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Starting out?

base layer washing
 
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base layer washing
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Nick M
04/03/05 11:35
 Lowland rambler 12 forum posts 10 photos 7 reviews
ive just been reading the comprehensive care section about careing for waterproof shells, and noticed it also say fleeces and base layers, does this mean also that base layers should not be washed with a normal soap detergent and instead be washed with specialist non detergent products (nikwax,grangers)...?
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Kev The Nasty Meanie
04/03/05 11:46
 Scottish ice ace 2885 forum posts 17 photos 1 review 36 bookmarks
I wash ALL my outdoor stuff using either Nikwax Techwash or Grannies soap flakes. Normal detergent should be avoided like the plague, IMHO.

HTH

KD
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Chris Townsend
04/03/05 14:36
 Lowland rambler 2422 forum posts
I use Ecover washing powder with base layers and socks. They're not water repellent and I don't want them to be water repellent (it means they won't wick) so a mild detergent is fine.
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MarkyB
04/03/05 15:09
 Lowland rambler 811 forum posts 5 photos 9 reviews
Ecover for everything 'non-technical'...

My skin is cr3p and falls apart if I use chemicals!
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Jon Doran
04/03/05 15:18
 Scottish ice ace 9602 forum posts 59 photos 5779 articles 10 reviews 14 bookmarks
Yep, what Chris said. Most modern baselayers work because of the structure of the fabric fibres so are okay with a normal detergent. There are a few exceptions that still use treatments - Patagonia capilene for one - which would probably benefit slightly from using soap-based cleaners, but do fine without to be honest.

Just so there's no confusion, Ecover, while green and that, isn't suitable for washing waterproofs or anything else with a DWR treatment.
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Mark Edis
04/03/05 21:34
 Lowland rambler 132 forum posts 12 photos 1 review 1 bookmark
A capfull of dettol as fabric conditioner keeps your polypro baselayer smelling sweet for ages!!!


Keep it away from the merino though!
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Tom Hughes
05/03/05 21:18
 Lowland rambler 67 forum posts 25 reviews 1 classified
Don't tumble dry HH Prowool base layers, 'max shrinkage 6%' my *rse! More like 60! Its TINY! (luckily so am I, so now its just a bit small, but all the same, its still a poor idea.
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ChrisB
09/03/05 11:27
 Lowland rambler 156 forum posts 1 photo 1 review 1 classified
Would the "SmartDry water resistant finish" on Craghopper Kiwi trousers be classed as DWR?

I've got a basket full of gear to wash and was wondering if I can do one wash which includes my new Yukon top, troosers and some baselayer T's.

Suggestions welcome!
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Cara-Lyn: Stealth Sloth
09/03/05 11:35
 Lowland rambler 3469 forum posts 66 photos 1 article 2 reviews
My MHW baselayer actually says on the label not to wash in detergent. So it gets Techwashed with all the other kit. The only outdoor things that do not get Techwashed are my fleeces (because they are cheap and non-technical) and my socks!

Chris - yes, SmartDry treatment would be stripped with detergent - use Techwash or pure soap flakes.
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Jules, aka Tigger
09/03/05 12:12
 Lowland rambler 7121 forum posts 2 bookmarks
Ecover is great for tech gear especialy the low temp liquid.
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ChrisB
09/03/05 12:20
 Lowland rambler 156 forum posts 1 photo 1 review 1 classified
Is this the stuff (just looked on Tesco.com)?

Ecover Non Bio Laundry Liquid 1.5 Litre
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Jules, aka Tigger
09/03/05 12:21
 Lowland rambler 7121 forum posts 2 bookmarks
Looks about right to me.
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Chris Townsend
09/03/05 12:24
 Lowland rambler 2422 forum posts
As Jon has pointed out Ecover shouldn't be used on garments with a DWR finish. It still contains surfactants and other things that will damage or mask the DWR.
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ChrisB
09/03/05 12:34
 Lowland rambler 156 forum posts 1 photo 1 review 1 classified
Okay, back to Techwash. Never had to give the choice of washing materials this much thought when Mum did everything :D
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Chris Townsend
09/03/05 12:41
 Lowland rambler 2422 forum posts
Chris, if you're shopping in Tescos look for Granny's Soap Flakes. It's fine to use on garments with DWR finishes.
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Parky Again
09/03/05 12:48
all my baselayer stuff, socks and trousers get washed in the "normal" manner. yes, detergent strips out any dwr finish on trousers (mhw, fjaell raven, craggies) but as that will wear/wash out anyway i'm not concerned as everything dries quickly anyway. as for t shirts etc...is there any difference that you will actually notice?
the only no no is fabric conditioner which really screws things up.
tech wash is saved for the important keeping me dry bits and pieces plus anything i've proofed (polar proof a cheap fleece and see the difference)
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Kat Jones
09/03/05 17:43
 Lowland rambler 851 forum posts 21 reviews 3 classifieds
Have washed merino wool in ecover non-bio powder. Turned out fine. Also used Persil silk and wool wash (clear liquid). Turned out fine.

Gets a bit pricey if you use techwash for non-shell stuff.

I use ecover bio on my really muddy trousers-gets them clean but treats them kind.
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ptc *
09/03/05 17:51
 Lowland rambler 6181 forum posts 86 photos 13 reviews 3 bookmarks
Mr Bored, I have done in the past as you suggest, and yes, you really notice the difference.
Base layers washed in detergent don't work as well and smell bad much quicker, however a quick go with the tech wash straightens them out and it's back to the soap flakes for a happier life.
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Parky Again
09/03/05 18:28
ptc, don't work as well? can you really tell the difference with a tshirt when you're sweating like crazy?
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ptc *
09/03/05 18:36
 Lowland rambler 6181 forum posts 86 photos 13 reviews 3 bookmarks
You really can, in the winter I wear my mountain underwear to work and to save money and hassle I was washing it in regular stuff, bold/ persil etc, after a couple of washes I would wear it and by the middle of the day I was honking.
After tech washing it it was back to normal, so now I use the soap flakes, or sometimes the persil wool stuff which seems not too bad.
It seems like the detergent blocks up the wicking/breathing of the fabric.
Coolmax is the worst offender, xstatic resists longer as does capilene but I wouldn't dream of putting my Icebreaker in the nasty stuff-too dear by far to risk it !
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