Drysuit cleaning

Decked Canoes, Open Canoes, as long as they're canoes!

Moderators: kenneth, sbroam, TheKrikkitWars, Mike W., Sir Adam, KNeal, PAC, adamin

Post Reply
canoewhitewater
C Boater
Posts: 30
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2013 12:05 pm
Location: NH

Drysuit cleaning

Post by canoewhitewater »

I have a kokatat GMER drysuit that needs washing. I know what I have to do as far as washing instructions and after care. As a person who sweats a lot, I have some stains on the inside as well as out. Also paranoid about damaging the zipper. Do you wash with zipper open, closed or halfway? It does not say in the kokatat care instructions. Any Input would be appreciated.
User avatar
Dave.E
C Guru
Posts: 218
Joined: Wed May 23, 2012 4:13 pm
Location: Guelph, ON

Re: Drysuit cleaning

Post by Dave.E »

I have a second curtain rod in my shower that I use to dry and clean gear on. I have a spray bottle with a diluted solution of 'MiraZyme'. After a treatment or two I also give a quick hand wash with a special drysuit shampoo. All in cold water, hang to dry after. I like the zipper open for this method, waxing it after could be a good idea too. Planning on getting some zipper wax this season.

http://www.mcnett.com/gearaid/mirazyme#36132" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Not sure if you will get the stains out. Mine has a couple blood stains on it that aren't going anywhere. I guess it adds character?
https://vimeo.com/user32086287" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
User avatar
busterblue
CBoats Addict
Posts: 254
Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2011 5:31 pm
Location: Ridgefield, WA

Re: Drysuit cleaning

Post by busterblue »

I think the potential damage from a washing machine is more to the gaskets than to the zippers.

I turn mine inside out, zippers open, and wash on delicate, with gentle soap, in my top loading washing machine. They recommend using side loaders because they're more gentle. But I haven't had any problems with damaging gaskets or zippers.
User avatar
Dave.E
C Guru
Posts: 218
Joined: Wed May 23, 2012 4:13 pm
Location: Guelph, ON

Re: Drysuit cleaning

Post by Dave.E »

If you wash it in a machine I would suggest putting it in a mesh bag first. This will ensure that the agitator can't damage it. I would be most concerned about damage to the seam tape.

Dave
https://vimeo.com/user32086287" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
User avatar
dixie_boater
C Guru
Posts: 195
Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2003 6:46 pm
Location: Lilburn, GA USA

Re: Drysuit cleaning

Post by dixie_boater »

I also need to clean my suit. I purchased Nikwax Tech Wash to clean it, but am not sure if I should hand wash the suit or use my washing machine. Has anyone washed a Kokatat GMER in a front loading machine using Tech Wash?
Michael McCurdy
User avatar
jakke
CBoats Addict
Posts: 466
Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2007 12:21 pm
Location: Belgium
Contact:

Re: Drysuit cleaning

Post by jakke »

dixie_boater wrote:I also need to clean my suit. I purchased Nikwax Tech Wash to clean it, but am not sure if I should hand wash the suit or use my washing machine. Has anyone washed a Kokatat GMER in a front loading machine using Tech Wash?
Yups, I did 2 months ago, no problem whatsoever. And applied the nixwax goretex waterproofing with the machine as well, now the water is pearling beautifully on the suit again.
ian123
CBoats Addict
Posts: 573
Joined: Tue Aug 10, 2010 3:16 am
Location: Guelph, Canada

Re: Drysuit cleaning

Post by ian123 »

you can just put it in the washing machine with normal detergent… or don't wash it. the mesh bag is a really good idea.
...
User avatar
jakke
CBoats Addict
Posts: 466
Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2007 12:21 pm
Location: Belgium
Contact:

Re: Drysuit cleaning

Post by jakke »

Mesh bag: YES

Normal detergent NO

You'll lose the breatghing capacity of your gore-tex when using normal detergent. Been there, done that. You don't want to wreck a $1000 gore-tex suit just to save $1 on a washing sequence.
Just use some dedicated gore-tex soap.
ian123
CBoats Addict
Posts: 573
Joined: Tue Aug 10, 2010 3:16 am
Location: Guelph, Canada

Re: Drysuit cleaning

Post by ian123 »

Check out their instructions:

http://www.gore-tex.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://kokatat.com/warranty-repairs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Jakke, you should contact those poor stupid companies right away!
...
User avatar
sbroam
CBoats.net Staff
Posts: 3969
Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2002 2:12 am
Location: Lexington, SC
Contact:

Re: Drysuit cleaning

Post by sbroam »

Dang -

http://www.gore-tex.com/remote/Satellit ... structions" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I thought you were *supposed* to use powdered detergent on Goretex instead of liquid - that's the only reason I keep any around. I wonder if I've had it wrong all along or if that guidance changed...

That is consistent with Kokatat's instruction (on product specific pages - checked a Gore-tex product and "Hydrus")) :
http://kokatat.com/products/dry-suits/g ... s-men.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Stohlquist says to use special soap :
http://www.stohlquist.com/questions/technical-info.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Post Reply