Have been using two icebreaker tops for about 5 years now (bodyfit 260, they've had a lot of use on the hill but also dog walking, slobbing around at home and cold days standing around in fields for work. They've been outstanding.

I've recently noticed though that they are stiffening up after washing, have lost their soft feel and are wetting out far more easily in use. This was brought home to me when I happened to compare them to a new one whilst window shopping last weekend

Any suggestions for rejuvenating them or should I consign them to the workwear only draw and treat myself to new ones (that I cannot afford but Xmas is coming up.)

Lux soap flakes (or the current equivalent) and a drop of fabric conditioner? I really don't know what I am talking about here cos I don't do the washing in our house (save for shell stuff). JJ will be along soon and give you proper guidance.

I was Googling for merino recently and found Icebreaker recommend machine washing together with a pair of jeans to remove pilling and prevent itchiness.Not your stated problem,but worth a try?
(Yes-it was an admision by Icebreaker that merino could be itchy!)

Did they specify any particular make of jeans Levi, Wrangler Tescos "two pairs for £3.99" or style bootleg, stone washed etc. This is important we need this level of information. By the way was washing powder, fabric softener mentioned.


Sorry to be a pain.

Austin-this isn't a troll!Have a look on the icebreaker.com site-pick a merino garment and look at the "easy care" instructions.You'll see "wash with other hard fabrics.....".It will also answer your questions about washing powder etc.
I can't find the link specifying jeans (the hard fabric) but I can assure you I have reported it accurately!

Washing it inside out along with jeans when it's new removes the loose fibres that can irritate the skin. It does work.
I suppose you could try it with your old one, maybe it would soften it up? Wash it in ecover, grannys soapflakes or tech wash.
Just got a new icebreaker oasis crew in the post this morning in natural sheep colour :o)

I've washed them many a time with jeans as they go in with the normal wash. My other half says that it mentions jeans on the care label you get when you buy an icebreaker.

I'm allergic to fabric softener so have never used that with them.

Ptc, why do you suggest ecover, grannies or techwash out of interest? Enjoy your new top. I got an icebreaker coronet for my birthday a few weeks back. It was really hard to get hold of and the importers have run out. It's lovely. I'm a bit bemused it's on OM under baselayers as it's down as a midlayer on the icebreaker site. It would have to be darn chilly for that to be your baselayer.

The three soaps there are kind to technical fabrics, they clean gently and don't leave any unwanted chemicals in the fabric to hinder it's performance.
There's a good guide on the site somewhere covering it, it'll be findable on the home page somewhere.

I'v got some grannies for my DWR treated stuff, I'll give it a go.

Just happened to have a new Icebreaker top and the care label says No Fabric Conditioner. It doesn't mention washing with jeans though.

It also says allow for 5% shrinkage which is worrying - thats a full size according to their size chart. Will it really shrink over 2inchs in the wash? I have a couple of Chocolate Fish shirts which don't seem to have shrunk at all.

I don't think they shrink, after a wash I give the arms and torso a little stretch out while it's damp to make sure anyway.
The Icebreaker Skin 200 is so stretchy that after a couple of days wear I reckon it goes up a size.

I've washed the Icebreaker top according to the instructions on the website (cool wash : first wash on its own to remove spare fibres). Then stretched it to shape before drying flat.

And it has shrunk 2inches around the chest, 4.something% or one full size. Its very annoying that this fact isn't mentioned on Icebreaker's flash website or their equally flash packaging, but is hidden away on the care label inside.

Well I'm not moaning really - I picked it up on Ebay for £15 after the seller failed to even mention Icebreaker in his listing! And its a nice top - just a little smaller than I expected.

Not noticed any shrinkage with my Icebreaker stuff - plus it is pretty stretchy anyway.

But it does say on the back of the packs (certainly for the Skin 200 stuff) that it could shrink by up to 5%.

But (#2) don't worry - wear it - pretty sure it will stretch back 5% after you have worn it for a few minutes.

Yes.

You're half right - it does warn of shrinkage on the box.

However I don't see how if you haven't noticed any shrinkage yourself, that you can be pretty sure it will stretch back in a couple of minutes! Anyway I've been wearing it all day and just taken it off to measure it again and it is well and truly shrunk. It has indeed done as it says on the tin.

It's always a little neater after a wash, but the body or sleeves don't seem to shorten, maybe it's the weave of the fabric?
Really, after a bit of wear it's back to normal. I wear various Skin 200 longsleeves/ zipnecks all day almost every day and don't have any trouble.
Stick with it.