How to take care of your waterproof shell garments
You can and should wash membrane fabrics! When a shell garment is clean it breathes better and all its technical features work in the best possible way.
Johanna works as an outdoor expert at our Kuninkoja store in Raisio. Johanna has been trekking and hiking since childhood, and still spends most of her free time out in the wilds.
Outdoor expert Johanna’s guide to washing membrane and shell garments
Shell garments usually consist of three main components:
The membrane of the garment provides protection against the elements. There are many tiny holes in the membrane, allowing it to breathe. When you wash the garment regularly, the holes stay open and the garment breathes like it is supposed to.
The outer material and the liner of the garment protect the membrane and improve the durability of the garment. The outer material is impregnated, which is why water gathers on its surface in beads.
Almost all shell garments are waterproof, but some are only windproof. For instance Gore-Tex, DrymaxX and HyVent are waterproof, and Windstopper is windproof. Instructions mentioned in this guide work for both types.
Washing shell garments
1. Always wash the garment turned right side out, with the zippers closed.
2. Select the water temperature according to the instruction on the care label.
3. Wash your shell garment using a liquid detergent. We recommend you use a detergent meant for shell garments, since regular detergents are often too strong for shell garments. A good shell garment detergent is, for example, Nikwax Tech Wash. You should follow the dosage instructions carefully.
4. Never use fabric softener or bleach on shell garments, because that ruins the membrane. It would be a good idea to clean out the remains of previously used detergent out of the dispenser prior to washing the shell garment.
5. You also shouldn’t spin dry shell garments.
6. In the end you should give the shell garment a good rinse.
7. After a few washes a shell garment should be re-impregnated with a shell garment impregnator.
Impregnating the shell garment
A shell garment should be impregnated when water no longer beads on it surface. Nikwax TX Direct Spray-On is suitable for all waterproof and breathable garments. TX Direct is a water based spray that impregnates the surface of the garment. One application will remain on the fabric through multiple washings. TX Direct does not contain hazardous fluorocarbons, and it is biodegradable and fireproof as well.
To achieve best possible results a shell garment should be washed prior to impregnation. You can apply the product on to damp fabric. Spray evenly from a distance of about 15 cm all over the garment. About two minutes after the application you can wipe off the surplus product with a damp cloth. Remember to check that every part of the garment has been treated and wipe off all the surplus product once again.
Wash-in waterproofing
In addition with spray-on waterproofing, there are also so-called wash-in waterproofing products that are washed into the shell garment. These washing machine products are not suitable for membrane garments that have a moisture-wicking liner fabric, since the product might weaken the breathability of the liner fabric. Wash-in products can be used on other kinds of technical shell garments.
Wash the shell garment prior to impregnation. Afterwards, place the Wash-In product into the detergent dispenser and wash the garment using a short program. After that you can dry the garment in room temperature or in a dryer at low heat setting. Unlike the old fashioned PFC-impregnators, Nikwax Tx-Direct Wash-In doesn’t need a heat treatment to be activated.
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Posted: 12.2.2020Modified: 24.2.2021