Could someone advise on washing expensive “Goretex” jackets salopettes and drysuits

Last time I did this I used products from the manufacturer (in this case Henri Lloyd) specifically designed for the task. I also seem to remember doing a couple of washing cycles with the machine empty to get rid of any residual detergent first.

I don't think the clearning actually making the garments any cleaner
 
Thanks! Certainly my experience with carefully hand washing my Henri Lloyd dry suit is that one can more or less get some of the salt out, and with luck some, but by no means all, of the mud that forms part of any East Coast sailing activity, may come off, but that’s it!

My pre-Goretex Musto stuff goes in the washing machine and goes on for ever.
 
Surely the easiest way is to follow the washing instructions on the garment? All garments sold in the UK have to have washing instructions on them, and certainly my Gill waterproofs do. I handwash them in the bath and then let them drip dry, but the instructions will certainly vary from garment to garment as it will depend on the construction of the garment, the fabrics used to support the Goretex and so on. There isn't a one size fits all way to wash them.
 
Grangers is what a Gore Tex rep told me to use. Buy from a cycle shop for best bargain.
Looking after the Gore Tex membrane is my priority. Looking after the outer is 2nd since it can be 'repaired' with sprays and the like. The membrane cannot be repaired.
 
The best 'expert' advise will be from the manufacturers website.

The benefits of washing Gore-Tex are well known and documented. Most normal washing should not damage the Gore-Tex while cleaning it but the harder the wash the more of the surface coating will go which is why reproofing of the surface is good as well as cleaning the pores.

Once you digest that you can buy the cheaper unbranded 'techy wash and reproofer stuff as a good price. I use the Nikwax stuff.
 
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I think that would stand a good chance of completely buggering up the waterproofness and breathability. I once met a rep for one of the big companies who advised using soap flakes for washing and to be careful of reproofing products which tend to clog up the minute holes in the Goretex membrane which then becomes non breathable. the
savageseadog said:
On a tight wad tangent. Would something like a car wash and wax shampoo do?
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Minn said:
They do get dirty. But apparently if they go anywhere near even a trace of detergent, they become useless.

Waitrose sell some stuff for washing Gore-Tex items; is is safe? And can one use water softener with it?

There must be experts here.
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I use Nikwax tech wash followed by Nikwax TX.direct wash in; both in the machine. I have tried hand-washing but machine does seem to do a better job. I did look at Grangers but it needed a tumble dryer to 'set' it and as I don't have or normally require a tumble dryer it was a non starter.
 
Sandy said:
The two part Nikwax, soap and re-proofer, is brilliant. Just follow the instructions.
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This is the way to go make sure you put your machine on a quick wash with nothing in it , then do as Sandy suggests
Tumble dry on low heat will activate the Water repellant chemical on the surface of your fabric
Did this for all my Gor tex mountain equipment used for climbing , works very well
 
AntarcticPilot said:
Surely the easiest way is to follow the washing instructions on the garment? All garments sold in the UK have to have washing instructions on them, and certainly my Gill waterproofs do. I handwash them in the bath and then let them drip dry, but the instructions will certainly vary from garment to garment as it will depend on the construction of the garment, the fabrics used to support the Goretex and so on. There isn't a one size fits all way to wash them.
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If you can tell me where the washing instructions on my H-L drysuit are, I will buy you a pint.
 
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