How to wash outdoor clothing

There are thousands of posts on just this subject.
Try the search function and take everything with a grain of salt.

As a general rule, mild detergent like dishwashing detergent, Woolite, … will do little harm, but does an adequate job with most synthetics.

Hand wash or use front loading washer. Top loading can stress some materials.

I actually had used the search function ("wash synthetic", "wash Primaloft")before posting, but nothing useful had come up. Maybe I use the wrong search words…

The wind jackets has several very small holes and cuts. Should I just repair them with Seamgrip?
If the holes are so small and/or in places where they don't reduce the function of a wind shirt, I would do nothing. Else: I prefer a repair with Bemis Sewfree heat transfer glue (e.g from extremtextil.de and a fabric similar to the one of the windshirt. Personally I don't like the 'drooly' appearance of seam-grip repairs even though the quality is excellent.

Arno,
actually the holes and cuts are very small and I had considered myself to just leave them as they are. So far the cuts have not been ripping further.
Christine

How to care for your gear all in one page.

There is a special liquid soap for clothes with synthetic insulation, but I don't know whether it is wort the money.

Montbell and a whole host of others including BPL all recommend ReviveX products — and warn against using regular soap/detergent. Your call.

How much does the washing deteriorate synthetic loft? Should I try to avoid washing at all cost or does it really not matter?

Hard to say exactly how much deterioration per wash — but if you think about it — avoid washing at all cost will result in oil and grime buildup — which will likely deteriorate your insulation garments and sleeping bags even more. My view? Try to keep the items as clean as practicable — for example I wear silk long johns to minimize dirtying my sleeping bag and I wipe down my bag and jacket with a clean wet cloth after each trip — and then wash when needed.

The wind jackets has several very small holes and cuts. Should I just repair them with Seamgrip?

Yes! Depending on material and tear, you can sew, apply patch and/or apply seam grip. Just because they're not getting worse doesn't mean you should push your luck. A little common sense cleaning and maintenance will go a long way.

There is a special liquid soap for clothes with synthetic insulation, but I don't know whether it is wort the money.

The wind jackets has several very small holes and cuts. Should I just repair them with Seamgrip?

-sports wash from wally mart will work fine if yr an el cheapo bum lime me
-wash when dirty, just hand wash or do it in a front loading washer on delicate
-seam grip, and if big enough use a nylon patch … nutting complicated needed
-make sure you shove it in the dryer on low-moderate for ~15 min to revive the DWR

easy as apple pie …

Here's an email from Rab (Integral Designs). I asked the same question about my PLQ, which I've had for years and never washed. So, I washed it with an environmentally safe detergent in a front loader and let it drape dry. It was perfectly clean with no additional scrapes or bruises (already had a few that didn't get worse) and it was dry in 10hrs or less. It's apparent to me now that synthetic insulation is very forgiving and does probably benefit from regular washing. Totally unlike down which has natural oils that degrade and drying tricks for the clumping. Just go for it. And maybe use ReviveX for the DWR coated products.

cheers,
-Michael

…..
Hi Michael,

Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad you've enjoyed the PLQ. Washing it (with a detergent that doesn't have fabric softener) would go a long ways to revitalizing the insulation. I would even suggest washing the jacket regularly or at least once it is noticeably dirty. Given that it is synthetic insulation it is much easier to take care and less fussy than down. I wash mine regularly. If you have any further questions please let me know.

Cheers,

Scott Curtis
Customer Service
Rab USA, LLC
685 So. Arthur Ave. Ste 5
Louisville, CO 80027
…..