Washing Sportful 'No Rain' fabrics...

luv2ride

Hi. After some advice. Bought a Sportful Fiandre No Rain jacket at Christmas. Used a quite a few times, has seen off one shower and it performed brilliantly with water beading off, etc. However, it got a bit whiffy under the arms with use so gave it a quick wash at 30 degrees (as per label) and allowed to drip dry. Used a small amount of Halo Sportswash, and washed it along with other cycling kit. Care label has no specific instructions other than 30 degree wash and no spin.

Since the wash I've noticed that water doesn't bead nearly as well as before, and the material seems to saturate quickly. This is based on a "dribbling tap test" rather than being out in a proper shower, although I also tried this when I first tried it on and was impressed with the way the water beaded off it then...

Should the water repellent properties really be so comprised after a single wash, especially after I followed the care label? :?

Has anyone else had a similar experience with their Sportful No Rain garments, or the Fiandre jackets in particular? cheers

dilatory

This seems to be par for the course with water resilient fabrics, most labels advise you re-apply some sort of spray after a wash.

I know some things I've owned said once dry to put them on a tumble-dryer spin (just found this http://www.gore-tex.co.uk/remote/Satell ... repellency too) to re-activate.

Bozman

Low heat in the tumble dryer.

luv2ride

Thanks chaps! Will give that a go...

Garry H

Bozman wrote:

Low heat in the tumble dryer.

This.

You didn't use softener, did you?

edten

ive found all these no rain type fabrics have a pretty short shelf life as far as water repellence. Washing with nikwax restores it but pain in the arse considering how often cycle gear is washed. Still it does seem that they dont hold quite as much water when they do get drenched.

luv2ride

In case anyone is similarly afflicted with uncertainty for washing their Sportful No Rain garments, I see they have now updated the care instructions on there website:

"Sportful waterproof and water resistant jackets or vests (products using Superleggera DWR, NoRain, Softshell, Gore-Tex, Windstopper etc.) should be cleaned with a specialist detergent that cleanse the membrane fabric without damaging the fabrics functionality. Detergents for this purpose can be purchased in outdoor shops, large cycle retailers and online. Look for brands like Nikwax and Grangers which will be labeled with the type of product they are suitable & often endorsed by the fabric manufacturer.
Some of these garments have also been treated with a Durable Water-Repellant finish (DWR) keeping the outer fabric from becoming saturated so that breathability is not affected. This coating should be replenished periodically. Follow the specific product instructions for best results with the treatment, recommended brands include - Grangers, Nikwax TX-Direct and Tectron DWR Treatment. DWR can also be applied to NoRain products to increase the water repellency."

http://www.sportful.com/productcare

Hope this helps someone - my Hot Pack No Rain Stretch jacket has just gone in the washer so let's hope it works! White waterproof jackets in winter, mmmm

wishitwasallflat

It's always either cool tumble dry or cool iron to restore DWR surfaces (makes the rain drops bead and run off) on these fabrics e.g. GoreTex is cool tumble dry while e-vent and unbranded 3 layer ptfe version is cool iron.

lakesluddite

Slightly off topic, but having read this thread, last night I tried the warm iron/tea towel method on my Gabba and Nanoflex bib-shorts to see if I could restore the beading properties of the fabric - I suspect the treatments are very similar to No Rain stuff (of which the only thing I have are leg warmers). My Gabba was pretty damp on the inside last friday evening after a wettish 1 hour commute, and I don't have a tumble dryer, so I hope it works!

luv2ride

Just to say I washed the Hot Pack No Rain stretch jacket with Halo Sportswash and didn't get around to spraying XT re proofer on it afterwards. However I've just checked it and water still beads off it brilliantly, so hopefully good to go for a few rides yet.

My No Rain Fiandre softshell jacket on the other hand was beading well when bone dry (hadn't been used in months) but after another recent wash the arms seem to "wet out" pretty quickly, so back to my original post!

Philly8mt

I bought some own brand sports wash and re proofing spray from Tesco, under a tenner for both.

Washed my Gabba's really well and they dodge water better than a tramps armpits!

Def recommend them

Markat26

I have found from experience anything with a DWR needs to be washed with a detergent free agent. This excludes most supermarket washing liquids. Never use softeners. It's not too bad to use Nikwax and Grangers on my Hiking jackes as that is only needed infrequently but cycling jackets may be trickier.
I use pure soap flakes. Hard to find in a supermarket but available on line. Then tumble dry low. Best to rinse out any detergent from the machine first with an empty wash or just hand wash. If you have stripped the DWR already it can be reapplied with a reproofer from outdoor store something like Nikwax TX direct.
This all works for usual DWR garments I don't imagine cycling ones being too different.
Loads of advice for this on outdoors websites like outdoors magic or UKC.