Renewing DWR coating – argh!?

Personally, I like the "spray on after the wash" method for 2 reasons.

First, I really want the DWR only on the outside of the garment. If I use the "wash-in" method, I'm afraid I will somehow impede the transmision of prespiration away from my skin when I actually want to impede water coming to my skin from the outside.

Second, some garment labels specifically say to "line dry." So, I use the Nixwax product so that I don't have that conflict between the fabric instructions and the treatment instructions.

Just my $0.02

Sven – Nikwax is a wax based DWR and doesn't require heat setting. McNett is a fluorocarbon based DWR and requires medium heat setting for about 45 minutes to coat the fibers.

They work equally well as water repellents. The wax based DWR is more environmentally friendly. The fluorocarbon DWR will withstand approximately twice the amount of abrasion before it needs to be renewed.

Both types of DWR will not adhere if there is any residual detergent on the fabric. Wash the garments with a non-detergent soap and then do an additional wash cycle without any soap. eVENT and most conventional windshirts (Marmot Driclime is an exception )don't have wicking liners.

Use the wash in DWR for the most uniform coverage and best longevity. I use McNett because I bushwhack a lot. The McNett directions say to use a normal wash cycle. I experience longer DWR life by skipping the rinse cycle. Do this by monitoring the wash cycle and then turn off the water after the tub is filled. This will allow the agitation and spin cycles but no rinse cycle. I then dry my eVENT and windshirt garments at the medium heat setting for 50 minutes.

You can rejuvenate the DWR an additional 2-3 times by just washing the garments in non-detergent soap and drying them for 50 minutes at medium heat.

Thanks Richard – just a bit confused:

"Both types of DWR will not adhere if there is any residual detergent on the fabric. Wash the garments with a non-detergent soap and then do an additional wash cycle without any soap"

Do you mean that I should wash the garments with a non-detergent soap before washing them again with a wash-in DWR? I don't have a washing machine so I guess I would use the wash-in at home (by hand), not rinse it and go somewhere else to dry it, correct?

Do you use an additional spray after using the wash-in product?
Thanks,
Sven

Do you mean that I should wash the garments with a non-detergent soap before washing them again with a wash-in DWR?

Sven, that is what I do. Wash once with non-detergent soap to clean the garment. Wash a second time using only the wash-in DWR and skip the rinse cycle to keep more DWR on the garment.

Sven – Yes. First, wash the garment with a non-detergent soap. Second, wash the garment with a DWR solution.

It is important for you to go someplace with a dryer after you use the wash-in DWR at home.

Do not use an additional spray DWR after using the wash-in DWR. That would be a waste of your time and money. In the future the DWR will wear off in high wear spots. When it does, just wash the garment in non-detergent soap and dry it at medium heat for 50 minutes. This will cause some of DWR to flow back over the worn off spots.

Thank you all for your helpful comments.
Cheers,
Sven