How to Care for Waterproof Products
How to Care for Waterproof Products
Through wear, you may notice some of your Mac in a Sac's great rain resistance and breathability features are diminishing slightly as time goes on. This is an easily fixable issue meaning you can ensure your rain protection continues and you get your money's worth (and more) from your Mac in a Sac. The process involves washing your Mac in a Sac and (if needed) reproofing it also to restore its original rain resistance performance.
Washing Your Mac in a Sac
All Mac in a Sac products are machine washable at 30 degrees, a delicate setting, if your washing machine provides this option. There are many different types of wash and re-proof products on the market, however, for your Mac in a Sac we recommend using NikWax Two-Stage treatment. This product can also be used on all sorts of outdoor equipment such as tents, awnings and rucksacks etc.
- Firstly, make sure to clean out the detergent dispenser of your washing machine as the chemicals in ordinary detergent can affect the features of your clothing through stripping down the waterproof coating which will make it more likely to produce leaks. Also make sure to do up any zips, buttons or Velcro tabs to avoid them getting caught in the washing machine.
- Washing too many items in the machine at once will impair the effectiveness of the wash. Limit it to two items at once and also ensure they are both waterproof items.
- Use three full caps (150ml) for medium/hard water or 2 full caps (100ml) for soft water.
- When wash completed, avoid scrunching or kneading your waterproof clothing as this is abrasive on the material.
If you find that the fabric of your Mac in a Sac is absorbing water as opposed to repelling it then it may be time to do some reproofing. This isn't necessary after every time you wash it, simply if you notice that it may need it.
Reproofing Your Mac in a Sac
There is no need to wait for your items to dry after washing, you can get straight to reproofing! Reproofing products can come in wash in format or spray on format. NikWax Two Stage Treatment is a wash-in treatment.
- Being a wash-in treatment it is again necessary to ensure that you remove any detergent build up in your detergent dispenser.
- Use a max of two waterproof items in the washing machine.
- Use two full caps (100ml) of NikWax TX Wash-In per garment.
- Wash on 30 degrees
- When finished, leave to dry in an airing cupboard or on a washing line (weather permitting of course).
Clothing Features Explained
- Waterproof 10,000mm: This is the measurement used to determine how resistant to water a particular fabric is. What defines "waterproof" is set by standards determined through a test that entails placing a long column on top of a garment sample and then filling the column with water successively until it leaks. 10,000mm translates to 10 metres worth of water resistance.
- Breathable 8,000GSM: This tests the amount of water vapour (in grams) that pass through a 1 metre sq of fabric. Breathability is all about not allowing condensation to build up. This will, ultimately, keep you warmer.
- Fully Taped Seams: The stitching in waterproof clothing is normally a weak point because the tiny holes from the stitches aren't of course waterproof. Heat-shrunk taping is used on stitched seams in order to eliminate any chance of leakage.
- Concealed Hoods: Packaway jackets have their hood tucked under the collar meaning that it can be kept from getting in the way when it's too wet. It can also be adjusted with toggles.
- Packaway: Many of our items can be stored in their own supplied stuff sack which is compact enough to be stored in a bag or briefcase for when it isn't raining.
- Adjustable Hem/Hood: Features can be adjusted easily using the elasticated cords and spring loaded toggles. This in turn will improve the fitting.
