https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-water-repellent-items Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 31 May 2026 18:22:02 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-water-repellent-items#post-1476706 Sat, 18 Apr 2015 22:17:18 +0000 Louise 1476706@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I use Nikwax tech wash <a href="http://www.nikwax.co.uk/en-us/products/productdetail.php?productid=677" rel="nofollow">http://www.nikwax.co.uk/en-us/.....ductid=677</a> on all my waterproof gear and every so often re waterproof with the tx direct wash in </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-water-repellent-items#post-1476672 Sat, 18 Apr 2015 19:48:46 +0000 Nebraskim 1476672@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I got some special detergent for GoreTex at REI and have also seen at big Eddie Bauer stores. This may also be available at big sporting goods stores like Scheel's, Dick's, Cabela's, Bean, etc. I don't remember the name but REI's customer service folks should be able to help you. It did seem to do a good job on my GoreTex jacket. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-water-repellent-items#post-1476657 Sat, 18 Apr 2015 18:41:18 +0000 Anonymous 1476657@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all SO MUCH! </p> <p>Kkards, I'm glad to hear the washes don't make your items slimy. </p> <p>Staysfit, great to learn you use these products so successfully. </p> <p>Rabbit, I appreciate the brand name, nice to know a specific item that works. </p> <p>Gaylene, fantastic tip on tumbling after the jacket's dry. I never would have known that. I do have a front loader and agree about the wear and tear (I actually wash my grandmother's vintage cashmere in mine!)</p> <p>Again, I'm so appreciative. I had no idea where to go on this and now I have all this expert advice! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-water-repellent-items#post-1476622 Sat, 18 Apr 2015 17:21:44 +0000 Gaylene 1476622@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've home laundered outdoor, water-repellant hiking and ski wear for years without any problems. </p> <p>I machine wash using warm water and a permanent press cycle using a small amount of liquid (never powdered!) detergent which does not contain any additives like fabric softeners, conditioners, scents, stain removers or bleach. Woolite actually works quite well, but I've also used my regular, non-scented, HE liquid detergent without any problems. I pre-treat any spots that are especially dirty (usually collars, pocket openings, and cuffs) with a tiny amount of the liquid detergent or a sliver of pure laundry soap. I also use a double rinse to make sure all soap residue is gone. It's the soap residue, additives, and chlorine bleach which cause the problems, so, if you avoid them, you'll be fine. </p> <p>Front load washers are the best, but, if you have a top loader, then cut back on the high spin cycle because it can be hard on the seams and fabric. </p> <p>You can line-dry or tumble dry it on a warm, gentle cycle. Once it is dry, tumble dry your garment for 20 minutes to reactivate the water-repellent treatment on the outer fabric. After several washings, you might need to re-apply the water-resistant finish. You can pick up a can of the stuff in any reputable outdoor shop. The product comes in a spray can, with directions, and is applied in a well-ventilated area. I hang my gear outside on the deck, spray, and then let the garment dry for a bit before putting the jacket back in the closet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-water-repellent-items#post-1476620 Sat, 18 Apr 2015 17:20:01 +0000 rabbit 1476620@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My husband uses a 'waterproof safe' detergent - Nikwax - &nbsp;a fair amount to wash gear. &nbsp; Things seem to come out just the same as with a regular (very mild) detergent. &nbsp;He hasn't used it on anything fleecy -- but &nbsp;my guess would be that whatever makes it mild enough to not attack waterproof gortex kinds of lining shouldn't harm anything else. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-water-repellent-items#post-1476619 Sat, 18 Apr 2015 17:19:43 +0000 Staysfit 1476619@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I use sport washes also, but I purchase mine from EMS. &nbsp;I'm not sure how they effect water proof items, but I do wash my water resistant running gear with them and they seem to work well. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-water-repellent-items#post-1476598 Sat, 18 Apr 2015 16:46:15 +0000 kkards 1476598@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't know anything about this detergents water proof capabilities, I do know that it won't make something "slimey", as most people use this to wash regular athletic wear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-water-repellent-items#post-1476565 Sat, 18 Apr 2015 16:00:29 +0000 Anonymous 1476565@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Has anyone ever used a special "water-repellent" laundry soap on waterproof wear? The washing instructions on my Ilse Jacobsen rain jacket specify: "use special fluid detergent for water-repellent fabric." I've never seen such a thing, though a search brought up this:<br /> <a href="http://www.rei.com/product/837238/nathan-sport-wash-laundry-detergent-42-fl-oz" rel="nofollow">http://www.rei.com/product/837.....t-42-fl-oz</a> </p> <p>Most reviews discuss its stink-removal capability rather than its ability to preserve waterproofing. (One reviewer states it even gets out sea-lion odour, which I'll bear in mind if I ever fall into an aquarium tank.)</p> <p>If anyone's used this type of laundry soap, I'm interested in whether it might make the jacket's fleece lining slimy. Thanks! </p>