Rules and recommendations for washing membrane clothing in a machine and by hand

Ski suits, winter overalls for adults and children, jackets and pants, sports shoes made of membrane fabric are in great demand.

The thing is that this light, comfortable clothing reliably retains natural heat, removes excess moisture, and reliably protects from rain, strong wind and snow.

Proper care will help preserve the positive properties of membrane fabric and maximize the life of clothing. Read the article about how to properly and how to wash membrane clothes in an automatic washing machine and by hand.

Always check the care label on your clothes

Everything on the label is important: washing temperature, type of washing, drying method and other indicators. Synthetic fabrics are afraid of high temperatures. High temperatures cause fabrics to lose their elasticity, moisture removal and thermoregulation properties.

Clothes care icons: explanation

Each item has mini care instructions. Icons on the clothes will tell you how to wash them, whether they can be ironed, how to dry them, and whether dry cleaning is acceptable.

Garment care icons: table

Drying rules

If you want to restore the original look of a membrane jumpsuit or jacket, listen to these tips.

Capricious material after washing requires special drying conditions:

1. To dry such items, choose the most ventilated areas;
2. You should not dry clothes in the sun, as this drying method will negatively affect the diaphragm. There is also a possibility that the product will change color;
3. Never use an electric iron or iron to dry such items;
4. Do not dry clothes with a membrane near a heating radiator, and especially do not place them on a radiator.

Can the membrane be washed?

There is an opinion that clothes made of membrane fabric cannot be washed. This is mistake. Lack of washing leads to the fact that the pores of the membrane become clogged with dust and dirt and the fabric finally loses its water-repellent properties.

Membrane clothing can be washed either by hand or in a washing machine. The main thing is to follow the basic rules and recommendations:

• Before washing, be sure to study the care recommendations indicated on the product tag;
• use only special care products for membrane fabric;
• eliminate the step of soaking dirty clothes;
• wash the membrane only at low temperatures (no more than 40C);
• Rinse the item thoroughly after washing (helps avoid streaks on the fabric).

Special attention is also paid to preparing clothes for washing:

• empty all small items from pockets and clear out trash;
• fasten all buttons and zippers;
• unfasten the fur trim on the hood (if you cannot unfasten it, carefully wrap the fur in polyethylene).

To avoid damage to small accessories (buttons, snaps), they are sealed with tape during washing.

Read about how to wash a jacket made of membrane fabric here.

How to clean by hand?

Careful, delicate hand washing will help clean clothes made from membrane fabric without compromising its moisture-repellent properties.

Algorithm of actions:

1. A bathtub or large basin is filled with cool water (temperature no higher than 35C). When washing by hand, the larger the container, the better (clothes should float freely in the water).
2. Dissolve a small amount of special detergent for membrane fabric (the dosage is indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging).
3. The product is lowered into the water and washing begins with very gentle movements (slightly squeezing). Particularly dirty areas can be rubbed with laundry soap and then wiped with a soft sponge.
4. Washed clothes are thoroughly rinsed in cool water at least twice. It is very important to rinse out all the detergent to preserve the moisture-repellent properties of the membrane (as the remaining powder dries, it clogs the pores).
5. Clothes are laid out to drain and then hung out to dry.

Use washing gel, not powder

There are special “liquid” powders for sportswear and membrane clothing. Liquid detergent dissolves better and does not clog membrane pores. The powder does not always dissolve well in cool water, and sports items are usually washed at 30-40 degrees. Undissolved powder remains on clothing, gets caught in seams, and can rub or cause allergies.

In addition, products for sportswear do not contain substances that spoil synthetic fabrics, but there are special additives for dissolving sweat, salts, oils and skin creams.

Manually

Other housewives and manufacturers, on the contrary, recommend processing such things manually. Because even delicate washing can damage the membrane layer.

Therefore, you should study the label before the procedure.

For hand washing, it is allowed to use laundry soap, baby shampoo or bathing gel. You can use any liquid products that do not contain chlorine. Due to the presence of chlorine in the detergent, the jacket will begin to get wet over time.

How to wash by hand:

1. Check all pockets and check clothing for ripped seams. If there is fur, it must be unfastened or placed in a plastic bag and tied tightly so that water does not penetrate.
2. Locks begin to rust over time due to constant exposure to moisture. The zipper and pawl can be protected from moisture using tape.
3. Pour warm water into a large basin or bathtub. The temperature is the same as when washing in a machine.
4. Pour in detergent and shake until foam forms. Then place the membrane jacket in the soapy solution.
5. You need to start washing right away. Do not soak clothes. Do not rub the fabric together, take a soft brush or cloth and apply foam to problem areas. Such gentle cleaning will not lead to depressurization of the seams.
6. Once the kurta has been washed, start rinsing. The water will have to be changed more than once to thoroughly rinse the detergent.
7. There is no need to twist the jacket too much. Gently squeeze out the water and hang it on hangers so that most of the moisture flows into the bath. Then start drying.

Wash only one item at a time. Prolonged contact with water will not benefit the membrane.

Detergent for washing membrane clothes

Those who are interested in tourism, long trips, travel and sports have long been able to appreciate the amazing qualities of membrane clothing. A unique type of fabric protects from getting wet and strong wind in any weather. But most importantly, such clothes truly know how to “breathe.” She got this property thanks to the unusual membrane structure of the material. However, this kind of clothing is quite expensive and requires special care.

To preserve the quality of such items for a long time, you need to know how to properly wash membrane clothing. After all, as practice has shown, after 20 washes the thickness of the membranes narrows. This means that your wonderful breathable jacket can easily turn into an ordinary windbreaker of dubious quality.

To prevent this from happening, and to ensure that your favorite item lasts at least 5 years, you need to choose the right detergents for membrane clothing. Special gels and balms help preserve the quality of the fabric and the appearance of things. In our article we will tell you about how to choose the right shampoos for such fastidious clothes, and about the features of washing them themselves.

Products for membrane clothing

The worst and most common enemy of fabric in this case is ordinary household powder. Very often, people, not knowing how to wash membrane clothes, use it in conjunction with an air conditioner. Under no circumstances should this be done. As a result, damaged clothes await you, since membranes clogged with powder will no longer be able to exchange air and remove water vapor to the outside.

Also prohibited for washing membrane clothing are any chlorine-containing powders and gels. They contribute to the destruction of the protective water-repellent layer of the fabric, and as a result, the clothes will begin to get wet.

To ensure reliable protection for your favorite things, you should use special care products for membrane clothing. Today there are many different gels and balms for washing, impregnations that allow you to preserve the appearance and quality of these things for a long time. The most popular detergents for washing membrane clothing today are:

1. Nikwax Tech Wash
   . It can be purchased at any specialized equipment store. The detergent is suitable for removing dirt and helps restore the “breathable” and water-repellent functions of the fabric. Nikwax impregnation restores the lost functions of air exchange and protection from moisture and wind.
2. Perwoll Sport & Active
   in the form of a gel for washing membranes not only preserves all the functions of clothes, but also gives them an amazing aroma.
3. DOMAL Sport Fein Fashion
   washing liquid helps to reliably preserve all the properties of clothing.
4. Woly Sport Textile Wash
   provides all levels of fabric protection: from wind, water and air.
5. NordLand
   balm also perfectly helps to preserve all the specific properties of the fabric.

Top 5 best cleaning liquids

A properly selected, high-quality membrane washing agent will help you achieve an ideal result, while maintaining the fabric’s ability to retain heat and remove moisture.

Rating of the most effective detergents for washing membrane clothes:

1. 
   Textile Wash Plus Woly shampoo is an effective product that preserves the moisture-repellent layer and the structure of the porous membrane.
   Suitable for both hand and machine washing. It perfectly removes any dirt and unpleasant odors, while maintaining the brightness of the color of the fabric.

2. Washbalsam gel is an ideal product for washing thermal underwear, products made from membrane fabrics, and sports shoes. Gentle treatment of the fabric will help preserve the structure of the membrane and the shape of the product. Removes any dirt and odors well.
3. Gel Laska Activ Fresh will help maintain the structure of porous membrane fabric even when washed in hard water. Suitable for both hand and machine wash. The fairly large volume of the bottle and low price make Laska Activ Fresh gel very popular among consumers.
4. Salton Sport shampoo penetrates deeply into the pores of the membrane, cleaning clothes not only from dust and dirt, but also from unpleasant odors. Suitable for any type of washing, requires thorough rinsing.
5. Denkmit Fresh Sensation gel is an excellent product for washing membrane fabrics from a German manufacturer.
   Removes any dirt (even old and ingrained ones), removes unpleasant odors. Economical consumption and affordable price make this product attractive to consumers. Features of use: Denkmit Fresh Sensation, together with dirt, removes water-repellent impregnation on fabric, therefore, after using the gel, clothes must be treated with a special impregnation.

The video will tell you how to wash membrane clothes:

Washing Gore-tex, Windstopper, Texapore and other membranes

All the tips from our article are also suitable for membrane items. There are only 2 additions:

• do not dry-clean membrane items
• after washing, restore the water-repellent coating with a special impregnation
• activate the water repellent component in the membrane

To “activate” the membranes, manufacturers recommend ironing the item through a towel or placing it in a machine dryer on a gentle setting. Attention! The instructions written by the manufacturer are always more important than all advice. If the instructions recommend washing at 30 degrees and not ironing, then do so. The manufacturer knows his item best and how to care for it.

Impregnation. Restoring water-repellent properties

In the finished product, not only the membrane has water-repellent properties. The fabric must withstand the first protection against moisture; for this purpose, a special DWR impregnation is applied to it. This approach allows the outer layer to remain dry for a long time and additionally guarantees protection for its owner.

After several washes and during use, the coating gradually disappears, so it needs to be restored.

There are 2 categories of funds for this:

• Spray - spray clean item in a well-ventilated area and let it dry. The most popular products produced in spray form: Grangers Performance Repel Spray, Nikwax TX.Direct Spray. The disadvantage of this method of restoring impregnation is the high probability of uneven application.
• Special compositions - this category of impregnations works on the principle of air conditioners. During washing, add the required amount of solution to the conditioner container (for machine washing) or rinse the product separately after washing by hand. Let the clothes dry. Well-proven products on the market: Toko Eco Wash-In Proof, Nikwax TX.Direct Wash-in. These products evenly restore impregnation, since the products are completely rinsed in them.

Very important! When purchasing impregnation, pay attention to the scope of its application. Only highly specialized products are suitable for caring for membrane clothing!

How to wash a jacket with a membrane

You should start washing by inspecting the membrane jacket. You need to check the pockets, remove forgotten items, disconnect the detachable elements and wash them separately.

If the contamination is light, cleaning with a soft sponge is sufficient. There is no need to use detergent. Simply wipe with a damp sponge.

How to wash a membrane jacket in a washing machine

You cannot wash in old-style automatic machines that are not equipped with a “delicate” or “manual” mode. Algorithm of actions:

1. Place in a bag.
2. Remove other items from the drum.
3. Pour washing gel into the container.
4. Set the mode to “delicate”, “manual”, “silk”. These programs have a temperature of 30˚C and minimum drum speed.
5. Wash with set repeat rinse.

Before you wash your membrane jacket in the washing machine, you should check it for mold and dirt. It is advisable to wipe the drum with a clean cloth.

How to wash a membrane jacket by hand

It is better to wash the product by hand if you have time. This procedure is more gentle, eliminates intense friction and is suitable for membrane jackets with any degree of contamination.

We recommend reading: How to remove stains from grapes: how to remove stains

Fill a basin with water at a temperature of up to 40 °C. Dilute the detergent composition. Then you can wash it. Place the clothes in a basin and, using a soft sponge or cloth, lightly rub the dirty areas, then remove the remaining soap solution with water.

Advice! If some stains do not disappear, you can use a brush. Do not press hard, rub dirty areas with light movements.

When the wash is finished, rinse the item under running cold water until foam stops coming out of the fabric. If the dirt does not disappear the first time, you can wash it twice in a row.

How to dry?

The main condition for proper drying of membrane clothing is no twisting or stretching (as a result of such actions, the structure of the porous membrane is disrupted, after which the clothing finally loses its positive characteristics).

To properly dry clothes, you must follow some rules:

• dry clothes made of membrane fabric only on a horizontal surface (table, ironing board, dryer) or on hangers;
• place the product to dry away from direct sunlight and heat sources;
• dry the fabric until the moisture has completely evaporated.

You can speed up the drying process if you wrap the still damp clothes in a terry towel and lightly press with your hands to remove excess moisture.

It is very convenient to hang membrane clothes on hangers to dry, while the jacket and trousers are hung separately. If the jacket has a hood, unfasten it and dry it separately.

Well-dried clothes are stored in a closet on hangers. Before sending clothes for storage, they are placed in a special cover (protects the fabric from dust).

Special care products for sportswear

Detergents

• Woly Sport Textile Wash
• Washing liquid Holmenkol Textile Wash
• New water-repellent detergent Holmenkol Wash Proof
• Spray cleaning for non-machine washable items Grangers Universal Spray Cleaner

Impregnations for membranes

• Woly impregnation
• Water- and dirt-proof impregnation Holmenkol Hightec Proof

Detergents

With the purchase of membrane clothing, the issue of purchasing special detergents (as well as impregnation) will definitely become relevant, since they are the ones who can extend the service life of products. Regular powder does not cope with cleaning the pores of the membrane and can even ruin the external water-repellent DWR impregnation on the fabric.

Many manufacturers recommend their own brands for care, but it is not necessary to follow these instructions due to the versatility of the products on the market. Among the most popular: • Woly Sport TEXTILE WASH PLUS – a universal care product for membrane clothing, restores the functions of the membrane, equally suitable for both machine and hand washing;

Adviсe

When washing, follow these recommendations:

1. 
   In case of local contamination, clothes made of membrane fabric do not need to be washed completely. Simply wipe the stain with a lip moistened with liquid detergent.

2. Additional treatment with aerosol impregnation helps restore the protective properties of the membrane of clothing that was mistakenly washed with powder containing sulfates.
3. It is strictly forbidden to wash membrane clothing in hot water (temperature above 40C). Under the influence of high temperatures, the pores shrink, and the fabric finally loses its ability to retain heat and wick away moisture.
4. The membrane cannot be unscrewed in a washing machine. Only manual spinning is allowed, without twisting or pulling.

If you want to learn how to wash outerwear, take a look here.

How to care for clothes made of membrane fabric, video tips:

How not to wash clothes with a membrane

The membrane washing agent should not spoil its unique properties. Therefore, manufacturers of such clothing clearly state the requirements for the composition of the detergent.

1. Do not use chlorine-based shampoos. They not only irreversibly destroy the moisture-repellent layer, but can also ruin the color of the product.
2. Do not use cleaners based on strong chemicals. Thus, some aggressive enzymes perceive membrane impregnation particles as foreign, which need to be gotten rid of.
3. You cannot use oxygen bleaches; they tightly clog the pores of the membrane, and it loses its main property - to breathe.
4. Do not wash with powders such as Ariel, Tide, intended for regular washing. Even if the product is delicate, it will not be able to clean the membrane and maintain its integrity.
5. Any ordinary washing gels are strictly contraindicated. The liquid base from which these products are made contains an increased level of active ingredients. For the same reason, do not try to experiment with liquid soap.
6. Laundry soap with chlorine. Soap may well become a lifesaver for the owner of innovative clothing, but when paired with chlorine it turns into a destroyer of the membrane layer.

Rules of care

Having found out everything about washing clothes, it is worth knowing that there are a number of rules regarding drying, ironing and subsequent care.

Drying

Items made from such fabric should not be wrung out in a machine or twisted by hand, as this can lead to disruption of the membrane properties and micro-tears. Immediately after washing, you need to hang your windbreaker or overalls on hangers over a large container (bathtub, basin) so that the water can drain from it. But it is not recommended to keep it in a vertical position until it dries completely.

The item of clothing should be laid out horizontally, placing several layers of hygroscopic fabric (terry towel, sheet) underneath it. It is recommended to immediately remove all folds and smooth out dents.

Such clothing should not be placed on a radiator (another heat source), in close proximity to it or in direct sunlight. The room should be warm enough and not too humid. In addition, it is necessary to ensure free air circulation. Some items can be dried in an electric dryer operating in gentle mode.

Ironing

When it comes to ironing membrane items, approaches vary. Some experts say that any temperature treatment damages the membrane, which means that using an iron is contraindicated. Others argue that it is possible to iron such clothes, but in a special way: you should place a terry towel folded in several layers on top of the jacket or trousers and set the iron to the minimum temperature. In the same way, you can speed up the drying of wet clothes.

Impregnation

Caring for these clothes includes periodic application of impregnation. This is necessary to maintain the properties of the material, since the protective composition with which it was treated at the time of production is gradually wiped off and washed. As a result, clothing loses its resistance to moisture.

Impregnations are available in the form of aerosols and liquids. In the first case, you need to spray the drug onto the fabric, and in the second, rinse the item in the prepared solution. The wardrobe item must be pre-cleaned. After this treatment, the shade of the product may change slightly.

How often should the impregnation be used? The ideal option is after each wash. If this is not possible, the drug should be used when the tissue begins to lose its characteristics.

Membrane technology is a unique development that allows us to produce lightweight, waterproof, warm and comfortable outerwear. With proper care, such things can last a long time. Don't wash them too often. For minor stains, dry cleaning is best.

If washing becomes necessary, it is important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations. During storage, it is better to use special bags or bags to protect clothes from dust

Share Like Share Tweet Pin