Bugs
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
I'm pretty sure Nikwax do a detergent that will wash proofed things
gz
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. Smile
wellington womble
I vaguely recall having to send ours to the dry cleaners. But only vaguely, and that could have been wrong even then.
Bugs
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. Smile
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 drunken
Bernie66
Probably better than musty but the right herbs or and spices left in the pockets as it dries wiil enhance any smell..............
12Bore
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
Mole Valley Farmers do a reproofing service, which may do, if you machine wash first.
wellington womble
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
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. Very Happy
random
I'm not sure if it's the same for Barbour but I always use this to reproof my Drizabone
http://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
http://www.drizaboneclothing.co.uk/store/Driza-Bone_Oilskin___Wool_Detergent.html
judith
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
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
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....... Neutral
Bugs
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.
yummersetter
thanks - but I must just check first that it's a real Barbour or generic! It only recently slipped.
It came from o