How to wash a jacket made of membrane fabric in a washing machine?

How to wash a membrane jacket in a washing machine Membrane fabric is deservedly popular among athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, as it “breathes”, retains heat longer, and is lightweight and soft. But caring for the membrane is not easy - improper washing will negate all the beneficial properties of the material.

In order not to spoil your clothes, you need to know how to wash a membrane jacket in an automatic washing machine and how to dry it. Professional advice and step-by-step instructions will help you cope with the task.

Tips from the professionals

The first rule when washing a jacket made of membrane fabric is not to wash it. The more often the membrane is washed, the higher the risk of damage. Ideally, such things are cleaned as they become dirty, maximum 1-2 times per season. If the ski suit has been worn carefully and there are no stubborn stains on it, then it is enough to brush off the dust and walk over the surface of the down jacket with a damp cloth.

But it is not always possible to keep a jacket clean: bad weather conditions, poor-quality tailoring and intense physical activity often make their own adjustments. In this case, you can’t do without washing. To ensure that membrane cleaning is effective and safe, it is worth remembering a few important tips from professionals.

Before cleaning, read the manufacturer's instructions label.
When washing in an automatic machine, select the “Synthetic”, “Wool”, “Hand” or “Delicate” program.
Do not wring out the membrane, set the spin to minimum, allowing the water to drain on its own.
Dry the jacket naturally in a ventilated area or in the fresh air, away from heaters and direct sunlight.
Wash only with liquid detergents with a gentle composition, without chlorine and aggressive components (powders are prohibited - granules will ruin the thin membrane film).
Rinse the item thoroughly so that the detergent is completely washed off, otherwise white streaks and smudges will remain on the fabric.
If in doubt, give preference to dry cleaning.

It is recommended to wash membrane clothing no more than 1-2 times per season.

It is better to reduce the number of washes and treat the membrane jacket with a special impregnation. Then the fabric will acquire water- and dirt-repellent properties, will get dirty less and will delight the owner longer with warmth and lightness.

Instructions for washing in a machine

The beauty of the membrane is that it is not afraid of the washing machine - bulky items can be washed in the machine without consequences. But with the condition that the cycle will be configured correctly and the procedure will follow a certain pattern. It is recommended to act in the following sequence:

Pre-clean local stains and dirt;
load the jacket into the drum (if it takes up about 2/3 of the tank, then there is no need to add things - overload is possible);
add detergent by pouring gel into the powder receptacle or placing a helium capsule in the drum;
set the “Synthetic”, “Wool”, “Hand Wash” or “Delicate Wash” mode (some modern machines have a special “Membrane” program, ideally select it);
check that the heating temperature does not exceed 40 degrees;
reduce the spin cycle to a minimum, or better yet, turn it off altogether;
add an extra rinse.

The membrane jacket is washed at a temperature of 20-40 degrees.

Then we start the loop and wait for the program to end.As a rule, cleaning lasts about 60-120 minutes, depending on the model of the washing machine you have. Upon completion of washing, it is not advisable to keep the jacket in the drum for a long time - take out the product, lightly wring it out and wrap it in dry cotton cloth or a terry towel. This will absorb excess moisture, after which you can begin further drying.

If automatic washing is impossible for some reason, you will have to do it the old fashioned way, by hand. Fill a basin the size of the jacket with water, foam the detergent in it, dip the item in the soapy solution and leave to soak for 25-30 minutes. Afterwards, wash the contaminated areas with gentle movements, and then rinse the product thoroughly. There is no need to squeeze - just hang it and let the liquid drain freely from the fabric.

Getting rid of residual moisture?

The washed jacket must be dried completely. There are no special rules for drying the membrane; the main thing is to protect the fabric from high temperatures and ultraviolet radiation. Batteries, hair dryers, heaters are prohibited - it is better to lay the down jacket on a flat surface or hang it and then leave it until completely dry. how to dry a membrane jacket

Ironing is not advisable, nor is it necessary: the membrane fabric straightens on its own when properly dried. As a last resort, the item is ironed through a thick diaper or towel.

At the “finish”, the membrane jacket is treated with a special impregnation. This will enhance the protective properties of clothing and extend its service life. Especially if the item has been worn for more than two years and begins to leak water.

After washing, it is advisable to treat the membrane with impregnation!

Impregnation is applied according to the instructions. Some are sprayed from a distance of 10-20 cm, while others require soaking in the solution. The main thing is to purchase a product for clothing, and not an analogue for tents and awnings.

What are we going to wash with?

When washing a jacket made of membrane fabric, you should take the choice of detergent seriously. These should be special gels that are suitable in composition and action for breathable synthetic materials. So, the following brands have proven themselves to be excellent.

Synergetic for sportswear and membrane fabrics. Suitable for hand and machine wash of all synthetic materials. It has a safe composition: the product is hypoallergenic and does not cause allergic reactions. A “plus” will be the biodegradability of the liquid. The price depends on the distributor, but on average a 0.75 liter bottle costs 260-330 rubles.
Trekko Tech Wash for membrane fabrics is a special product for manual and automatic washing of technological materials. Due to its special formula, it effectively and quickly removes dirt - just soak things in a cold solution. Suitable for gentle cleaning of membranes, synthetic bristles and thermal underwear. It washes without damaging the waterproof impregnation, but, on the contrary, enhances its effect. Cost – 340-530 rubles. for 500 ml.
SIBEARIAN Tech Wash is a gel designed specifically for delicate washing of membrane clothing. Gently removes dirt while maintaining the moisture resistance and breathability of the material. Effectively fights the unpleasant odor of sweat, has an antibacterial effect and leaves a pleasant aroma of freshness. Suitable for cleaning both by hand and in an automatic machine. The cost starts from 500 rubles. for 400 ml of product.
SALTON Sport for products with climate membranes. Thanks to special technology, Membran-PRO preserves the functional properties of the fabric, does not forget the pores and does not wash out the impregnation.The product also forms an additional protective layer on the surface, preventing re-contamination of the fibers. It can be used both by hand and machine wash on all types of breathable synthetics, including fleece, microfiber and spandex. Contains 30% surfactants and 15% nonionic surfactants, cost is about 230-340 rubles. per bottle 250 ml.
Cotico for sportswear is a specialized gel with reduced foaming, which allows you to effectively clean membrane fabrics without clogging pores. Excellent for washing down jackets, jackets, tents, sleeping bags, skis, thermal underwear and other clothes for active recreation. A liter of product costs 290-350 rubles.

Washing membrane fabric will go without surprises if you choose the right detergent, temperature and spin intensity. Then the jacket will become clean and continue to delight you with warmth and lightness.