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What is the best way of washing your outerwear without wrecking DWRs, etc.?
LOL. Well observed!waterproof items tend to just float around.
Yeah, good luck with this. Pretty soon we'll be back to Johnson Woolen Mills for everything.What is the best way of washing your outerwear without wrecking DWRs, etc.?
As far as washers, I think front loader is going to be superior to top loader; And even then, if you are to do 5 or 6 garments to get a Full Large load that will work better than doing a small load with only 1 or 2 items.
So obviously, this means you need to go out and get 3 full ski outfits rather than just the 1 jacket and 1 pair of pants.
Do you suppose they are saying, "don't really use it", or "it still works fine no matter how filthy it gets"? Seems like it would have to be one of those two.From Colorado Freeride Systems
Jackets
We recommend never washing your laminate jacket. Yes, that's right. Although, our fabric manufacturers do not supply this information to us, we have found that the saturating of any premium fragile high grade water proof breathable (wpb) membrane with water and detergent, will destruct its performance qualities and most likely result in a delimitation of the fabric face/ membrane and interior layers. That may occur with one wash or take several to achieve. It depends on type of detergent, type of machine and wash cycles. Saturation will occur either due to natural deterioration of DWR and or through needle holes in jacket construction. Regular outdoor use does not lead to delamination unless DWR has been worn away and or use of rubbing from things such as back pack shoulder straps, waist and chest belts occurs.
Furthermore retreating DWR repellent with products such as Nikwax, and other similar do not produce OEM level results.
If you absolutely must wash. follow the care guidelines found on Tek Wash bottles. However, we have seen very negative results from washing fragile wpb membranes.
A lot also depends on your washer too; if you want to get into details
I've found I have to semi-handwash and use a washtub quish the item with some of the detergent and handwork some of the especially stained/sweaty parts; otherwise the machine cycle does not get great results (top loader though, "bulky" cycle); and waterproof items tend to just float around.
As far as washers, I think front loader is going to be superior to top loader; And even then, if you are to do 5 or 6 garments to get a Full Large load that will work better than doing a small load with only 1 or 2 items.
So obviously, this means you need to go out and get 3 full ski outfits rather than just the 1 jacket and 1 pair of pants.