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Waterproofing

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SteezyOhio
Posts: 6044 - Karma: 60
so i just walked in on my mom washing my new snow pants, after only 1 season in this crappy place of ohio, back track- friday me and a friend instructor jeff went and hit this rail at the kent state ice rink, got completely plastered in mud, and i brought my pants home, washed them with a wet rag, and hung them on a hanger, which broke, so i tossed them over a vacumm. now i walk in and shes pulling them out of the washer and saying its not a problem they say wash in cold water on the tag, is it true or not that snow gear losses its waterproofing after being washed?

they are just cheap brown columbia snow pants, but were new this season, i dont wash my gear cause im worried it looses the warmth and waterproofing, and in ohio it tends to be -5 and dripping water cause the sun or actually raining and 30 degrees, so warmth and water proofing are important

didnt search bar this, so flame me,  newschoolers trolls
Mar 8 2009 7:25PM
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BigJew
Posts: 6974 - Karma: 79
If you wash them with cold water on the delicate cycle it will do minimum damage to the waterproofing. Really, what's the difference between a machine putting cold water on them and you falling in the snow? The waterproofing will disintegrate over time regardless of whether you wash them or not. You can try Nikwax wash to replenish the waterproofing if you don't mind the insides becoming partially waterproof too.
Mar 8 2009 7:31PM
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Shpadoinkle
Posts: 10437 - Karma: 84
Pants lose waterproofing over time anyway. Washing them in cold water doesn't really wear it down.
Mar 8 2009 7:31PM
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BigJew
Posts: 6974 - Karma: 79
Oooh! And NEVER EVER EVER dry your outerwear.
Mar 8 2009 7:31PM
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987321654hgfd
Posts: 5133 - Karma: 5,447
I'm pretty sure its fine to wash them if it gives instructions on how to wash them on the tag. Also I've washed my snow pants multiple times and they are just as waterproof as before.
Mar 8 2009 7:31PM
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SteezyOhio
Posts: 6044 - Karma: 60
well on my last pair i realized that after a wash or 2 they lost waterproofing not cause they got we but the inside lost strenght and they ripped out litterally pocket, and they instead of pouring water on them and it beading off they just kinda did as a pair of jeans would do if water was poured on, absorb for a bit then bead off
Mar 8 2009 7:37PM
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huge-go
Posts: 1451 - Karma: 33
Why not? Drying is an important step in reactivating the DWR. And washing does not wear down the waterproofing. At least not anymore than just wearing it around would. As jackets start to get dirty, they stop beading water, and washing and drying helps keep the DWR working. Eventually, it will wear off, and you will have to re-apply the DWR.
Mar 8 2009 7:43PM
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Literature
Posts: 13673 - Karma: 3,085
Go to your local outdoor/ski shop and pick up some Nikwax TX Direct or a similar spray on DWR renewal. After washing your clothes with something like their Tech Wash, spray it on with a fairly thick coat or two, and then throw it in the dryer.

Another thing:
Do not use regular detergent with your ski gear. It will fill up the pores destroying your breathability and potentially wreck the seam taping. Get some Tech Wash or similar, and you can use your gear for much longer.
Mar 8 2009 7:48PM
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huge-go
Posts: 1451 - Karma: 33
It's not horrible to use regular detergent. You just have to do a rinse cycle after to make sure you get all the detergent out. Then you're good to go. I think with tech wash, the subsequent rinse cycle=unnecessary. And I've never heard of the seam tape thing.
Mar 8 2009 7:56PM
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