In reply to jbarronton:
> Goretex and Event are not the same type of membrane
They're both ePTFE (very likely both using Gore's now elapsed patented process), but Gore-tex is protected by a thin layer of PU. Event uses a different oleophobic treatment (which long-term use is showing to be less than 100% effective: see later).
Ignore Gore's instructions.
They're written for the benefit of morons who buy Gore-tex because "it's the best, innit?", and don't actually give a monkey's stuff about the breathability of their clothing.
Gore want to make it look like their fabrics as 'easy care', which translates to 'stuff it in the wash with the rest of your washing'.
Anybody who actually wants to maintain the performance of a DWR treatment (on any DWR treated item) would be recommended NOT to use detergent only wash.
Detergent doesn't 'strip the DWR', contrary to widely held belief. However, it does bind rather well to the face fabric, thus negating the effect of the DWR; detergent tries to reduce the surface tension, DWR tries to increase it. Rinsing doesn't adequately remove these residues.
Soap doesn't bind to the fabric in the same way, and can usually be used to remove detergent residues if you've washed an item with detergent.
Event are now recommending a detergent wash followed by a soap wash to remove detergent residues IF you start to experience water coming through te fabric (due to reverse osmosis caused by dirt attracted into the pores by accumulated body oils). Soap washes aren't man enough to remove body oils, but detergents are. The moral is to wash your items fairly frequently, to prevent build-up of oils in the pores.
And if you use a detergent, use a liquid detergent; powders contain filling agents that can leave residues.
Clean the water path of your washing machine of detergent residue gunk first (or, preferably use a liquid detergent for your normal wash, dispensed with a ball so you don't get this build-up of clag in the first place...)
In reply to IainFP:
> How can detergent strip the waterproofing? I think you may need to check up on how gore tex works.
Gore's
waterproofing works by mechanical (and electrostatic) means. However, the DWR that is necessary to allow the garment to breathe, by preventing the face fabric 'wetting out' and acquiring a vapour-impermeable layer of water on the surface,
is compromised by detergents.
Now, if I had a pound for every time I've explained this topic...