Gore Top Tips part three
Don't fear the washer! Can you wash your Gore-tex garments? What detergents can you use? What about ironing and tumbling?
Posted: 21 November 2001
by WL Gore
DON'T FEAR THE WASHER!
Worried about washing and - gasp -
ironing, or even tumble drying, your Gore-tex garment? Don't
be - simple maintenance will help it to perform better and
keep it in good nick for longer.
It may be the most technically advanced
fabric in the world but Gore-tex is dead easy to look after.
In fact washing helps maintain performance levels. The
cleaner the garment, the better it will breathe.
To get the most out of your pride and joy
you don't have to have a degree in laundering but there are
some basic rules to follow.
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TOP TIPS FOR WASHING
(for anyone who has trouble telling a twin tub from a front
loader)
 Always
follow care instructions - most Gore-tex garments can be machine
washed in warm water at 40-degrees C. (However it is important to
look at the Care Label as washing instructions may vary dependent on
other components in the garment.)
Any
detergent or soap can be used, though be aware that modern detergents
contain chemicals which can reduce the effectiveness of the surface
water repellent treatment (DWR). It's best to use either pure soap or
a special cleaner, but even if you do use normal powder or liquid, it
won't damage the garment and the DWR can be restored.
Clothing
can be tumble dried and ironed - well there may be someone out there
who would rather spend an evening next to the ironing board than down
the pub - the heat actually helps activate the DWR treatment so it's
a GOOD THING!
The
Gore-tex membrane (the bit that makes it waterproof and breathable)
cannot be harmed by detergents but strong detergents may deplete the
water repellent treatment (DWR) faster than mild soap products.
Don't
use fabric conditioner. It cannot affect the waterproof properties
but can accelerate the wearing out of DWR. Fabric conditioner is a
BAD THING!
(DWR is the water repellent treatment given to the outside of
Gore-tex garments and we'll cover this subject fully in another Gear
Wizard.)
Best
way to temporarily restore the water repellency - you'll notice that
rain no longer 'beads' on the outside of the jacket - is to steam
iron on warm or easier still tumble dry warm. It's the heat that
revitalises the water beading effect you see when it's raining. So
it's still a GOOD THING!
To
remove a stubborn stain, test a small hidden area with a commercial
stain remover before using it on a place that shows. You may find
certain stains have to be removed professionally.
That was just a brief overview. If you want more technical information check out www.gore-tex.com
More Gore next week
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