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November, 2024

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Dirtyyy

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LaaanD_FillL
Posts: 64 - Karma: 10
My jacket is dirty but un sure if washing it will ruin the waterproofing any tips thanks
Jan 4 2008 12:17PM
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Jwalk
Posts: 4647 - Karma: 134
mine has been washed and didnt seem to affect the water proofing
Jan 4 2008 12:24PM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,635
Its actually good for the waterproofing to wash it!   Well its good for the DWR chemical coating which causes the jacket to "bead".

The saying they taught us at MEC was something like "wash it lots, dry it hot"  I think you're supposed to do an extra rinse cycle (you shoudl also get proper detergent at an outdoors store if you Reeeeealy care about it). 

If you wash a down jacket, always dry it with 3-5 tennis balls in the dryer.   This fluffs the down up and maintains the loft that you need to keep warm.   Down shouldn't get wet or it loses its warmth.


Jan 4 2008 12:30PM
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yelsel
Posts: 12967 - Karma: 3,451
go to your local outdoor shop and pick up some waterproofing wash stuff. i cant recall what its called but  just ask them and they'll point you in the right direction.

if its a down jacket, do not wash it in a regular washer. you must have a front load washer. when its time for drying toss in a couple of tennis balls like bishop said but dont dry it on HIGH it will only ruin your jacket.
Jan 4 2008 12:36PM
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LaaanD_FillL
Posts: 64 - Karma: 10
its not a down jacket its more just a shell but with washing it with waterproof detergent will it ruin the jackets breathability
Jan 4 2008 12:40PM
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crabbe
Posts: 127 - Karma: 10
depends on jacket dawg
Jan 4 2008 1:05PM
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Bagels
Posts: 1022 - Karma: 1,306
Well crap, I didn't know that about down jackets.  Can you fix this by washing it again, then drying with tennis balls???
Jan 4 2008 5:16PM
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Skiing_Is_Fun
Posts: 1463 - Karma: 91
if you use tennis balls does it make your jacket smell like tennis balls?
Jan 4 2008 5:32PM
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DaLiNeRiDEr21
Posts: 3687 - Karma: 39

tennis balls wtf?

Jan 4 2008 5:38PM
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DaLiNeRiDEr21
Posts: 3687 - Karma: 39

thanks for the info

Jan 6 2008 12:15PM
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R.Fahey
Posts: 8602 - Karma: 539
http://www.backcountry.com/store/NIK0033/Nikwax-Tech-Wash.html?id=FPeGoLdR

I use it, and it's rad. 
Jan 6 2008 12:27PM
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