cleaning Ventile

[baggins]

Hi folks,
i have an old westwinds cairngorm jacket. Recently i had to use it at work (tree surgery) and now it has become rather grubby. I'd love to clean it but the cleaning instructions say only to sponge it down with a damp cloth.
I don't reckon this will shift most the dirt it has aquired. So, any suggestions? hand wash with a wool detergent? cool wash in washer? etc
I know ventile can be easily damaged once wet, so i thought i'd ask the wealth of experience here (ie, John Fenna )

Cheers

Baggins

 

[John Fenna]

I bung mine in the washing machine with non bio powder on 40 degree wash.....

 

[baggins]

Wow John, that was quick! Cheers, yours was the advice i needed.

Cheers

 

[rik_uk3]

40 degrees!!! blooming heck John you carbon footprint is out of control, 32 degrees here for everything

You can clean most clothes in cold water and detergent if truth be told, but John is right, cool wash and a cup of Bold will do the job. At the back of the other house is a perfectly good stream, runs clean all year round but I'll be damned if I could ever get the wife to go and bash the clothes on the rocks down there, she insisted upon using the washing machine....women can be selfish at times

 

[Tiley]

Is there any mileage in then washing it in, say, Nikwax Cottonproof after it's gone through its washing cycle?

 

[Nonsuch]

Just my 2p and a different perspective from John: I would strongly advise just brushing it with a brush when dry, or wiping with a damp cloth. Whenever I have washed Ventile, even using Nikwax tecwash etc, it has never been the same again. I certainly wouldn't use normal detergent as this makes it sop up water like a sponge. OK for a Ventile shirt or trousers, not good for a jacket.

I suppose if it really needs a wash, then Nikwax tecwash is the best bet.

Maybe you already washed it, it which case you now know for yourself which view is right!

 

[John Fenna]

Is there any mileage in then washing it in, say, Nikwax Cottonproof after it's gone through its washing cycle?

Yea I do that once in a while, just to improve the initial rain repelancy but once the rain gets realy solid the proofing is overpowered and the cotton swells like it should.
Do not over do it though or the Ventile will not work as it should.
Be sure to rinse the Ventile completely after washing as any detergent residue (detergent is a "wetting agent" after all) will cripple the fabric ... perhaps this is why some folk find Ventile does not work for them?

 

[baggins]

Well, i took Johns advice, so now just letting it dry and will see how it works.
Cheers for all the advice.

Baggins

 

[HarrogateTobias]

Ventile is tough stuff from what i have seen. I would just hand wash it.