Gear repair and maintenance and washing products and items

One man's advice:

CLEANING

Down anything – hand wash only (sleeping bags go in the bathtub) with a down-specific product (Nikwax Down Wash, Atsko Sport-wash), warm water, several cold rinses, knead out the clumps (often has to be done several times), air dry. I have had a couple of fabric-rending experiences with tennis balls in the dryer and recommend against that practice.

Merino wool – in the washer (mine is a front loader) with non-detergent soap (Sport-wash usually, maybe Woolite or Ivory Flakes), delicate cycle, extra rinse, air dry. No fabric softener.

Anything poly – normal wash except no fabric softener, dryer on medium heat

Cotton [for summer hiking in the Southwest] – normal wash with fabric softener, dry on high

DWR stuff (jackets, pants, etc with GORE-TEX or eVent or EPIC) – in the washer with non-detergent soap, dry on medium high. Once in a while will treat with an Atsko DWR-restorer

Tents – spot cleaning with an annual bath in McNett MiraZyme, air dry. MiraZyme bath if stored wet for an extended period.

SEAM SEAL with the appropriate McNett product (different ones for DWR and silnylon). Re-done every couple of years as preventive maintenance.

LEATHER is cleaned with a leather cleaner, then waterproofed/softened with Atsko Sno-seal