Why do performance fabrics need more care?
To help the fabric last longer by staying breathable, windproof or waterproof.
Standard laundry detergents are quite harsh, and often contain surfactants, optical brighteners, perfumes, and various other additives.
Each of these will become embedded in the pours and weave of the fabric with every wash cycle. Usually, this wouldn't cause a problem when washing cotton, but in technical jerseys ,lycra, merino or waterproof clothing, the additives act as wetting agents, masking the waterproof treatment or blocking the fabrics pours, reducing the breathability and its ability to wick sweat and dry quickly
1. No beading?
If you notice water has stopped beading on your jacket or cycling kit. Its time for a re-proof.
2. Clean away odours and dirt
Clean the fabric to get ride of odours, mud and dirt. If you have one or two items hand wash using a performance wash or delicate non-biological soap.
If you have a few, run a cycle through your washing machine to clear older detergent in the system. Then wash kit at 30c with a performance wash.
2. Apply re-proofer
There are two types of re-proofer: a liquid that goes in your washing machine with your clothing, or a re-proofing spray.
Choose the spray if you only need to treat specific areas of your item such as the front or back.
Or if you only have one item to re-proof there is no need to run a cycle for a single item or use a spray if your garment can’t go in the washing machine.
3. Activate the treatment with heat
Heat helps the newly DWR-coated microfibres stand upright, improving water repellency. There are several ways to reactivate the treatment:
- Place it on a warm radiator.
- Iron on low heat with a thin cloth between the iron and the fabric.
- Tumble dry the garment on low heat for about 15 minutes.
- Use a hair dryer to gently warm and dry the item.
Tips for washing or re-proofing cycle clothing to maintain performance
- After a muddy or rainy ride, hand-rinse your jacket, gloves, and overshoes in a small amount of performance wash, then use the spin cycle to remove excess water. This saves running a full machine and keeps your technical kit separate from regular laundry.
- Only re-proof if your item has been cleaned first.
- Clean your washing machine soap tray so that old detergent doesn't get added to the wash.
- Close up all zips to stop them snagging in the machine.
- Never use biological powder or fabric softeners.
- Use an performance wash or delicate non-biological soap.
- Put your Lycra in a mesh bag to keep it away from Velcro.
- Use 20ml more cleaner/wash if you live in a hard water area.
- Never wash above 40 degrees.
- Regular re-proofing helps the garment last longer. But washing an item after two years of abuse may not restore it to its former glory.
- If clothing wasn't waterproof to begin with using a re-proofer won't make waterproof re-proofer may delay the onset of water.
QUICK ADD
Endura Apparel Cleaner and Re-Proofer
QUICK ADD
