paddywack12 Posted August 21, 2012 Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 I need some advice please from the PW massive, I have left my Barbour Berwick Endurance screwed up in the back of my truck for a few months. It now stinks of wet dogs :unsure: and needs washing. The label states use a non detergent washing powder Is this Non Bio ?? If not can someone throw some light on how to clean/wash my coat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drayman Posted August 21, 2012 Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 (edited) I've always been curious about this so just did a little bit of searching - and it isn't straight forward. If it's a wax jacket then Barbour says - Q. My wax jacket is dirty how can I clean it? A. The only way you can clean your waxed cotton garment is to sponge it down with clean cold water - including the inner lining. Do not use soaps or detergents, wash in a washing machine or dry clean as this would permanently damage the garment and any re-application of the wax coating will be totally absorbed by the cotton fabric and will soil the inner lining. This in turn, will soil any clothing worn underneath the jacket. That's curious as you used to be able to send Barbours back for re-waxing so they must have cleaned them. I did mine some years ago after killing the mould, washing it to get rid of the smell of mould and then re-waxed myself. It's been great ever since with no problems. If it's a breathable jacket they say Q. How do I wash a waterproof / breathable jacket? A. Please refer to the washing instructions sewn into each garment. Generally all Barbour waterproof breathable outerwear can be machine or hand-washed at 30 degrees. The use of a 'non-detergent soap' such as Nikwax Techwash is recommended for waterproof breathable garments. So what's in Nikwax Techwash - well its a potassium soap (according to their MSDS). And some soaps are better at removing grease / oils than detergents so the soap vs. detergent approach doesn't make sense.Which would suggest you could use a very mild liquid cleanser designed for skin or babies bums, although perfume might be a problem at first it should fade quickly. The alternative is to hang it on the line, hose it down and leave it for a couple of days through wind and rain. The sun will also help to break down any smells. That would be my first step. The difference between a soap (essentially made from caustic soda and a fat, animal or vegetable) and a detergent ( synthetic chemistry). Both are designed to clean. A "bio" detergent contains enzymes which are designed to break down protein stains such as dried egg. Most products now call the enzyme a protein as housewives didn't like biological powders and they had some associated skin problems in their early days. So your wonderful laundry product that contains proteins is really an enzyme containing bio product. Edited August 21, 2012 by WVAM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted August 21, 2012 Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 As your jacket is a non waxed one you should use any pure soap washing powder or Nikwax Techwash. The use of detergent or biological washing powders will ruin the DWR waterproofing. I use either on mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.