How to wash a membrane jacket in a washing machine?

Membrane fabric is deservedly popular among athletes and outdoor enthusiasts because it breathes, retains heat longer, and is lightweight and soft. However, membrane fabric is difficult to care for—improper washing will negate all the beneficial properties of the material.

To avoid ruining your clothes, you need to know how to machine wash and dry a membrane jacket. Expert advice and step-by-step instructions will help you cope.

Tips from the pros

The first rule when washing a jacket made of membrane fabric is to wash it sparingly. The more often the membrane is washed, the higher the risk of damage. Ideally, such items are cleaned as they become soiled, no more than once or twice per season. If the ski suit has been worn carefully and there are no ingrained stains, then it is enough to brush off the dust and wipe the surface of the down jacket with a damp cloth.

But keeping a jacket clean isn't always easy: adverse weather conditions, poor tailoring, and intense physical activity often take their toll. In these cases, washing is essential. To ensure effective and safe membrane cleaning, keep in mind a few important tips from the pros.

1. Before cleaning, read the manufacturer's label for recommendations.
2. When washing in an automatic machine, select the “Synthetics”, “Wool”, “Hand Wash” or “Delicates” program.
3. Do not wring out the membrane, set the spin cycle to minimum, allowing the water to drain on its own.
4. Dry the jacket naturally in a ventilated area or outdoors, away from heating devices and direct sunlight.
5. Wash only with liquid detergents with a gentle composition, without chlorine and aggressive components (powders are prohibited - granules will damage the thin membrane film).
6. Rinse the item thoroughly to ensure the detergent is completely removed, otherwise white streaks and stains will remain on the fabric.
7. If in doubt, give preference to dry cleaning.

It is recommended to wash membrane clothing no more than 1-2 times per season.

It's best to reduce the number of washes and treat your membrane jacket with a special impregnation. This will make the fabric water- and dirt-repellent, reduce staining, and provide longer-lasting warmth and comfort.

Machine washing instructions

The beauty of the membrane is that it's machine-safe—bulky items can be washed without any problems. However, the cycle must be set correctly and the procedure must follow a specific pattern. The recommended procedure is as follows:

• pre-clean local stains and dirt;
• load the jacket into the drum (if it takes up about 2/3 of the drum, then there is no need to add more items – overloading is possible);
• add detergent by pouring gel into the powder dispenser or placing a gel capsule into the drum;
• set the “Synthetics”, “Wool”, “Hand wash” or “Delicate wash” mode (some modern machines have a special “Membrane” program, ideally we select it);
• check that the heating temperature does not exceed 40 degrees;
• reduce the spin to a minimum, or better yet, turn it off completely;
• set an extra rinse.

The membrane jacket can be washed at a temperature of 20-40 degrees.

Then we start the cycle and wait for the program to finish. Typically, cleaning takes about 60-120 minutes, depending on the model of your washing machine. After washing, it is not advisable to leave the jacket in the drum for too long. Remove the garment, wring it out slightly, and wrap it in a dry cotton cloth or terry towel. This will absorb excess moisture, after which you can proceed with further drying.

If machine washing isn't possible for some reason, you'll have to do it the old-fashioned way: by hand. Fill a basin the size of the jacket with water, lather it with detergent, submerge the garment in the soapy solution, and let it soak for 25-30 minutes. Then, gently blot the soiled areas, then rinse thoroughly. No need to wring it out—just hang it up and let the liquid drain freely.

Getting rid of residual moisture?

A washed jacket should be completely dried. There are no special rules for drying the membrane, but the main thing is to protect the fabric from high temperatures and ultraviolet light. Radiators, hair dryers, and heaters are prohibited. It's best to lay the down jacket out on a flat surface or hang it up and leave it to dry completely.

Ironing is neither recommended nor necessary: ​​membrane fabric will straighten itself when dried properly. As a last resort, iron the garment through a thick cloth or towel.

At the final stage, the membrane jacket is treated with a special impregnation. This will enhance the garment's protective properties and extend its lifespan, especially if the garment has been worn for more than two years and is beginning to leak.

After washing, it is advisable to treat the membrane with impregnation!

Apply the impregnation according to the instructions. Some are sprayed from a distance of 10-20 cm, while others require soaking in the solution. The main thing is to buy a product designed for clothing, not something made for tents and awnings.

What are we going to wash with?

When washing a jacket made of membrane fabric, it's important to choose your detergent carefully. Use specialized gels with a formula and action suitable for breathable synthetic materials. The following brands have proven themselves to be excellent.

1. Synergetic is a product for sportswear and membrane fabrics. It's suitable for hand and machine washing all synthetic materials. It boasts a safe formula: it's hypoallergenic and doesn't cause allergic reactions. Biodegradability is also a plus. The price varies by retailer, but a 0.75L bottle typically costs $2.60–$3.30.
2. Trekko Tech Wash for membrane fabrics is a special product for hand and machine washing of technological materials. Thanks to its special formula, it effectively and quickly removes stains – just soak items in a cold solution. Suitable for gentle cleaning of membranes, synthetic fibers, and thermal underwear. It washes without damaging the waterproofing, but rather enhances its effectiveness. Price: $3.40–$5.30 for 500 ml.
3. SIBEARIAN Tech Wash is a gel specially designed for delicate washing of membrane clothing. It gently removes stains while maintaining the moisture resistance and breathability of the material. It effectively combats unpleasant sweat odor, has an antibacterial effect, and leaves a pleasant, fresh scent. Suitable for both hand and machine cleaning. Prices start at $5 for 400 ml.
4. SALTON Sport for products with climate-resistant membranes. Thanks to its special Membran-PRO technology, it preserves the fabric's functional properties, doesn't clog pores, and doesn't wash out the impregnation. It also forms an additional protective layer on the surface, preventing re-contamination of the fibers. It can be used in both hand and machine washing on all types of breathable synthetics, including fleece, microfiber, and spandex. Contains 30% anionic surfactants and 15% nonionic surfactants, and costs approximately $2.30–$3.40 for a 250 ml bottle.
5. Cotico for sportswear is a specialized gel with low foaming, which allows you to effectively clean membrane fabrics without clogging pores. Perfectly washes down jackets, coats, tents, sleeping bags, ski clothes, thermal underwear and other clothing for active recreation. A liter of the product costs $2.90–$3.50.

Washing membrane fabric will be trouble-free if you choose the right detergent, temperature, and spin cycle. Your jacket will then be clean and continue to delight you with its warmth and lightness.

   

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