That old reproofing chestnut...

jinch

jinch

Ultralighter
I know this has been hacked to death elsewhere before, but thought I'd ask the more learned types that inhabit this forum.

I picked up a Goretex Pro Shell jacket last week that was a bit grimey, so I thought I'd give it a wash and a reproof while I was on.

I didn't have any Techwash or the like and couldn't be arsed to wait, so following Goretex's instructions I washed it in liquid detergent (Ecover Laundry Liquid). I ran it through a rinse cycle twice. Once it was reasonably dry, I hung the jacket in the shower and gave it a good dousing all over with TX Direct spray.

I don't have a tumble dryer, so I hung it in our boiler cupboard (which gets rather warm - easily warm enough to dry damp clothes from the washing machine) and left it overnight.

Next morning, having dealt with the "where's that stink of vinegar coming from?" questions I quickly tried the jacket with some spray from the showerhead. Seemed great - water beaded and ran off no problem.

Today, I finally got to try it in the wet and at first it was fine. After only a couple of minutes of moderate rain, though, I noticed that it was starting to wet out again. Humph.

So...
Have I simply done a duff job?
Is the wash in stuff more effective?
Can you not really expect to get back to a decent DWR finish?
 
Mole

Mole

Thru Hiker
Like you say, it's been done to death on Outdoors magic and everywhere else. There is good info there.


basically, for best results:

clean it properly- totally -

if really greasy/dirty you will have to use detergent, it needs washing off totally before reproofing
(as a user of ecover for many years, I can tell you it isn't going to do the job!)
rinse it totally
clean your machine of detergent

then clean jacket again with liquid soap or Techwash -to remove detergent
rinse it totally

reproof. As per instructions.
Wash-in is best for 3 layer membranes and essential for paramo
Spray-on best for coated stuff and for correct functioning, essential for things like Pile n Pertex and Vapourise etc.
 
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Teepee

Teepee

Thru Hiker
Like most of us on here have done before, you've done a duff job. Start again. :DI've just read the ingredients on the Ecover bottle you used, sounds a bit detergenty to me and the 'fibre protecting polymer' raises questions.

Detergents mask the DWR's effect, they need removing with soap.

Not much to add to Moles advice, except to stress the rinsing even more. All traces of detergent need to be removed from the machine/bucket/jacket..

If the jacket hasn't had much wear, it shouldn't need additional DWR adding-it will have a flourocarbon DWR face finish that is reactivated by heat, and should be able to take several washes before needing a top up.

FWIW, I don't use wash in for membranes at all, only spray on. ( I make my own from TX-Direct wash-in, just dilute 9-1 and put in a spray bottle, same as Nikwax recomend for Cotton proof, works as well as spray on IME)

I don't use Tech wash either, just a liquid soap that most of the supermarkets sell. Wool and silk washes often work well too.
 
jinch

jinch

Ultralighter
Teepee said:
Like most of us on here have done before, you've done a duff job. Start again. :DI've just read the ingredients on the Ecover bottle you used, sounds a bit detergenty to me and the 'fibre protecting polymer' raises questions.

Detergents mask the DWR's effect, they need removing with soap.

Not much to add to Moles advice, except to stress the rinsing even more. All traces of detergent need to be removed from the machine/bucket/jacket..

If the jacket hasn't had much wear, it shouldn't need additional DWR adding-it will have a flourocarbon DWR face finish that is reactivated by heat, and should be able to take several washes before needing a top up.

FWIW, I don't use wash in for membranes at all, only spray on. ( I make my own from TX-Direct wash-in, just dilute 9-1 and put in a spray bottle, same as Nikwax recomend for Cotton proof, works as well as spray on IME)

I don't use Tech wash either, just a liquid soap that most of the supermarkets sell. Wool and silk washes often work well too.
Click to expand...

B*ll*cks. Back to the drawing board then.

Teepee - doing my best to look like a simpleton here but does "liquid soap" have an alternative name in a supermarket? Any searches I do just pulls up handwash stuff. I couldn't see anything in Sainsbury's the other week, hence went for the Ecover.

I know there's soap flakes that have been recommended too, but if I can pin down a liquid version all the better.
 
Teepee

Teepee

Thru Hiker
Annoying isn't it? :)

Waitrose carry it as own brand 'Liquid soap' for delicates and outerwear. Gives as good results as Tech wash, just needs an extra rinse or so. Have used Woolite before too with good results.

I always find soap flakes take ages to rinse out.
 
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jinch

jinch

Ultralighter
Mole said:
Jinch
search for this:
http://www.dri-pak.co.uk/liquid-soap-for-laundry.html#.VMkcyC7-mro
Tescos do it, as do my local hardware shop.
Click to expand...

Just as an update for anyone else, this stuff seems to be a bugger to find in the shops. I've tried four big Tesco's (plus every other supermarket chain I've been in) and they don't stock it. Had to buy it through Amazon in the end, and I'm about to tackle some gear tonight with it so will see how I get on.
 
cathyjc

cathyjc

Thru Hiker
Jinch I found some at my local 'old fashioned family' hardwear store. Came with a friendly smile too :).
 
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