Anyone use Insect Shield to Treat their Clothes?

I think it’s a liability issue with Insectshield. Of course the DWR that has worn off, is not preventing normal permetherin spray from penetrating fabrics. I have been using this on OR Ferossi pants, windbreakers, shirts, etc. most had some DWR at some point-the spray penetrated and soaked through to the back side in almost all cases.

Re reading the thread I see a lot of bouncing between professionally treating garments, spraying them with (presumably Sawyer) permethrin and a DIY the chemicals alternative. My inclination and takeaway from the thread is to use the Sawyer product unless I have some dedicated hiking clothes without DWR that I want lifetime treated.

PFAS free clothing, BTW does not have the same DWR as years past, and is more susceptible to degradation from dirt/oils. It can be refreshed with wash/dry cycles and replaced with sprays.  If you are seeing more wetting out then this is probably the issue.  It doesn’t mean the DWR is gone.

I personally would not treat items with a membrane, so I’m speaking about pants, shirts, buffs and socks a the like that may have a light DWR treatment on the fabric.   The permethrin may not penetrate these treated fabric yarns, but my guess is it will be effective to a degrees and may just last fewer wash cycles.  For a few outfits it’s relatively cheap to try along with DEET or other products on exposed skin.  Not sure how to know without a controlled experiment but it’s a form of insurance or peace of mind and anecdotes certainly support its use.

I do have a few insect shield items and would use those or send off some untreated items if planning a backpacking trip in particularly buggy environs.