Cleaning bike jackets

[Steve Peake]

At the start of summer I bought myself a short, lightweight bike jacket. Found it on a sale rail, probably because it is bright orange - it's made lots of people smile, as it seems to glow in sunlight.

However, after many thousands of miles and varied weather, the front of the jacket is now filthy (including a nasty bird-related stain on the shoulder).

My question:
Anyone know how to wash bike jackets?

Once the armour is removed, it's probably small enough to fit in a domestic machine, but what do you wash it with?

Vaguely remember something about non-detergent soap (or is it non-soap detergent?)

Cheers

Steve

 

[Dave Hall]

The instructions that came with my BMW jacket warn against machine washing, use of detergent, dont scrub etc.

I think they advocate will power as a safe way of removing dirt.

 

[Fanum]

Silly question Steve...I presume it doesn't have a washing info label in it?? (check inside sleeves etc cos they do hide them sometimes)

If it hasn't, then just wiping it down with a warm damp cloth soaked in LUX soap flakes is safest, then let it dry hung up somewhere after wiping it off with cleam water.

Next step up in the safety stakes would be Lux soap again, (It's like a pure soap with no salt or astringeant products in..it's what you should use for posh soft woolly jumpers etc) put in the washing machine on the woollen cycle (much less agitation of the drum so the lining doesnt get ferked around) at 30 degrees, or 40 if you're feeling brave.

The chances are though that anything you do will lesson whatever waterproof qualities it might have.....it might be worth treating it with one of the many spray on products but you have to be carefull because the propellants vary and can damage synthetic materials quickly......it's a case of RTFM for those or speaking to someone who might be able to identify the textile for you.

HTH.

(My Rukka is nicely machine washable....i just take out the armour and bung it in and it comes up good as new every time )

 

[Lord Snooty]

NikWax do a two pack washing product that is designed especially for waterproof garments. I have used this for my Savanna suit and also a couple of other biking jackets. Its expensive at about £10 for the pack but well worth it as it does the job.

 

[Steve Peake]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

 

[Steptoe]

At the start of summer I bought myself a short, lightweight bike jacket. Found it on a sale rail, probably because it is bright orange - it's made lots of people smile, as it seems to glow in sunlight.

However, after many thousands of miles and varied weather, the front of the jacket is now filthy (including a nasty bird-related stain on the shoulder).


Steve

I bet their smiling -bright orange - gives the seagulls something to aim at -i'll ask the wife about washing it when she comes in from work

 

[pragmatix]

NikWax do a two pack washing product that is designed especially for waterproof garments. I have used this for my Savanna suit and also a couple of other biking jackets. Its expensive at about £10 for the pack but well worth it as it does the job.

The wash is called Nikwax loft and the the waterproofing which you wash in is called Nikwax tech I think, but its a great product and easy to use, Done my belstaff explorer with it and its like new and still totally waterproof. all done in the washing machine at 30 and on a gentle wash.

Pete A

 

[Dave Hall]

I called in at my local dealer this morning and spoke to a very nice lady about it (pointless talking to the men).
She said remove gortex liner, armour, sweets and packet of botty wipes from pocket.
use a bit of Vanish on the worst bits and straight away chuck it in the machine with non-bio powder on wool wash (40 with two lines)
Drip dry.
Gortex liner is hand wash only.

Its washing now so I`ll let you know in a couple of hours

 

[LivNorway]

I washed my Yoko Gore Tex suit in a special soap for wool: Perfect!


And Dave:
I don't think you are going to wear your jacket this evening! It doesn't dry that fast.


A friend of mine are using the wool soap when she wash her helmet. And the helmet needs a looong time to get dry!

Liv.

 

[Cheesy Mike]

I have used the Nikwax stuff a few times to clean & proof my bike jacket and other stuff.

Cleaner: Nikwax Loft Tech Wash £3.99. Make sure your washing machine soap drawer is nice and clean as I'm told that normal soap can screw things up. Best way is to clean the drawer out then run the machine on an empty wash.

Proofer: Nikwax TX Direct Wash-In. £5.99. Wash the jacket a second time using this stuff and it proofs it really well.

300ml bottles are good for 2 - 3 washes.

Mike

 

[Dave Hall]

Its washing now so I`ll let you know in a couple of hours

I was`nt too happy with the results so I stuck it in again straight away and its pretty good.
Its not `as new` but most of the road grime has gone leaving a trace of the grease marks that seem to come from god knows where. I`m sure great lumps of grease fly off other peoples vehicles as I go past because I never sit behind anyone long enough to get caught in a slipstream.

 

[roadrider]

wash day blues

I, remove any liners, armour etc,
rub vanish soap on the bad bit,s and liquid hand wash soap on the decent bits, and qtr fill the bath with warm water and leave to soak an hour , then rinse in warm water, then remove plug and let it drain off, then it's outside to dry on the line using a coat hanger, comes up really clean.
Top Tip, if it's got a Gortex or similar built in lining, DO NOT
RING IT OUT, as doing this can damage the liner and it will amost definately leak in the rain.
John

 

[Strangelove]

I have a Dianese jacket with non-removeable Goretex liner. Used the two Nikwax products pictured above but was advised not to use the washing machine. Soaked it in the bath instead. The TX direct proofing can be sprayed on wet, then leave to dry hanging up. It worked really well.

 

[GuidoT]

Read in some magazine somewhere that if the "Goretex" or whatever stuff isn't upto being machine washed, then it isn't likely upto to being worn on a motorbike at 80 in the rain or treking across Rannoch moor.

-- Guido