Washing a textile jacket

**FlyingDutchMan** · 15th June 2005, 11:15

Its has come to my attention (more to my nose than anything else) that my Orina textile motorcycle jacket is starting to smell... badly. Its only been noticable since the brass monkey. Since I've put the washing instructions in a safe place (i.e. lost) I'm wondering what I'm meant to do. So any info about washing/drying and waterproofing would be very muchly apperciated.

**vifferman** · 15th June 2005, 11:27

Remove any armour, linings, etc, then wash it with SnoSeal Sportwash (available from Motohaus, most bike shops, or a ski shop). You can do it by hand in the tub or bath, or chuck it in the machine. (Yes - really). Spin it dry in the machine then air dry it.If it's breathable fabric, then that's all you need to do. If it's not, then pick your favourite waterproofer (Scotchgard or whatever) and spray it till it's saturated, then repeat when dry. Two cans should do.

**MikeL** · 15th June 2005, 11:28

They can be washed successfully but don't use ordinary washing powder. There's a special liquid available (can't remember what it's called - got a bottle of it at home) and I think they recommend hand washing rather than machine. Take out liner, armour etc. first, then after washing drip-dry.

**MikeL** · 15th June 2005, 11:30

Sno-seal Sportwash - that's the one. Thanks Ian...

**FlyingDutchMan** · 15th June 2005, 13:02

Cheers for that, I'll be getting onto it tonight.

**erik** · 15th June 2005, 13:33

the people at motomail told me that it jackets etc with the waterproof breathable membranes shouldn't be washed in a washing machine, because the machine might damage the membrane.

There's some other stuff, Nikwax Tech Wash that's supposed to be similar to the Snoseal stuff.

**vifferman** · 15th June 2005, 13:37

Originally Posted by erik

the people at motomail told me that it jackets etc with the waterproof breathable membranes shouldn't be washed in a washing machine, because the machine might damage the membrane.

Well, the last two times I washed my Teknic jacket I did it in the machine, because it's now a Cordura/Kevlar/Leather hybrid, so breathability is irrelevant whereas waterproofing isn't.

Oh - by the way: I tried some of that SnoSeal heat-activated waterproofing stuff for breathable fabrics, and it made my jacket LESS waterproof.

**erik** · 15th June 2005, 13:43

Originally Posted by vifferman

Well, the last two times I washed my Teknic jacket I did it in the machine, because it's now a Cordura/Kevlar/Leather hybrid, so breathability is irrelevant whereas waterproofing isn't.

Oh - by the way: I tried some of that SnoSeal heat-activated waterproofing stuff for breathable fabrics, and it made my jacket LESS waterproof.

It's the breathable membrane that makes the jacket waterproof. If it gets damaged (eg ripped) it will be more breathable, but less waterproof...

Personally, I haven't had any luck trying to make jackets or pants more waterproof by using Gecko Guard, Watersheild, sealing the seams with one of those glue seam sealing things, or washing with Tech Wash. I ended up just getting new, better quality gear.

But if all you want to do is clean your gear, the Sportwash or Tech Wash should work nicely.

**FlyingDutchMan** · 15th June 2005, 16:17

Well after going to the shop, the only SnoSeal I found was for leather. So instead I got me some gecko guard. So I'll wash my jacket in warm water (this apparently does remove the water proofing, but also restores the breathability by cleaning the liner). Then spary with the water repellent to restore the water proofing, let it hang round for a couple of days, and seemingly it should be clean, smell better, breath better and be water proof. I'll wait and see to check if thats all true.

**wkid_one** · 15th June 2005, 21:38

So long as the washing liquid is detergent free - you should be fine. I would re-waterproof it afterwards as well

**Pixie** · 15th June 2005, 23:52

Originally Posted by FlyingDutchMan

Well after going to the shop, the only SnoSeal I found was for leather. So instead I got me some gecko guard. So I'll wash my jacket in warm water (this apparently does remove the water proofing, but also restores the breathability by cleaning the liner). Then spary with the water repellent to restore the water proofing, let it hang round for a couple of days, and seemingly it should be clean, smell better, breath better and be water proof. I'll wait and see to check if thats all true.

The membranes are semi-porous expanded PTFE or polyurethane materials,if you use the wrong detergent they will leak,soap included.
It must be a detergent that does not leave a residue,Sportwash or the Nik wax equivalent

**Pixie** · 15th June 2005, 23:54

Originally Posted by wkid_one

So long as the washing liquid is detergent free - you should be fine. I would re-waterproof it afterwards as well

What kind of washing liquid is "detergent free"?

**FlyingDutchMan** · 16th June 2005, 08:34

Nah I've just used purely warm water. Does quite a good job. Now to wait for the thing to dry then spary coat it & wait another couple of days for that to dry....

**Ms Piggy** · 16th June 2005, 09:24

I've always used Sportswash - as recomended by LB. I don't wash in the washing machine though, just give it a soak in the bath. Sno SEal is definitely for leather, a water proofing agent but sportswash is a cleaner for textiles. If you use Gecko Guard make sure you have a few days to hang your jacket for it to dry, when I used it I had to use my jacket the next day and it hadn't 'cured'.