Washing a waxed jacket?

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Washing a waxed jacket?
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Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 09 1:43 pm Post subject: Washing a waxed jacket?

I've been given an old Barbour which is perfectly wearable but smells very musty (partly my fault for leaving it hung up untouched for about a year).

I'd like to use it but I can't bear the dusty, musty smell, and although it's hanging on the line now to see if the rain can work on it, I would like to try wash it.

I *think* I can do this on a cold machine wash, with no detergent, and if necessary I could then get a tub of reproofing stuff?

Or would I be better off buying some special washy stuff - does such a thing exist? Has anyone done this and if so, can you advise what to do (or what to avoid?)?

sally_in_wales
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Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 09 1:50 pm Post subject:
I'm pretty sure Nikwax do a detergent that will wash proofed things

gz

Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8987
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 09 1:51 pm Post subject:
As far as I remember, they are supposed to be wipe down only. Having said that I always gave ours a cold wash with a little detergent, then dried them in front of the Rayburn and re-waxed when they were still warm and dry.

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 09 1:52 pm Post subject:
I vaguely recall having to send ours to the dry cleaners. But only vaguely, and that could have been wrong even then.

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 09 2:17 pm Post subject:

gz wrote:

As far as I remember, they are supposed to be wipe down only.
Having said that I always gave ours a cold wash with a little detergent, then dried them in front of the Rayburn and re-waxed when they were still warm and dry.

Ah yes, upon reading more carefully I think the ones that can easily go in the machine are the modern waterproofs. I have now read of people hosing them down in the summer, which might work, or as you say sponging them.

I've looked up Sally's suggestion of Nikwax, and their product chooser does direct me to something called Tech Wash, which isn't too expensive. I can't find if anyone has used it though, I'll have to have a look next time we are in Scats or somewhere similar. I don't mind buying a couple of products in this instance as it might mean I wind up with a coat significantly better than any I would be likely to lay money out for...

Does the wax smell nice I wonder

Bernie66

Joined: 14 Jan 2005
Posts: 13967
Location: Eastoft

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 09 2:41 pm Post subject:
Probably better than musty but the right herbs or and spices left in the pockets as it dries wiil enhance any smell..............

12Bore

Joined: 15 Jun 2008
Posts: 9089
Location: Paddling in the Mersey

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 09 3:13 pm Post subject:
We washed a wax years ago - and ruined it. They can be re-waxed easily enough, they're supposed to stink though, aren't they?

alison
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Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 09 5:14 pm Post subject:
Mole Valley Farmers do a reproofing service, which may do, if you machine wash first.

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 09 6:30 pm Post subject:
I think techwash is for modern waterproofs (it was we use for ours) I know you can get them re-waxed, but I suspect it's not a home process. You could ask a dry cleaner or the rewax people whether you can wash it first (would the wax do un-fixable things to your washing machine, though?)

judith

Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire

Posted: Fri Jan 01, 10 2:07 am Post subject:
Barbours do smell a bit musty at the best of times. Or at least mine does. I have never washed mine, but I don't imagine it would be the end of the world if you did wash it. But do expect to spend a pleasant evening by the fire with the pot of wax re-proofing it. And it might not smell any less musty though.

random

Joined: 01 Jul 2006
Posts: 158
Location: Sk�ne, Sweden

Posted: Fri Jan 01, 10 5:58 am Post subject:

I'm not sure if it's the same for Barbour but I always use this to reproof my Drizabone

https://www.drizaboneclothing.co.uk/store/Driza-Bone_Oilskin_Reproofer_Pump_Spray.html

It also comes in a tin that you can paint on.

Both methods work really well and can easily be done at home.

They also do a detergent for the washing of oilskins

https://www.drizaboneclothing.co.uk/store/Driza-Bone_Oilskin___Wool_Detergent.html

judith

Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire

Posted: Fri Jan 01, 10 10:48 am Post subject:
Have just dug out my tin of stuff. Barbour Thornproof Dressing is what you want. According to the tin, you should sponge down the coat with clean, cold water only - don't use soap or detergent. Sadly the smell is nothing to write home about.

yummersetter

Joined: 26 Jan 2008
Posts: 3241
Location: Somerset

Posted: Fri Jan 01, 10 5:13 pm Post subject:
whilst we have Barbour experts around, does anyone know how to deal with a misaligned zip? It works up and down but not down enough, by 1 'cog', to come apart.

12Bore

Joined: 15 Jun 2008
Posts: 9089
Location: Paddling in the Mersey

Posted: Fri Jan 01, 10 8:05 pm Post subject:

judith wrote:

Have just dug out my tin of stuff. Barbour Thornproof Dressing is what you want. According to the tin, you should sponge down the coat with clean, cold water only - don't use soap or detergent.
Sadly the smell is nothing to write home about.

Must be just me, I love the smell of a freshly waxed jacket, mind you, I enjoy bulling shoes and boots.......

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Fri Jan 01, 10 8:26 pm Post subject:

Thanks comrades...I should say it didn't smell anything like as bad when I hung it up a year or so ago (it was slightly smoky you see...dating from before my SIL gave up).

On reflecting it looks like a sponging down with ice water followed by potentially a hose down is the first step, and see how it goes from there. I could probably do the coat at the same time.

Yummersetter, in my travels I found Barbour seems quite keen on repairing stuff, it might be worth attempting to speak to them in case they can either advise or might offer to repair if it has always been like that.

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