Rallye II Suit best way to clean

[GraemeMcl]

Recently got back from 1800m 6day trip around Ecuador.
Suit is well suffering. What do others think is best way to clean it.
Left to soak for a few hours with a stain release and washed as per label.

Still grubby as appears dark lining colouring has run.

Any suggestions

 

[John Armstrong]

Flog it on ebay, buy a new one with some cash to spare

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

Wash at 40C using non-bio powder, mine comes out good.

 

[Tsiklonaut]

More than 30C nut recommended

Me taking the CE protector vest out, open all zips, remove the linings and the rear pocket - throw the pieces into the washingmachine with non-centrifugal drying and proper post-washing mode with small amount of rinse additive.

I'll do 1/4 powder rather than 1/2, so about the minimum level of washing machine's specifies to make the mix more neutral (just in case).

Comes out like new

Let it dry in a steady place, nowhere near to hot thing or air - it's slow drying then (takes about 24 to 30h to fully dry), but maintains the textile features. On theory, the quick drying collapses the textile on micro level and on a long term, it makes the textile structure weaker and more fragile. You can wreck it with quicky stuff tho if not planning to keep the stuff for a longer time or not caring about protection


GoreTex liner you must wash separately and with special instructions written on the manual. Handwash only and no regular harsh powder that can damage the waterproof/brethable membranes and wreck those gore's main features. Must be pretty neutral stuff and all in near to cold water. Also no centrifug or quick drying - it's even more critical on Goretex than regular the robust Cordura textile from which the main jacket is made of.

Hope this helps

 

[Wapping]

Instructions (little pictures) on labels in jacket and liner.

Not wahing with armour in would seem sensible.

try to remember which piece of armour went where. Each time I wash the trousers I always re-insert the knee armour the wrong way round

 

[Fanum]

More than 30C nut recommended

Me taking the CE protector vest out, open all zips, remove the linings and the rear pocket - throw the pieces into the washingmachine with non-centrifugal drying and proper post-washing mode with small amount of rinse additive.

I'll do 1/4 powder rather than 1/2, so about the minimum level of washing machine's specifies to make the mix more neutral (just in case).

Comes out like new

Let it dry in a steady place, nowhere near to hot thing or air - it's slow drying then (takes about 24 to 30h to fully dry), but maintains the textile features. On theory, the quick drying collapses the textile on micro level and on a long term, it makes the textile structure weaker and more fragile. You can wreck it with quicky stuff tho if not planning to keep the stuff for a longer time or not caring about protection


GoreTex liner you must wash separately and with special instructions written on the manual. Handwash only and no regular harsh powder that can damage the waterproof/brethable membranes and wreck those gore's main features. Must be pretty neutral stuff and all in near to cold water. Also no centrifug or quick drying - it's even more critical on Goretex than regular the robust Cordura textile from which the main jacket is made of.

Hope this helps

Er..Margus, who told you this????

It may sound good, but I'm afraid it's bollocks mate

Read up on the goretwex web site for a start.....I know it's counter-intuitive but tumble dryiong Goretex actually helps it...they recommend it


'Centrifugal drying' is just a fast spin ....no harm in that with the sort of materials we're talking about....there's not much mechanical damage to fibres on a spin, that happens in the wash cycle if it's a heavy and coarse weave.



Graeme....use a pure soap flake like 'pure and simple' or 'lux'.......modern 'fully built' detergents like Ariel or Persil won't actually damage the suit, but may well alter the material characteristics so it won't work as well.

Don't use a softener....they're oil based (not quite, but it'll suffice) and basically coat the fibres and relax them.......use a proper aftermarket treatment instead, as recommended by BWM or one of the Nikwax products.....all the same essentially but read the label first

Some stains won't come out without specialist chemicals, and even then, you're quite possibly going to damage the integrity of the fibres.....I can help you further if you know what the stains are (or are at least likely to be) but TBH, it ain't worth it.....stains are character, they stop you from looking like a Ewan wannabe, so enjoy them

Oh yeah, and do take out the armour FFS

 

[Fanum]

PS never use a powder in a washing machine

 

[GraemeMcl]

Thanks all,

Looks like armour and liners out, machine wash, nonbio , no conditioner, natural drying and enjoy the "character of use".!!!

cheers for all the help

 

[TaffyScouser]

Wash with NikWax special wash fluiod and then re proof the outer with TX10 Direct wash in. Remove all inner jackets and armour.

Water just beads off the outer when you do it this way. Can even re proof again with TX10 spray on proffer when you need to.
Go to the Nikwax web site and forget using power etc of any kind. When you put the TX10 in the machine make sure that there is no soap powder deposits in the powder tray or you will be wasting your money.

 

[Steve B]

I'm not sure it's worth it anymore as the more I wash mine the dirtier it gets.

Steve B

 

[Dick Dastardly]

Thanks all,

Looks like armour and liners out, machine wash, nonbio , no conditioner, natural drying and enjoy the "character of use".!!!

cheers for all the help

Spot-on there