Detergents for washing membrane clothing

Sometimes washing clothes can leave you with a dilemma about choosing the right detergent, especially if you've added an unfamiliar fabric to your wardrobe. One such fabric is membrane. It's often used to make sportswear, travel clothing, and children's clothing. This material has unique properties, so specialized detergents are needed to wash it. What are these detergents, how do you choose them, and how do you wash them?

The "miracle" properties of fabric

The membrane is a special layer inside the fabric, in the form of a mesh with tiny pores. The membrane is covered with a special protection on both sides. The top layer of the membrane-lined fabric is a wear-resistant material. Thanks to its multi-layered construction, the membrane fabric has the following properties:

• repels water, which allows you not to get wet in the rain;
• it “breathes” well, which means that in such waterproof clothing you will not have to sweat, since the vapor easily passes out;
• windproof, which makes it comfortable in any weather;
• It is lightweight and retains heat, which is why membrane fabric is not used to make insulation, with the exception of down jackets and winter coats, as the membrane does not allow the cold to penetrate.

Please note! Membrane fabric is quite expensive, so before using it for washing, make sure the detergent is suitable for this type of clothing, as ruining an expensive item is more than unpleasant.

Requirements for funds

So, which detergent is best? What kind should it be? To answer this question, we need to consider the fabric properties described above. Here are some requirements for a detergent for membrane fabric:

• it should not contain chlorine, as chlorine will ruin the water-repellent properties of the fabric;
• it should not contain a large amount of enzymes that perceive the fabric impregnation as dirt, destroying it;
• the product should not contain oxygen bleach, as it clogs the pores of the membrane and the fabric stops “breathing”;
• The composition should not contain large abrasive particles.

Taking these requirements into account, it is safe to say that the membrane is not suitable for washing:

1. any powder, Taid, Ariel, Persill and others;
2. regular liquid laundry detergents, they contain enzymes;
3. bleaches and stain removers;
4. detergents for delicate clothes, such as "Laska", "Vorsinka", etc.;
5. liquid soap.

Conclusion: membrane clothing can only be washed with special detergents intended for a specific type of clothing.

For example, there are separate detergents for sportswear and for insulated outerwear. If you don't have one on hand, you can use chlorine-free laundry soap. However, don't use it regularly, as over time the fabric will lose its breathability.

Brief overview

There are many products on the household chemicals market for washing membrane clothing, from different manufacturers; here are a few examples.

• Perwoll Sport & Active is a liquid detergent for washing sportswear with a fresh scent. This detergent is suitable for washing overalls, thermal underwear, tracksuits and jackets, and trousers made of nylon and elastic.
• Nikwax Tech Wash is a special biodegradable liquid membrane soap that helps maintain the fabric's water-repellent properties. It is also used for washing nylon and cotton fabrics, tarpaulins, GoreTex, Dry Factor, Sympatex, and Ultrex. It is also used for washing tents, backpacks, and climbing ropes. This product is sold in a concentrated form and is therefore suitable for removing stains.
  
  
• Domal "Sport Fine Fashion" is a German product. It thoroughly cleans clothes from various types of stains without affecting the fabric's properties. One 750 ml bottle is enough for 25 kg of dry laundry, making it very economical.
• Denkmit Fresh Sensation is a gel-based membrane cleaner that combats stains and odors. It also makes the fabric water-repellent.
  

How to wash and care

The most gentle way to wash a membrane is by hand. Wet the item in lukewarm water, then apply one of the special detergents, and then rinse under running water. Do not wring out the item, let the water drain off on its own. This method will not appeal to many people, since they don’t want to waste time or effort on manual labor when they have an automatic machine.

To wash membrane clothing in a washing machine, you need to follow these rules:

• wash in one of the following modes: “hand wash”, “wool”, “sportswear”;
• adjust the temperature to 30⁰;
• turn off the spin;
• do not use the soak or pre-wash mode, and tumble dry mode;
• wash large items separately.

After machine washing, lay the item out on a horizontal surface and dry it in a well-ventilated area. Do not dry the membrane near a fire or radiator, or iron it. If necessary, membrane clothing can be treated with a special water-repellent compound after drying. This will extend the life of the garment. If you notice that your clothing is becoming damp in certain areas, this procedure is essential.

Nikwax Down Proof can be used for impregnation. This protective spray is applied to the garment's surface and allowed to dry completely. The liquid impregnation should be applied during the rinsing cycle. This procedure should be repeated every one or two washes; frequent impregnation will clog the membrane, causing it to lose other properties.

Important! Water-repellent treatments should only be used after washing clothing and strictly according to the instructions.

So, washing membrane clothing is easy, because with the advent of this new material, so have the care products. Buy products from trusted manufacturers and wash according to the label's instructions. This way, your clothes will always be in excellent condition.

   

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