Washing Gore-Tex

[loads of miles]

Need to wash my Dainese Gore-Tex jacket and trousers ...Have got the proper washing liquid  and have even read the instructions ( terrible confession for a bloke  i know ) but wondered if anyone else has washed gore-Tex and what the results were in relation to the "Waterproof-ness" ! I see it recomend tumble drying to activate the waterproof additives .Am more than happy with how dry it keeps me know dont want to spoil it by washing however it says in the booklet that dirt can over time cause the product to let water through as the holes are blocked .
Any results good or bad fellow riders .
thanks

Loads of miles

[john348]

 I wash mine in nic wax wash in, which is supposed to re waterproof things.  I also put it for a short time in the tumble drier I was told to open the pores to get rid of dust etc???

[Caoimhín]

I've done my streetguard suit a few times using ordinary detergent and leaving to dry in sun. No tumble-drying. All as per instructions. Works fine with no loss of waterproofness.

[john348]

It was the salesman from Halvarsson who said to put it in the tumble drier for a couple of minutes to opne the pores and release any trapped dust.  Not sure if it does anything though. 

[Chaos]

Originally Posted by john348

I wash mine in nic wax wash in, which is supposed to re waterproof things.  I also put it for a short time in the tumble drier I was told to open the pores to get rid of dust etc???

Washed my gore-tex in nic wax also. It was a friend that works in the clothing sales that told me to wash it to bring back the water proofing  The membrane gets blocked over a time with road grime etc and then lets in water. It needs to be detergent free to avoid damage to the membrane or so I'm told  but it works. It's back to being 100% waterproof.

Chaos

[chrisb1]

do mine  once per year...gets back to beads on the surface after the wash......rtfm and it will work. I also use the nikwax stuff b***y expensive but then so was the jacket.

[kingoffleece]

Follow the Nix directions.  The heat activates the DWR which keeps the fabric from "wetting out".