HikersCorner.com

By: Mark Allen

Outdoor clothing becomes more advanced and diverse almost daily. There are many different types of materials used in their construction from fleece, to leather, and other synthetics as well. On top of that you’ve got various categories like waterproof, breathable, or waterproof and breathable combined. So how do you care for each of these without causing damage or reducing some of the clothing’s effectiveness? We’ll attempt to discuss that very thing below.

Waterproof/Breathable

Cleaning:

The overall effectiveness of your waterproof finish, known as DWR (durable waterproof repellent), is maintained with proper cleaning. Detergents like Nikwax Tech Wash are designed specifically for these garments to remove dirt and detergent residues without leaving a residue of its own. Tech Wash is safe for almost any fabric, fleece, or synthetic fiber.

Rejuvenating DWR:

One of the easiest ways to clean and enhance the waterproof qualities of rainwear is simply to use a wash in treatment. These types of detergents fully immerse your clothing ensuring complete coverage and rejuvenation of the DWR finish.

Softshell

Cleaning and Waterproofing:

Softshell outerwear is typically made of a synthetic material often with a fleece lining. Granger's G-Wash Cleaner and Granger's Wash-in Waterproofing for Synthetics is one of the few cleaning kits officially tested and licensed for Gore-Tex™ and many other synthetics like eVent™. Waterproofing can be achieved with this two part kit that is also suitable for a variety of other materials and applications.

Leather

Few things are finer than the smell of good leather. The only drawback is that leather does require some maintenance, like conditioning and maintaining water repellency. To enhance the water repellency of your favorite jackets and running shoes you might want to try Granger's G-Tec Fabric and Leather Protector. This is another item tested, licensed and approved by W. L. Gore and Associates for use on all Gore-Tex™ fabrics and membranes.

Not all leather is created equal. There is always nubuck and suede leather, which is commonly found in outdoor footwear. Grangers G-Tec Nubuck Suede Protector is a safe way to improve the water repellency of your running shoes and hiking boots without wearing down the elastic properties of the leather upper.

For cleaning your leather items, it’s generally a good idea to follow the care instructions that you will normally receive with each specific item.

Down Fill

Down filled garments and even sleeping bags will function better with the use of down specific cleaners. Washes designed for this gear will restore the loft and natural water-repellency of the down. The general recommendation is to use a large capacity commercial, front-loading machine when cleaning these items.

Examine Your Zipper

Let’s not forget our zippers. Much like tents, packs, and sleeping bags, a little zipper maintenance can go along way. After use, wipe the track with a damp cloth, examine for loose fibers that may jam the zipper, and apply a little silicone lubricant as needed to keep operating smoothly.

Sum It Up

Most of today’s adventure gear is being made of a variety of materials, which often have different suggested care instructions. The products mentioned above are all designed specifically for the materials listed, but are not necessarily required. In most cases, standard detergents are acceptable; however, general cleaners are more likely to reduce the life of your waterproof gear by leaving behind damaging residues. According to Nikwax, clothing washed with Tech Wash will retain its waterproof treatment twice as long as with ordinary detergents. As I mentioned before, virtually all of your newly purchased clothing will include cleaning instructions that if followed correctly, will improve the lifespan of your gear. Going one step beyond by using a few specific items may prolong the life even more. A variety of items for fabric and boot care can be found in the Gear Shop.

This article was written by Mark Allen of HikersCorner.com.