Washing membrane clothing in a washing machine

Today, membrane clothing is chosen and loved not only by professional athletes: skiers, snowboarders, but also tourists and ordinary people who like to feel comfortable and comfortable in various weather conditions. Such products are unique due to their high-tech properties.

The membrane is a thin film with very small holes-pores, which is produced according to a certain technology. The pore shape has such a structure that provides the material with one-sided permeability. Membrane tissue is mainly synthetic material, on the inner side of which a membrane film is applied in a special way. It allows moisture that forms under clothing to escape into the environment, while moisture from the outside does not allow it to get inside.

Usually, the surface of the membrane fabric is treated with a special, water-repellent impregnation, due to which moisture, falling on the clothes, rolls off in drops. This allows you to significantly reduce the load on the membrane and additionally protect things from getting wet. Also, the membrane perfectly protects from the wind. The higher characteristics of such a fabric make it much stronger and also much lighter.

By design, such fabric is of three types:

1. Two-layer. Here the membrane is, as it were, “welded” to the outer layer of the fabric from the wrong side. In such clothes, there is always a lining, which is used in order to protect the membrane from clogging and various damages;
2. Double layer and a half. In the structure of this fabric, the membrane is protected by a foamed protective layer, with which a two-layer fabric is covered from the inside. Membrane clothing made of such a material is much lighter than three-layer clothing and requires a lining;
3. Three-layer, where the seamy side is a fabric with a fairly fine mesh. All components of this fabric: the membrane, the upper part and the knitted mesh are glued into a single structure through lamination, where the mesh performs the protective function of the membrane from damage and contamination.

Membranes, in terms of their structure, are pore-free, pore-free and combined:

1. Porous has a large number of microscopic pores on the outer layer, and due to their incredibly small size, the material does not allow moisture to pass from the outside, but allows fumes that collect under clothing to escape. The main disadvantage of such a fabric is that during the process of wearing the product, the pores of the membrane become clogged, and the air ceases to circulate effectively, and with improper care or washing, the product will begin to leak;
2. Surface poreless the membrane has no pores in its structure, therefore, due to the lack of access paths, water cannot seep into the clothing. The warm air that forms inside accumulates on the inner layer of the membrane and evaporates very slowly, so the material may seem moist after a while;
3. Combined differs in that a protective coating is applied to the surface of the pore base. It combines the functions of both pore and non-pore membranes, therefore it is considered the best composition of membrane tissue, the most effective to use. Its pores are not clogged, and the steam accumulated in the clothes is freely discharged outside. However, the fabric with such a composition and the products made from it are distinguished by a rather high cost.

The properties of this fabric make it possible to produce various high-quality and comfortable sportswear for competitions, tourist and ski holidays, hunting and fishing. These can be snowboard jackets, ski suits, warm overalls. Very popular, especially in winter, children's clothing made of similar fabrics, it is lightweight, allows you to move freely and does not get wet. With the use of membranes, snowboard elements of clothing for riding are also produced: gloves, hats, sweatshirts. Today, on the Russian market, there are many different membrane fabrics, but one of the most famous, popular and high quality is gore-tex.

Membrane fabric is a high-tech material that requires proper and delicate care so as not to damage its protective properties. Washing, especially hand washing, is a very good way to get rid of dirt from a jacket, overalls or other items of equipment made of a similar fabric. Subject to all the recommendations and rules of care, such clothes will not lose their properties, even as a result of repeated machine washings.

To wash products made from membrane fabric you cannot use ordinary powder, because it contains corrosive substances, chlorine, bleaching agents, is poorly soluble in water, which can damage and spoil the membrane.

They can be simply cleansing, but you can purchase a special gel, which also includes impregnation. So after washing with such a product, there is no need to additionally impregnate your clothes with a water-repellent spray.

One of the best special detergents is considered Nikwax Tech Wash. It removes dirt well, while maintaining all the functional features of the membrane. They also perfectly wash various dirt. Denkmit Fresh Sensation Gel, DOMAL Sport Fein Fashion Balm... But if such a remedy was not at hand, you can use simple gel-like liquids.

Important, to cleaning products for such clothes contained more natural ingredientsin, were soft in chemical properties, which will help membrane products to maintain their high-quality functions longer.

The machine wash of various membrane products has a number of features. To wash your membrane cloth clothes correctly in the machine, you need to do the following:

• Before loading such clothes into the washing machine, it is imperative to fasten all the locks, zippers and pockets;
• Carefully study and follow the clothing care recommendations indicated by the manufacturer on the label;
• Choose the most gentle washing mode available in your washing machine, for example, delicate or manual;
• If there are several things, it is advisable not to put everything in the machine at once, but to wash each one separately;
• It is better to wash membrane clothing at a temperature not exceeding 30 degrees. The lower the water temperature, the better, the water should never be hot;
• It is important to turn off the spinning mode completely, since any mechanical effect on the membrane will lead to the destruction of the pores, therefore even manual spinning is contraindicated;
• After washing, the product must be rinsed well to get rid of the remaining detergent. Then you need to carefully take out the clothes, hang them on a hanger and let the excess water drain off;
• It is forbidden to dry such a cloth on heating devices, near an open fire, or in a washing machine. To dry a thing well, it must be carefully flattened, laid horizontally on a dry, clean cloth or towel and periodically turned over. It is desirable that the room is well ventilated.

In the process of washing any clothing made of membrane fabric, it is impossible to use all kinds of solvents, stain removers, various aggressive mixtures so as not to destroy the membrane. It is also contraindicated to use conditioners, as they create a film on the fabric, which will greatly harm the material.

You cannot iron such a fabric., the action of high temperature can damage its structure. Just flatten the item to avoid creases and wrinkles.

Please note that membrane jackets, overalls cannot be pre-soaked... Prolonged exposure to water significantly impairs the properties of such a fabric, and such clothes can be washed well without prolonged soaking.

In order for such things to serve you for a long time, they must be treated with fluorine, which is produced in the form of a spray and applied to the washed and well-dried surface of the product. It is advisable to apply such a spray after each wash, this gives additional protection to the membrane properties of clothes, eliminates burnout and increases wear resistance.

For small soiling, there is no need to machine wash. In this case, it is better to clean the stained areas of the top of the product by hand. This can be done with soapy water or a special product. It is necessary to carefully handle the dirt with a brush or sponge, without applying great force so as not to damage the fabric.

During storage, it is not recommended to roll up and twist products made of membrane fabric, therefore, after stripping, your jacket, suit or overalls should be hung on a hanger in a straightened form, previously packed in a clothes bag or bag.If dust gets on the clothes, it will clog the pores of the membrane and reduce the consumer qualities of the product.

Proper care and washing of products made of membrane fabric will allow you to serve you for many years without losing its main functions, and will give you the opportunity to spend a long time outdoors, in comfortable conditions, even at a fairly low air temperature.

For more information on how to wash membrane clothing in a washing machine, see the next video.