Un-waterproofing a fleece jacket
November 30, 2013 1:53 AM Subscribe
How can I remove the waterproofing treatment from a polyester fleece jacket? I've tried running it through the wash a few times, which is about all I can think of.
I have two nearly identical versions of the same simple fleece jacket. One I've had for years, and is starting to wear out; the other I got recently to replace it. Both were waterproof when I got them, but they must have been treated differently, because the first one totally lost its waterproof quality after one washing. I've washed the new one several times, and it's still waterproof.
...which I find makes it much less comfortable. Because it's waterproof, it doesn't absorb sweat, and if I do any vigorous work while wearing it I quickly feel sweaty and gross. I much prefer the feeling of the old jacket, which I will simply wear under a waterproof plastic jacket if I'm afraid of rain.
Beyond washing the new jacket over and over again, I really can't think of what to do. It's like I need the most abrasive, least-gentle washing detergent. Or maybe there's something I can soak it in?
I have two nearly identical versions of the same simple fleece jacket. One I've had for years, and is starting to wear out; the other I got recently to replace it. Both were waterproof when I got them, but they must have been treated differently, because the first one totally lost its waterproof quality after one washing. I've washed the new one several times, and it's still waterproof.
...which I find makes it much less comfortable. Because it's waterproof, it doesn't absorb sweat, and if I do any vigorous work while wearing it I quickly feel sweaty and gross. I much prefer the feeling of the old jacket, which I will simply wear under a waterproof plastic jacket if I'm afraid of rain.
Beyond washing the new jacket over and over again, I really can't think of what to do. It's like I need the most abrasive, least-gentle washing detergent. Or maybe there's something I can soak it in?
What kind of detergent are you using to wash your jacket?
I have a water resistant (DWR coated) jacket and I experienced what happened to you after washing with regular detergent.
From what I read on the web regular detergents have additives of sort that will mess up the breathability of such jackets. I bought some granger's technical wash, and my jacket is nice and breathable once more (and sheds rain properly again! woo!)
posted by TrinsicWS at 6:51 AM on November 30, 2013
I have a water resistant (DWR coated) jacket and I experienced what happened to you after washing with regular detergent.
From what I read on the web regular detergents have additives of sort that will mess up the breathability of such jackets. I bought some granger's technical wash, and my jacket is nice and breathable once more (and sheds rain properly again! woo!)
posted by TrinsicWS at 6:51 AM on November 30, 2013
Try using baking soda in the wash - a cup, maybe - it's very alkaline, which may remove it. Next try vinegar, which is very acid.
posted by theora55 at 7:51 AM on November 30, 2013
posted by theora55 at 7:51 AM on November 30, 2013
Doesn't directly answer your question, but.
Heat activates the DWR after washing, medium setting on the dryer or ironing.
Don't know if it makes the fabric stiffer to be activated.
Try washing and then air dry.
Good luck.
posted by Pecantree at 11:37 AM on November 30, 2013
Heat activates the DWR after washing, medium setting on the dryer or ironing.
Don't know if it makes the fabric stiffer to be activated.
Try washing and then air dry.
Good luck.
posted by Pecantree at 11:37 AM on November 30, 2013
I don't think your problem is directly related to a durable water repellent (DWR) treatment, or at least not in the way you think. The sweaty feeling you noticed is a function of two factors: absorbency and breathability.
The absorbency of the fleece jacket is probably not the cause of your problem. Firstly, polyester fleece is almost completely non-absorbent, holding only about 1% of its weight in water. Additionally, commercial DWR treatments are usually sprayed onto the exterior face of the fabric, so assuming you're not wearing the jacket inside out this shouldn't impact even the tiny potential of polyester fleece for sweat absorbency.
It's possible, but unlikely that a DWR finish would affect breathability- the chemicals in the DWR treatment bond to the fabric fibers, while vapor transfer occurs through the spaces between these fibers. For a negative impact on breathability to occur, the DWR would have to be so heavily applied as to clog these spaces virtually completely. You didn't mention the brand and model of the jacket, but I find that possibility extremely remote.
Regardless, you still have a problem- you're getting "sweaty and gross". So, why? One possibility that comes to mind is stimulated by your mention that you wear a waterproof plastic jacket when rain threatens. If this outer shell jacket is of a rubberized/coated nylon or similar non-breathable material, what will happen is that when you sweat, your body heat evaporates it, and then, unable to escape, the vapor condenses on the cold interior surface of the shell, leading to the sweaty and gross feeling your cited. In this case, a waterproof breathable garment (made of garments such as Gore-Tex, Polartec Neoshell, etc.) will keep the wind and water out while allowing the vaporized sweat to escape, helping you to stay dry and warm. Another variable is what you're wearing under the jacket- if you have a cotton shirt, this will absorb a lot of sweat and can lead to the discomfort you mention regardless what you wear over it.
Good luck- I wish you warm, dry comfort in the winter months ahead!
posted by EKStickland at 6:19 PM on November 30, 2013
The absorbency of the fleece jacket is probably not the cause of your problem. Firstly, polyester fleece is almost completely non-absorbent, holding only about 1% of its weight in water. Additionally, commercial DWR treatments are usually sprayed onto the exterior face of the fabric, so assuming you're not wearing the jacket inside out this shouldn't impact even the tiny potential of polyester fleece for sweat absorbency.
It's possible, but unlikely that a DWR finish would affect breathability- the chemicals in the DWR treatment bond to the fabric fibers, while vapor transfer occurs through the spaces between these fibers. For a negative impact on breathability to occur, the DWR would have to be so heavily applied as to clog these spaces virtually completely. You didn't mention the brand and model of the jacket, but I find that possibility extremely remote.
Regardless, you still have a problem- you're getting "sweaty and gross". So, why? One possibility that comes to mind is stimulated by your mention that you wear a waterproof plastic jacket when rain threatens. If this outer shell jacket is of a rubberized/coated nylon or similar non-breathable material, what will happen is that when you sweat, your body heat evaporates it, and then, unable to escape, the vapor condenses on the cold interior surface of the shell, leading to the sweaty and gross feeling your cited. In this case, a waterproof breathable garment (made of garments such as Gore-Tex, Polartec Neoshell, etc.) will keep the wind and water out while allowing the vaporized sweat to escape, helping you to stay dry and warm. Another variable is what you're wearing under the jacket- if you have a cotton shirt, this will absorb a lot of sweat and can lead to the discomfort you mention regardless what you wear over it.
Good luck- I wish you warm, dry comfort in the winter months ahead!
posted by EKStickland at 6:19 PM on November 30, 2013
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posted by Yellow at 5:55 AM on November 30, 2013