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Arc'teryx - GORE-TEX Wash Tutorial

by Blog Updates |

 

Why you should clean your Arc'teryx GORE-TEX® garment

Arc'teryx GORE-TEX® garments are designed to provide exceptional weather protection and breathability. Routine care and maintenance ensures the optimum performance of your Arc'teryx GORE-TEX® garment.

Build-up of dirt and other surface contaminants such as body oil, sunscreen and sweat can reduce the effectiveness of the textile's durable water repellent (DWR) treatment, affecting performance and breathability. Dirt allows water molecules to be drawn into the face fabric, saturating or 'wetting out' the fabric and leading to increased levels of condensation on the inside of the garment.

Properly washing your Arc'teryx GORE-TEX® removes dirt and other contaminates from the garment, restoring its water repellency and breathability.

When to wash your Arc'teryx GORE-TEX® garment

When to wash depends on how often and how hard you use your gear. For heavy activity we suggest washing after every 10 to 12 days of use, and for light activity wash every 20 to 30 days of use. Use your best judgment; if your garment looks dirty, or you are starting to feel damp or clammy, or your garment is no longer shedding water and is wetting out, it's time to wash and dry. Take care of your gear and it will take care of you.

How to wash your Arc'teryx GORE-TEX® garment

Choose a free rinsing soap or non-detergent cleaning agent to wash your Arc'teryx GORE-TEX® garment. We recommend using a cleaning agent made specifically for GORE-TEX® fabrics. Outdoor specialty retailers carry various brands. We recommend Grangers® Performance Wash (grangers.co.uk), Fibertec Pro Wash (www.fibertec-waterproofing.de), ReviveX® Synthetic Fabric Cleaner (www.mcnett.com).

The recommended Gore-Tex detergents are designed to be gentle and to rinse completely. Detergent residues can contaminate and impair the function of the membrane fabric and its water repellency treatment. When using detergents specific to outdoor apparel, simply follow the instructions. If a conventional detergent is used then avoiding fragrance, colorants, optical brighteners, and fabric softeners will aid garment function. Both enzymes and surfactants are fine when effectively rinsed. If you only have access to normal laundry soaps ensure to rinse the garment with a second rinse cycle to more completely remove any residual cleaning chemicals.

How to prepare your GORE-TEX® garment for washing

To prepare the garment for washing; close the main zippers and pit zips, open pocket zippers, and release tension on all elastic draw cords. Add cleaning agent to the machine and wash the garment on a medium heat setting (40°C / 104°F). Remove the garment, shake to remove excess water and place it in the dryer. DWR is reactivated best when tumble dried at a medium heat setting (40°C / 104°F) for 40 to 50 minutes.

How to reapply the Durable Water Repellent (DWR)

DWR is a polymer applied to the face fabric of an Arc'teryx GORE-TEX® garment. When the garment is not shedding water like it used to, even after it's been washed and dried, it's time to reapply the DWR. We recommend using Grangers® XT Waterproofer spray, Fibertec Blue Guard Spray-On and ReviveX® Spray-On Water Repellent because their technologies complement the garment's original DWR. After washing, close all zippers, hang the wet garment on a hanger and spray DWR evenly onto the wet face fabric of the garment. Next, place the garment in a tumble drier on a medium heat setting (40°C / 104°F) for 40 to 50 minutes. We do not recommend using a wash-in DWR.

For other care instructions visit the Arc'teryx Produt Care page.