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)...?

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

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.

Ecover for everything 'non-technical'...

My skin is cr3p and falls apart if I use chemicals!

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.

A capfull of dettol as fabric conditioner keeps your polypro baselayer smelling sweet for ages!!!


Keep it away from the merino though!

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.

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!

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.

Ecover is great for tech gear especialy the low temp liquid.

Is this the stuff (just looked on Tesco.com)?

Ecover Non Bio Laundry Liquid 1.5 Litre

Looks about right to me.

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.

Okay, back to Techwash. Never had to give the choice of washing materials this much thought when Mum did everything :D

Chris, if you're shopping in Tescos look for Granny's Soap Flakes. It's fine to use on garments with DWR finishes.

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)

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.

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.

ptc, don't work as well? can you really tell the difference with a tshirt when you're sweating like crazy?

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 !