Cleaning clothing....

[m33ufo]

Hi guys, just a quickie for you all. What's the usual way of cleaning salt stained clothing - BMW Streetguard 2 suit? Rode back from Edinburgh to Cardiff yesterday and the suit is white, not to mention my gloves and boots.

Is it ok just to removed the liners/armour and pop it in the wash?

Similarly with the gloves (BMW Atlantis 2), I was going to wash them in warm soapy water and treat them with leather conditioner...sound ok?

First thing first though, I need to sort the bike out, washed it down as soon as I got home but now it needs some detail attention. Don't think I'll ever get to all the places the salt did though!

Merry Christmas

 

[Decster]

Is it ok just to removed the liners/armour and pop it in the wash?

read the clothing instructions. Washing it in a washing machine will ruin the waterproofness of the clothing, due to the detergents left in the washing machine. The washing machine needs to be run through 2/3cycles without clothing to be sure it is properly clean.
Nikwax produce products for cleaning waterproof gear.

Do a search here and there will lots of info.

 

[rudiemoto]

i would get in shower fully kitted up and use head and shoulders
or take out all ce armour and cold wash with soap flakes not powder cos powder
needs more temp to mix in than soap flakes and use nipptex ,a gore rinse add
i wear rukka and revitt and there work fine

 

[m33ufo]

I'm assuming nipptex is something I'll need to get from my friendly local bike store?

Personally liked the shower idea.

 

[m33ufo]

read the clothing instructions. Washing it in a washing machine will ruin the waterproofness of the clothing, due to the detergents left in the washing machine. The washing machine needs to be run through 2/3cycles without clothing to be sure it is properly clean.
Nikwax produce products for cleaning waterproof gear.

Do a search here and there will lots of info.

Reading instructions was never a strong point of mine. Head and Shoulders in the shower it is

Your right, I should get the correct tool for the job, I imagine there will be a bike shop open today.

Cheers.

 

[Bazza]

Hi.
I have a streetgaurd 2 suit an asked the same question to BMW UK last week. Usually the goretex is laminated 'under' the outside fabric which will lose its waterproofnes over time due to dirt/ wear etc. which makes the fabric soak in more water which will 'choke' the breathability of the goretex. nikwax etc will reproof the outside fabric to enable water to bead off rather than soak in. Also a light ironing of the fabric will reproof this to a point.

Thats the normal way. BUT out jackets are the XCR goretex which is laminated to the outside so on paper will never need reproofed. 'Apparantly???'

heres the response of BMW

Our Streetguard II suit can be washed with a very mild detergent at 30 degrees and does not require any further attention. There is no need to reproof the fabric.


The Gore-Tex used in your suit is XCR Gore-Tex and is laminated to the suit. As long as you wash your suit you according to the instructions then you should have many happy years of maintenance free wear.

hope this helps

 

[shuck raider]

And +1 for the Nikwax. I've used it on my Rukka kit for four years now, still as good as new and still waterproof.

You can buy a twin pack from any Hein Hericke for about seven quid

 

[cookie]

use fairy non bio on my rukka (similar materials/construction), still totally waterproof.

 

[theEnglishman]

I've just done my textile jacket and trousers again in what shuck raider used. I find it never comes out sparkling clean - there's always a bit of grey left on the white patches but it smells clean, which is the main thing.

Oh - and don't forget to do your leathers with a cleaning/proofing product too - (which is really a reminder to myself )

 

[m33ufo]

Thanks guys for all the replies. I actually bought the Nikwax combo earlier although I paid about 12 quid from my local dealer!!!

Sounds like BMW aren't as conscientious as the rest of us though

Thanks again for taking the time to reply and Merry Christmas!

 

[Bazza]

What BMW are saying. Is the Goretex membraine is on the outside. (which is a tye of PTFE) is like a 'plastic' so as long as it is clean..... the proofing will not do anything. the proofer is only for the fabric which has the goretex laminated underneath it.

Seeing as we have superior XCR goretex
we dont need and shouldnt reproof it.

any doubt speak to gore direct.......

 

[MikeP]

If in doubt what to wash BMW clothing with, buy the stuff BMW sell for the purpose, stick to the advised temp (usually 30 deg) and if there are any problems take it up with the supplier!

I've never had a problem. I use the BMW stuff, so far successfully on an Atlantis III suit (the leather remains water-proof after two and half years), Tourance trousers, summer trousers and Tw@t suits.

 

[terayon]

Any stains in your clothing that you want to treat before you wash. Use swarfega, but it must be the smooth one, without any courseness. Rub a small amount into the stain and then wash.
This was reccomended by a Halvarrson, Held and Rukka dealer, works on leather too

 

[JoeC]

I tend to wash mine with NON BIO washing powder first to get rid of most dirt and stains and then do another short wash cycle with no cleaner etc in it to flush out the washing machine. Then use the Nikwax products. As mentioned before always look at the garments cleaning instructions as these vary.

Look at the Nikwax website as it has a selector on there telling you what cleaner to use for what garment material you have. www.Nikwax.co.uk

 

[Bear]

Nikwax TechWash has kept Mrs Bear's Belice clean and waterproof for two years. It has also kept my Belstaffs clean and waterproof for rather longer.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Nikwax for the suit.
Warm soapy water and minkoil for the leather gloves
Jet wash for the bike

That`ll do it!

 

[muppix]

Warm soapy water and minkoil for the leather gloves

S'cuse my ignorance, but what's "minkoil" ? I presume it's not the oil from a Minky whale?

Mup.