Caring for Gore-tex

alxmorgan

Hi all,

Said I'd start a new thread rather than resurrect a zombie.
Got some gore-text gear and looking for advice on care of it.

Instructions says wash at 40 and then tumble dry/steam iron
Can ye confirm that this indeed is the best way and if so how often - every week/month/only when dirty ?

Also I have read waterproofness wears off so needs to be treated.
Again how often does this need to be done and what would you recommend using in terms of wash-in/spray can/brand etc

thanks in advance

GreeBo

The gore-tex fabric will always be waterproof, however if the outer fabric gets dirty then it can lose its breathability.

Wash it whenever its dirty, tumble dry it afterwards or if it gets particularly wet.

NikWax have various products designed for waterproof clothing, they will help the water to bead on top of the fabric keeping it nice and light but wont affect the gore-tex fabric itself.

alxmorgan

GreeBo wrote: »

The gore-tex fabric will always be waterproof, however if the outer fabric gets dirty then it can lose its breathability.

Wash it whenever its dirty, tumble dry it afterwards or if it gets particularly wet.

NikWax have various products designed for waterproof clothing, they will help the water to bead on top of the fabric keeping it nice and light but wont affect the gore-tex fabric itself.

Thanks for that
I don't currently have a tumble dryer so will ironing (with a cloth between) do the trick also ?

Tweaky

I have been looking at this myself recently and I will share with you what I have found out.

As Greebo says go with the nikwax stuff - very reasonable on amazon - they have a wash in product which gets great reviews. They have a special that is bundled with a gore tex friendly cleaner as well
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikwax-Direct-Clean-Proof-Value/dp/B001RE3FSW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355926259&sr=8-1

It is also reccomended that when you are washing in the washing machine that you don't use detergent as this damages the waterproofing and breathability. Hand washing seems to be the way to go as even when you don't add detergent to your washing machine there will be soap residue from previous washes.

Not sure about the steam iron - I would let it air dry myself if I was you.

Peterdalkey

I remember reading on my Galvin Green Gore-Tex gear tags not to use fabric conditioner!! here is all the info https://www.gore-tex.com/remote/Satellite/content/care-center/washing-instructions.


Cheers

Peter

newport2

I'd definitely wash without any detergent/cleaner. Currently don't have a tumble-drier, so just hang to dry.

However, every couple of months I'll tumble-dry them at my parents, which according to Gore-tex "The heat from the dryer will help to reactivate the durable water repellent (DWR) treatment on your garment's outer fabric".

Would never iron, I'm just going to put them in my golf-bag side pocket anyway! Don't think they need ironing really.

Have 3 jackets and a trousers, 2 of which are about 10 years old and still look and work like new.

link_2007

newport2 wrote: »

I'd definitely wash without any detergent/cleaner. Currently don't have a tumble-drier, so just hang to dry.

However, every couple of months I'll tumble-dry them at my parents, which according to Gore-tex "The heat from the dryer will help to reactivate the durable water repellent (DWR) treatment on your garment's outer fabric".

Would never iron, I'm just going to put them in my golf-bag side pocket anyway! Don't think they need ironing really.

Have 3 jackets and a trousers, 2 of which are about 10 years old and still look and work like new.

I think he was going to iron them as a substitute for the heat of the tumble dryer, not so they would remain crease free!

newport2

link_2007 wrote: »

I think he was going to iron them as a substitute for the heat of the tumble dryer, not so they would remain crease free!

Ah, makes sense, here's me thinking he was a bigger poser than me!!

alxmorgan

Thanks guys for all the replies
So definitely no detergent anyway

That Nikwax stuff looks good alright

And yes I can confirm it was a replacement for tumble drying as opposed to posing