How to wash a membrane jacket in a washing machine

Membrane fabric has long migrated into everyday life, although initially it was used exclusively for clothing for extreme sports and outdoor activities.

New technological developments that are used in the production of things with membrane fabric are appreciated. The material turned out to be very comfortable and high quality.

It retains heat well, does not restrict movement, and repels moisture, but there is one big drawback - the fabric quickly becomes dirty.

It is not easy to wash such products by hand due to their usually large size. There remains a second, more convenient washing option - machine washing, but since membrane fabric is expensive and quite capricious, the question arises - how to wash a membrane jacket in a washing machine? Now we will put everything into pieces.

Prohibited when washing

Before washing your membrane jacket, you need to consider several important points:

When washing items made from membrane fabric, do not use detergents that contain chlorine. After all, this aggressive chemical element can destroy the waterproof coating, which means the jacket will get wet in rainy weather.
Another important point is that a jacket with a membrane does not need to be soaked before washing, because the fabric can swell and become deformed.
Do not wring out the item after washing; it is better to wrap the jacket in a fabric that absorbs moisture well, for example, let it be a large terry towel.
You cannot use ordinary washing powders, because small particles will easily clog the pores of the fabric, and the item will very quickly lose its valuable properties and qualities.
Put away conditioners and rinses - these products form a thin film on the surface of the material, which will subsequently interfere with air circulation.

Choosing a product for a special fabric

Membrane fabric is distinguished by a special weave of polymer fibers consisting of microscopic pores . The membrane fabric is also coated with a special impregnation, which significantly increases the wear resistance and strength of the material.

Thanks to these features, clothing made of membrane fabric perfectly protects from rain, snow, wind, while at the same time maintaining the natural temperature of the human body and removing excess moisture.

to preserve all the positive properties of membrane fabric and extend the life of things only if you use the right detergent .

The main rule: membrane fabric is strictly prohibited from washing with dry, ordinary washing powders. The sulfates and phosphates contained in them destroy matter, and abrasive particles clog the pores, and the membrane loses its main positive property - air exchange.

Also, when washing membranes, you cannot use:

Chlorine-containing agents (expand the pores of the membrane, dissolve the special impregnation, due to which the fabric loses its water-repellent properties).
Bleach and stain remover (dissolves the water-repellent layer covering the membrane).
Fabric softeners (degrade the positive qualities of membrane fabric).

How to wash membrane clothes:

Laundry soap is a proven product that perfectly cleans and disinfects fabric.
A special sulfate-free shampoo for washing fabric membranes (it can be easily purchased at a sports store).
Gel concentrate is a mild cleanser that preserves all the positive properties of membrane tissue.
Liquid membrane soap is an effective means of combating severe stains. Use together with impregnation helps enhance the water-repellent properties of the fabric.

You can make washing easier if you grate the soap on a coarse grater in advance and, as needed, add soap shavings to the drum of the washing machine or to a basin of warm water.

Preparatory stage

Thermal jackets are not designed for prolonged soaking, as we already mentioned. The membrane does not like very hot water, as well as rough mechanical influences.

Put away hard brushes, as they can ruin the item. It is better to rub individual contaminated areas with a soft sponge. How to wash such a “sissy”?

Let's figure it out now. The first thing to do is to gently clean the item using a soft brush.

After dust and dry dirt have been removed, check the pockets and fasten all buttons and zippers. The jacket is ready for washing.

How to wash a membrane jacket?

In order for an item to last as long as possible, it must be properly cared for. There are several washing methods.

You can wash the jacket by hand or in the washing machine. But in both cases, you can use the same detergents. Let's look at the most effective ones.

The best products for washing a jacket with a membrane are:

DOMAL Sport Fein Fashion is a balm that preserves the appearance and properties of clothes even with frequent washing.
Denkmit Fresh Sensation detergent is presented in the form of a liquid gel. However, you should not overuse it, as frequent use of this product may damage the fabric.
Nikwax Tech Wash gel will help remove all SMS residues and dirt. This gel not only does an excellent job of washing clothes, but also restores hydrophobic protection.
Perwoll Sport Active detergent can be used on both sports shoes and clothing with a protective diaphragm.
Textile Wash Plus Woly is a gentle cleaning product made for hand and machine washing of clothes with a membrane. When using Textile Wash Plus Woly, clothes do not lose their wind and water resistance.
When removing stains, you can use laundry soap, because special products cannot always cope with them, since they are designed for delicate washing. If they cannot handle the stain, then gently rub the stained area with soap and then rinse.

Important! To avoid making a mistake when choosing a washing gel, consult with a consultant at a sportswear store.

Types of membranes and differences in their care

There are several classifications of membranes, and in order to properly care for them, it is enough to know for what purposes they are intended. For wind or wind and moisture protection.

Caring for windproof clothing

Windproof membrane clothing is designed for use in the off-season. In it, the membrane is externally covered with fleece or polartec fabric.

Manufacturers do not provide windproof membrane clothing with great water-repellent capabilities, focusing specifically on wind and heat protection. This approach significantly reduces the cost of finished products and also simplifies their care. Windproof clothing does not require restoration of external impregnation, it can withstand a fairly large number of washes (with the right regime), dries quickly and is generally quite wear-resistant.

Features of caring for wind and waterproof clothing

The second type - wind and waterproof membrane clothing is much more functional, but also more demanding to care for. It not only removes fumes from the body well, but also protects from wind, rain and even downpours.

Machine washable

Some clothing manufacturers advise washing a jacket made of membrane fabric in an automatic machine.

Before loading items into the washing machine, be sure to read the information on the label and the manufacturer's recommendations.
It is advisable to use a bag when washing membrane jackets.
You should not wash the membrane jacket together with other things, especially if the things are heavily soiled.
It is also important when machine washing to select the “Delicate”, “Silk” or “Sport” modes.
Do not wring the jacket too hard, as this may cause mini-tears in the fabric; use a light wring.
Washing temperature: 35 degrees.
Put away fabric softeners, since it is unknown how the DWR impregnation of the fabric will react to them when it comes into contact with the chemical composition of fabric softeners.

Reference. Over time, the protective layer of a jacket with a membrane begins to peel off, especially on the shoulders, where the backpack straps are usually located. These places can be protected with special aerosol impregnating compounds.

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!

Wash by hand

To wash your membrane jacket at home by hand, follow these steps:

To begin with, the products must be wetted, but not left in water for a long time, otherwise the protective layer of the jacket will become wet and lose its properties;
Use special detergents when hand washing. Apply the gel evenly to the surface of the jacket;
Then rinse the jacket under the tap with warm water. This procedure will help rinse off the detergent without leaving streaks.
Drying a ski jacket is carried out in the same way as after machine washing.

Important. Hand washing is safer for membrane items than washing in a washing machine.

Hand and machine wash

The washing process cannot be called complicated. The main thing is to always follow the general instructions consistently:

Before you start washing, close all zippers.
Remove any remaining detergent from the container.
Select delicate or manual washing mode with a temperature of no more than 40°C and minimum spin speed.
Pour in a special detergent (preferably).

Most manufacturers do not recommend ironing it, but if the label gives the green light, check that the iron operates on unity and without steam. Use an ironing iron to protect the fabric.

Membrane clothing should not be bleached, soaked or boiled. The use of air conditioners is also undesirable. If there are stains on the product, try using the pre-wash function, as manufacturers do not recommend using stain removers.

If membrane clothing is not very dirty, hand washing is sufficient. Prepare a cleaning solution and gently scrub individual areas with a brush. Don't use force. Then carefully rinse off the product with clean water.

How to properly wash Gore-Tex membrane clothing

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:

To dry such items, choose the most ventilated areas;
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;
Never use an electric iron or iron to dry such items;
Do not dry clothes with a membrane near a heating radiator, and especially do not place them on a radiator.

Useful tips

In order not to disturb the special structure of the material, you should not iron it. The fabric does not tolerate high temperatures; the synthetic layer may melt. It is allowed to use a steam generator if the clothes are very wrinkled.

Some more useful care tips:

Membrane jackets should be stored in a dry cabinet, in a horizontal position, clean and dried.
Use special bags for things to prevent dust from settling on the surface.
Do not wash every time after a trip to the ski resort. Only clean again if an unpleasant odor appears.

How to iron a membrane jacket?

Most items require ironing after washing, and membrane jackets are no exception. How to iron an expensive item?

There are several ways. At the same time, some manufacturers categorically prohibit ironing, explaining that such a temperature damages things.

Others admit this possibility, advising to put a terry towel on top of membrane items and then, in their opinion, you can use an iron with a minimum temperature.

Be sure to pay attention to the manufacturers' recommendations on the label.

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).

Care instructions

One of the main properties of things with a membrane is water resistance. To maintain this useful property, do not neglect special means:

Vapor permeability is a property that allows clothing to “breathe”. When choosing a jacket, focus on the parameters 3000-4600mm. If you want higher protection from moisture, we recommend taking a closer look at microporous materials. They can withstand up to 15 thousand mm of water.
One of the main protective factors for things with a membrane is the Durable Water Repellence (DWR) coating. It is located on the outside of the clothing and prevents moisture from penetrating inside. Unfortunately, Durable Water Repellence (DWR) can deteriorate over time, but it is quite possible to restore the coating to its original appearance.
SALAMANDER, WOLW or NIKWAX are the best impregnation products that can be bought in specialized stores. Garment manufacturers have provided a spray head on the container to facilitate the use of the impregnating composition. You can also use a sponge for these purposes.

If you want to preserve the appearance and all the useful qualities of your clothes for as long as possible, it is recommended to regularly wash items with a membrane.

To stay dry even during heavy rainfall, you can restore the DWR coating using special products.

Features of washing a jacket with a membrane

To understand how to properly wash something made from membrane fabric, you need to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the material. Such clothes are considered unique.

The fibers of the membrane jacket are covered with a polymer protective film, which gives the fabric special qualities

The texture of the material has an inner soft and outer layer coated with hydrophobic impregnation. The middle part, the membrane, gives unique properties. It resembles a regular mesh with microscopic cells. The product does not allow moisture to get inside, does not allow air to pass through and is very light in itself.

How to properly wash membrane jackets:

It is forbidden to put it in hot water, the material will lose its properties;
the frequency of washing should not exceed 1-2 per season of wearing (before hanging in the closet until next autumn, you can simply wipe with a damp cloth);
cannot be soaked;
do not wash several items at once in an automatic machine;
fasten zippers and fasteners before washing;
Rinse thoroughly so that no powder particles remain on the jacket.

Before washing, remove dirt. It is forbidden to use a vacuum cleaner brush or any other brush with medium or high hardness bristles.

Attention! You can't boil it. Washing in this way is prohibited, since too hot water will damage the structure, the cells may stick together, and the properties of the material will be damaged.

Membrane jackets sometimes need impregnation. For this purpose, special aerosols and liquids are used. Only a clean product can be impregnated. If you need to wash it 2 times a year, that means you need to treat it with an aerosol 2 times too.