How to Wash GORE-TEX Jackets

1. cranberry.com/5minutes #5minutes This 5 Minute Webinar™ Sponsored By How to Wash GORE-TEX Jackets Tips and suggestions for cleaning GORE-TEX jackets and fabrics - Presented by Gerald Craft of Gear Aid® by McNett®

2. cranberry.com/5minutes #5minutes WHAT IS THE BIG IDEA? Ensuring GORE-TEX garments continue to achieve excellent performance Dirt, smoke, body oils and other residues can clog waterproof- breathable pores and hinder water repellency. Residue must be removed to maintain performance. Cleaning GORE-TEX fabrics is essential for maintaining breathability and water repellency Traditional “household” detergents and powdered detergents can be detrimental to the fabric. How you clean and what you use to clean are important. How you clean GORE-TEX fabrics and ensuring you use the appropriate cleaner is just as important

3. 5 MINUTE FACT #1 By washing items separately you can avoid the abrasion created by fabrics rubbing together. This abrasion can cause the DWR to wear much quicker. This is the same reason you should close tabs, Velcro and zippers. It just ensures that these items will not rub against the fabric in a negative way. NUTS & BOLTS Restore Breathability, Water Repellency and Warmth Step 1: Close all tabs, Velcro and zippers. We recommend washing items separately.

4. 5 MINUTE FACT #1 According to W.L. Gore, the manufacturers of GORE-TEX membranes, you should never use stain removers or bleach on GORE-TEX fabrics as it may affect garment performance. That said, for any embedded stains, you will apply your specialized cleaner directly to the stain as opposed to a dedicated stain remover or bleach which may impact the performance. NUTS & BOLTS Restore Breathability, Water Repellency and Warmth Step 2: Apply cleaner directly to embedded stains. Gently scrub with a bristle brush. Repeat as needed.

5. 5 MINUTE FACT #1 If the garment care label recommends a different cycle or wash temperature, always follow their recommendation. The above recommendation should be followed in the absence of care recommendations from the manufacturer. NUTS & BOLTS Restore Breathability, Water Repellency and Warmth Step 3: Select delicate/gentle cycle, warm water and load size (most likely low since technical garments are typically washed individually).

6. 5 MINUTE FACT #1 It is essential that you use a specialized cleaner like ReviveX Pro Cleaner. Typical “household” cleaners contain heavy suds, optical brighteners and fabric softeners which tend to leave behind additional residues on the fabric, further preventing the DWR from performing. In addition, those added suds, fabric softeners, etc. can clog your waterproof breathable pores. You must use a clean-rinsing detergent on your GORE-TEX fabrics. NUTS & BOLTS Restore Breathability, Water Repellency and Warmth Step 4: Add ½ oz. ReviveX® Pro Cleaner to wash (for High Efficiency (HE) machines use ¼ oz. ReviveX Pro Cleaner)

7. 5 MINUTE FACT #1 Rinsing twice is important because it ensures that all soapy residue has been rinsed clear of the fabric and its waterproof- breathable pores. NUTS & BOLTS Restore Breathability, Water Repellency and Warmth Step 5: Run wash cycle and rinse twice.

8. 5 MINUTE FACT #1 Most DWR treatments are impacted by heat. By placing a clean GORE-TEX fabric in the drying machine, many times the heat will re-activate the DWR coating on the fabric, restoring water repellency. When the factory applied treatment can no longer be reactivated, apply a new water-repellent treatment, like ReviveX Durable Waterproofing Spray. NUTS & BOLTS Restore Breathability, Water Repellency and Warmth Step 6: Dry as per the manufacturer’s recommendation.

9. WHY IT MATTERS? Cleaning GORE-TEX Fabrics Helps Restore Breathability Removing Dirt and Residue from the Fabric Allows You to Re-Activate the DWR 1 2 5 MINUTE FACT #2 If the jacket is breathing and repelling water, the end result is a dryer and warmer experience.

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