Washed my Gore-Tex...Is it ruined???

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PharmBoy01

Joined
Jul 12, 2008
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I have a couple USGI Gore-Tex rainsuits (parka/pants) and a USGI Gore-Tex bivy sack. They are in excellent condition but they had a musty smell. I washed them in cold water on gentle cycle (approx. 2 minutes) using only a very small amount of SportWash. I then hung them to dry. They now seem to have lost all of their water repellency. Before washing, the fabric was kinda rough and stiff (and water would just bead up and run off the surface) and now it is silky and softer and water soaks in. IIRC the fabric is really just nylon and the Gore-Tex is the fabric/membrane underneath. Did I simply wash off the waterproof coating? If so, does anyone know what this coating is and can l ever get them back to original condition? Thanks.

p.s. I know they are genuine USGI (Tennier Industries, NSN#, ect.) and not a knockoff.......
 
True gortex is a bonded laminate held to the nylon. You can't washout its waterproofing. In fact, the MEC catch phrase for gortex maintenance is: 'Wash it HOT, Wash it Alot'.

I would wash it on hot, use the rest of the nytex treatment and then dry it in the dryer until reasonably warm (not too hot to the touch).

Good luck!
 
kgd said:
True gortex is a bonded laminate held to the nylon. You can't washout its waterproofing. In fact, the MEC catch phrase for gortex maintenance is: 'Wash it HOT, Wash it Alot'.

I would wash it on hot, use the rest of the nytex treatment and then dry it in the dryer until reasonably warm (not too hot to the touch).

Good luck!
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+1 about the dryer. It is a key part of the cleaning process.
 
You lost the DWR coating. As the others have said, you'd have been better off to have put it in the dryer than to air dry it. From the Gore website:
Machine-wash warm (104° F/40° C). Powder or liquid detergent. No fabric softener. Follow manufacturer's instructions.

Tumble-dry warm. The heat from the dryer will help to reactivate the durable water repellent (DWR) treatment on your garment's outer fabric.

Gore recommends applying a topical water repellency restorative (DWR treatment) for outdoor fabrics, available at your local outdoor retailer. We do not recommend wash-in treatments as they can affect the garment's breathability.
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as the other have said, you're ok.

I have some columbia waterfowling jackets and bibs with Gore-Tex that have been washed and thrown in the dryer for years, like 10-15 years. They are still ok. Some will start to leak at the seams after a lot of washes.

We just use seam sealer on them.

I don't think you will have any problems.
 
PharmBoy01, I have the same gear. As many posted already, you're ok. Follow Gore's directions, and you'll be fine. I usually use Nikwax and Revivex products for detergent. If those aren't handy I use Ivory Snow flakes.
 
Dry it on nuke hot cycle every time. Get a good quality DWR treatment like Granger spray it on or wash it in. The gortex is fine its just the fabric surface needs to be rewaterproofed.

Skam
 
Many thanks for all the replies/info!! I knew you gentlemen would have the answer!:thumbup:.....Another wash and into the dryer!!.....
 
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