Washing sailing clothing: An introduction
Sailing wear is a specialised form of functional clothing that meets the specific requirements of sailing. But that only tells half the story. Your sailing clothing is also your faithful companion on the water, helping you carry out all your activities on board in comfort, without restricting movement, while at the same time protecting you from the wind and weather. So it's much more than just functional clothing, and more than just a fashion statement. With that in mind, you should look after your sailing wear and treat it well, making sure it is kept clean and cared for thoroughly on a regular basis.
Why is it important to care for sailing clothing?
- Well protected in any weather: The weather can change quickly on a boat. Rain, wind and spray go with the territory. So, well-kept sailing jackets and trousers will keep you warm and dry, even when you're exposed to stormy weather.
- Protection from water, wind and sun: If you look after your sailing gear, it will also look after you when the weather is good. In this case, from the harmful UV light from the sun.
- Breathability is what you need: Sailing can really make you sweat. Which is why sailing wear must be breathable. Regular washing and waterproofing ensures that this is maintained, and it will keep you dry no matter how much you sweat.
- Longer life: Good sailing clothing doesn't always come cheap. It can easily cost hundreds of euros to get what you need. It therefore makes sense to care for your gear regularly and make sure your investment lasts, which it will do if done right. Care for your sailing wear correctly and avoid having to buy new gear after a short time.
The effects of salt water and sweat on the membrane
When it comes into contact with salt water, fine salt crystals are deposited on the fabric of jackets, trousers and shoes. The salt crystals can clog the fine pores of your sailing clothing - both from the outside through seawater and from the inside through sweat that is released. If sailing at sea, it is therefore particularly important to regularly clean the outside of your clothing with fresh water to dissolve the salt crystals. Sailing clothes can be put in the washing machine at 30 degrees without any problems and be washed with a special functional clothing detergent. However, fabric softener, washing powder and bleach should be avoided. We also advise against drying in the direct sun. In the following sections, we go into more detail about what you need to bear in mind when washing functional clothing.
Preparation & avoiding mistakes when washing oilskins
Four myths when it comes to caring for sailing clothing
- Myth 1: Washing oilskins is not
necessary
Reality: washing your functional clothing is recommended, depending on how often you use it. Washing clears salt deposits out of the pores, removes dirt and maintains functionality - ensuring that you can enjoy your clothes for as long as possible. - Myth 2: Washing functional clothing damages the
waterproof membrane
Reality: Modern sailing clothing with waterproof membranes such as GORE-TEX® can be machine-washed without issue. However, follow the instructions on the care labels and use a special detergent for functional textiles. Regular cleaning of sailing clothing maintains breathability and waterproofness.
- Myth 3: Salt water does not damage functional
clothing
Reality: Salt crystals, whether from seawater or sweat, can clog the pores of the tissue. This impairs the waterproofness and breathability of the clothing. - Myth 4: Dry cleaning is better than home
cleaning
Reality: Dry cleaning is not always the best way to clean your clothes. This depends on the properties of the respective garment or material. The fabric and membrane of functional clothing can often not be washed with the cleaning agents used in dry cleaning as it will damage them. Check the care label on the garment to be sure. Dry cleaning is usually not necessary anyway, because the level of dirtiness is not normally so high that it won't come out in a regular wash.
What not to do: Avoid these mistakes when washing oilskins
There are a few things to bear in mind when washing functional clothing. Use this checklist when washing your functional clothing to be sure you're doing it safely.
- Never use fabric softener. Fabric softener becomes trapped in the fibres and has a water- repellent effect. The fabric on the inside is then not able to absorb sweat and wick it away to the outside.
- Do not use bleach. The chemical properties of bleach can damage the membrane and coatings of clothing and render them unusable.
- Do not use mild detergent. Mild detergents usually contain fragrances that can have a negative effect on the water-repellent surface of the outer fabric.
- Do not use washing powder. The fine powder settles in the pores of the textile membrane and clogs them over time. As a result, the membrane loses functionality.
- Only wash functional clothing together with other similar clothing. You should wash your sailing clothing separately and only with other functional clothing in the machine.
- Do not use conventional stain removers. For stubborn stains, there are special stain removers developed for functional clothing.
- Do not wash too hot: Do not wash above 40 °C and only on a gentle cycle.
- Do not spin: As a rule, functional clothing must not be spun, but with some manufacturers it is ok to spin briefly at a maximum of 600 revolutions. Again, check the washing label.
Care instructions on the label
Not all functional clothing is the same! Even if the material is identical, the properties of the different garments may differ depending on the manufacturer. Accordingly, functional clothing cannot be washed automatically under the same conditions without prior inspection.
As with any other clothing, it helps to take a look at the washing label when washing functional clothing. The washing symbols on the label are there to help you clean your clothes properly. But what do the symbols stand for? Here we explain the symbols and their meaning.
Washing and drying oilskins - how it's done
In addition to conventional dirt, salt crystals (seawater and sweat) and fats (e.g. oil and grease) are particularly common. Hygiene products such as creams, suntan lotion or make-up can stick to your clothing and affect its breathability and water-repellent properties. But because special clothing also requires special care, some preparation is needed here.
Which detergents to use?
First of all, it is important to know which detergent cleans and cares for functional clothing particularly well. As a general rule, it is always advisable to wash functional clothing with special detergent. Functional clothing detergent is specially designed for cleaning sensitive garments and is particularly gentle on the fabric and membrane. More specifically, when choosing a detergent, you should always opt for a liquid detergent and never use powder detergents. Fabric softener and bleach are also not recommended for the care of your boat clothing. We offer a range of detergents for functional clothing that are specially designed to be compatible with your clothing.
Let’s get your sailing clothes in the wash
You can wash your oilskins in the machine without worry. In fact, machine washing is generally preferable to hand washing, as the detergent can be better distributed in the washing machine. However, there are a few things you should bear in mind when washing oilskins in the washing machine. Play it safe with our tips for washing functional clothing.
- Read the care instructions on the washing label
- Always wash functional clothing separately
- Close zips and press studs and don't leave any cords hanging loose.
- Turn functional clothing inside out and wash in a wash bag if possible
- Select the correct temperature accordingly (30 degrees is usually recommended, but never more than 40 degrees)
- Choose the right wash cycle (gentle cycle is recommended)
- After the washing cycle, rinse to remove all detergent residues.
Washing oilskins - How often is ok?
The frequency of washing your clothing depends on how often it is used and how dirty it is. However, even if it is not obviously dirty, it is advisable to wash the clothing regularly to maintain its special properties such as breathability and water-repellency. Nevertheless, your clothing should not be washed excessively because, as with conventional clothing, detergent clogs functional clothing a little with each wash. As is so often the case, the motto here is: as little as possible, as often as necessary.
Drying sailing clothes
Once washed, it has to dry. When drying your sailing gear, as with washing, there are also a few things to consider. There are essentially two ways to dry your functional clothing properly.
- Air dry: Hang your functional clothing in a well-ventilated place, preferably in the shade. Avoid direct sunlight, as this can fade the colours and damage the fibres.
- In the tumble dryer: But check the care label on your clothes. If tumble drying is possible, use at a low temperature (at a maximum of 60 degrees for approx. 30 minutes). Make sure that the clothes are not left in the tumble dryer for too long to avoid overheating.
DWR and waterproofing
Functional clothing has many more special features than normal clothing. This includes, in particular, the water-repellent effect of the fabric. However, this property wears off after some time. The good news is that the waterproofing can be refreshed, making the clothing functional and durable again.
What is Durable Water Repellent (DWR)?
The abbreviation DWR stands for "durable water repellent" and it does what it says on the tin. Textiles with DWR impregnation keep their outer fabric dry, as water droplets cannot adhere to the surface. Similar to the lotus effect in nature, the drops simply roll off. This is particularly important for functional clothing, as it ensures that the waterproof membrane can "breathe" and allows body moisture to escape to the outside.
However, the protection provided by DWR impregnation is not always as durable as the name suggests. If the garment is used regularly, the waterproofing must be renewed. To do this, it is advisable to apply additional impregnation occasionally, so give it a touch up, or completely re-apply impregnation as if from scratch. This is the only way to permanently maintain your functional clothing's waterproofing nature and breathability.
Restoring and refreshing the impregnation
The protective coating on your clothing can wear off if used intensively, and washing can also reduce the water-repellent function gradually. However, there are various ways to give your clothing a waterproofing boost.
Before using an impregnation spray or splashing out on a waterproofing agent when there is no need, a simple test can be done to check whether the waterproofing is still intact. All you need to do is pour a little water over various parts of the garment. If you notice the water rolls off in droplets, it is still waterproof. If the water soaks into the fabric, you need to touch up. There are several ways to do this: Reactivate the impregnation, wash it in again or treat functional clothing with impregnation spray.
To reactivate the DWR impregnation, the clothing can be placed in the tumble dryer again for around 30 minutes at a maximum temperature of 60 °C. The heat causes the impregnation to be reactivated.
If this does not work, you can also waterproof it with a wash cycle in the washing machine. The right waterproofing agent for your clothing is important here. There are special detergents for waterproofing that you can use in a wash cycle. Do this after a normal wash cycle has been performed. Here too, do not use fabric softener! After treatment with a waterproofing agent, your clothes should also be put in the tumble dryer.
Alternatively, waterproofing spray can also be used to make clothing functional again. Simply follow the manufacturer's instructions and apply the spray evenly to the entire outer material. Running the garment through the tumble dryer can also improve the effect of the impregnation.
Cleaning and waterproofing boat shoes
Boots and sailing shoes are also part of the standard clothing used on board. And these also require regular care.
Classic moccasin leather boat shoes are easy to clean with a sponge and water from the tap. Doing so will remove dirt and salt deposits and the shoes can then be left to dry in the sun. A good tip is to use some newspaper to remove the last remaining moisture from the inside. After cleaning and drying, apply colour-neutral shoe polish to the leather surface and rub in thoroughly with a soft cloth or sponge.
As an alternative to using shoe polish, you can waterproof your boat shoes by using special care and waterproofing sprays. To waterproof boat shoes, simply spray waterproofing evenly over the entire shoe from a distance of around 20 cm. Then allow to dry and repeat the process 2- 3 times with a waiting time of 10 - 15 minutes. This not only keeps your shoes looking good, but also protects them from dirt and moisture.
Waterproofing agents
Putting away and storing
Your functional clothing will last even longer if you put it away separately when not in use, for example in autumn when you are not at sea. Here's what you need to bear in mind.
Tips for correct storage to extend the service life
Washing your functional clothing correctly and treating with waterproofing spray are important, but equally important is storing your clothing correctly when it is not in use. Here we explain what you should bear in mind with regard to the correct storage of shoes, sailing jacket and sailing trousers.
- Avoid mould and damp stains. Only a small amount of moisture is enough to cause mould and mildew stains to form on your oilskins during storage in winter. Therefore, dry your clothes and shoes thoroughly before storing them in a box or similar.
- Use clothes hangers. If possible, use a clothes hanger when putting away functional clothing. This prevents unsightly bulges or creases in clothing.
- Do not crease clothing. When folding the clothing, do not compress it too much, otherwise creases and folds may form and damage the functionality of the membrane in the long term
Summary
Your boat clothing is an important part of your boating equipment. Careful care will lengthen its life and ensure that it will reliably protect you in the next season. Proper care is crucial to ensure functionality and durability for a long time. Regular cleaning and waterproofing is the only way to maintain the breathability and water- repellent function of your sailing clothing.