alwasy certainly need to reproof.

meanredspider

jordan_217 wrote:

brettjmcc wrote:

Graingers do a product that both cleans and protects in one wash at 30. I use it on all my walking gear etc and have no problems.

You do need to tumble dry afterwards though to activate the waterproofing.

+1

+2

And the proofing can be reactivated the same way ( in a tumble drier) a number of times before it needs reproofing again. Works very well.

meanredspider

Oh - and it's Grangers (no i) if you do an on-line search for it

MichaelW

Clean it then fit some mudguards.

daviesee

MichaelW wrote:

Clean it then fit some mudguards.

and shout at the other guys in the peleton to get theirs fitted too!

Mudguards aren't just for winter

Although I'll be damned if I am fitting them to the Master.

skinnypunter

+1 for guards.

SKS raceblades - keeping my arse clean since 2009.