Washing a Merrell Haven.... Nikwax?

[Suddengeekgirl]

I have a Merrell Haven that I bought last year.

Should I bung it in the machine with the usual non bio washing liquid or use something like nikwax?

(Wasn't sure if I should post here or good housekeeping!) :)

To be super safe use nikwax . It will protect the waterproofing . You can also buy another product to wash in some new waterproofing . It Should be ok with non bio but as it's an expensive coat it's worth the money for the right detergent .

Thanks! :)

That's what I thought, but as I've only used nikwax on the dcs ski jackets I wasn't sure if it would work on my coat as its made of very different fabric iyswim.

I'm a dry cleaner and we always wash waterproof jackets in nikwax products .

Never heard of nikwax before. Which product would you recommend with the Merrell haven and where do you get it from?

It's a range of products for waterproof clothing etc. You can get it online or from tack shops or country stores.

Thanks

I emailed nikwax earlier and this is what they sent

^If the garment is made from a synthetic fabric, is machine washable and doesn’t have a wicking lining I’d suggest washing it with Nikwax Tech Wash and then using Nikwax TX Direct Wash-In afterwards to proof.

If it is made from a cotton-based fabric, is machine washable and doesn’t have a wicking lining I’d suggest washing with Tech Wash and then using Nikwax Cotton Proof afterwards to proof.^

Going to have to study the label to work out what it's made of but suspect its synthetic.

Finally got some Nikwax this weekend so I'm going to wash it and dh's craghoppers coat later today.

Will post results....

I just washed mine with non bio - I never thought of using nikwax. I'll try it!

Never wash with detergent it will strip the waterproofing! The nikwax tech wash is good but be careful about spills. I set the cap of the wash down on my kitchen worktop and it marked it!

Well they're out the wash.

Mine looks fine -but still damp.

Dh's is absolutely sopping wet. I gave it an extra spin as I thought maybe the machine was too full but it made no difference. It is outside, dripping madly!

Have decided against using the re-waterproofing liquid dh also bought as I think they have wicking linings which would get ruined if they were waterproofed.

Keep us posted! My haven needs a wash

You can get the nikwax and grangers reproofers in spray form as well, so you can just do the outside.

To check if it needs doing flick some water at the coat. If it beads up into droplets and rolls off, your water repellent coating is fine. If it soaks in, reproof. The jacket will still be waterproof though as the membrane is inside, the coating stops the fabric getting sodden, but it will be sweatier and heavy with soaked up rain.

You can also use pure soap for washing.

My coat is finally dry! :)

And.... The nikwax tech wash stuff has worked.
It's clean and when I poured some water on it the water beaded up and rolled off like mercury!
I did it more than once because it was so cool!

abzs - I was going to get the spray but as the water is beading up I don't think it needs it. Thanks for the tip though!