Maybe you won’t give a functional clothing or a blow during the winter. When you use it, take care of it, so that it can last as long as possible.
Over recent years, functional clothing has become a common part of the wardrobe of anyone who regularly devotes himself to some sport in nature. For mountain hikes, but also all kinds of skiing, skating, running or team games we rely on keeping us warm and dry. It lets moisture away from the body, and does not let water or water into the winter – when it suddenly starts to rain or unwittingly roll out in the snow.
If you bring these dream pieces from the store, they are perfect. They work – or at least they should work – just as manufacturers promise. But a few months, maybe one season. And with the next walk you will find that you swept into your shoes and the jacket could not withstand the show. The time has come for impregnation. To really restore the abilities and at the same time do not destroy a piece, you need to know how to work with it properly. And when not to use it at all.
Tingling
You can imagine impregnation as a type of varnish. A coating that covers the clothes. And like other types of varnish, it is “peeling” over time, so it stops working. Therefore, it is quite normal that you have to impregnate outdoor clothing regularly and it is no mistake of use or manufacturer. This also applies to clothing with membrane, which is typically a softshell material. He is destroying the most by absorbing our salty and oily sweat. And once the membrane breaks once, you must start impregnating.
Gel or spray?
Start by boiling or cleaning the clothes. If you impregnate stains, you will be very difficult to receive them from the fabric. When you buy impregnation, you will find classic sprays, but also to products that are added directly to washing. Although they will make the impregnation easier, they have two disadvantages. First, it means that you only have to wash the outer part of the garment. The laundry would be destroyed. And secondly, the impregnation is of course attached to the inside of the jackets and pants and thus worship their breathability.
It is therefore better to reach for classic spray impregnation. This means that you have to apply it manually, but on the other hand it will ensure better functionality of clothing. And you will be sure that she got really everywhere.
Bear
When the clothes are clean, let it only dry, but not to dry completely. It is better to apply impregnation to a damp textile. It soaks better and also catches in the drying fibers. Don’t rush. Although we sometimes tend to spray and go, it is not enough. On the contrary, apply it several times and do not be afraid to continue until the textile is visibly moist. As a result, the impregnation spray gets everywhere and also creates a sufficient layer that will last for a while.
A few times a year
Did you think that in such a quantity you will spend half of the payout for impregnation? Rather not. If you take care of sportswear correctly, there is no need to impregnate it often. Manufacturers usually mention about every or third washing. But that does not mean that you should wash functional pieces after each wear (for details in the box). Even what you wear very often, so you will wash about five times a year, maybe less. And you will be impregnated once, at most twice.
Shoes
Impregnation of shoes is the same as impregnating clothes. Or not? The first difference is in quantity. You should basically impregnate all shoes, including sneakers. Impregnation here is not only serving as protection of legs from water, but also the material of shoes from dirt deposits. And while clothing is impregnated only after “wipe” the first impregnation of production, or break the membrane, shoes are usually impregnated before first use. But be aware that some manufacturers impregnate their special impregnations of shoes in production and such shoes are sometimes impregnated after a long time – another impregnation could disrupt the desirable properties. But you can find this information in the information you get to buy. Directly in the store, in a box with shoes or in an e-mail if you were shopping over the Internet.
Roasted skin
For shoes much more than clothing depends on the material from which they are made. If you have leather shoes or shoes made of smooth or cut leather, it is usually used as a base cream or wax. It not only protects the skin, but also softens and nourishes and helps prevent its wear. Usually, it is recommended to heat the shoes a little before application (at a very low oven temperature or a hairdryer) and then rub evenly in the shoe. When it dries a little, but you can also impregnate the shoes with conventional impregnation suitable for the skin. They will better repel dirt.
Impermeable textile
Textile shoes, as well as the suede or nubuku, cut leather, usually spray just like clothing. In shoes or right when buying shoes, order impregnation that is suitable for them and if the shoes are not new, start by cleaning them. Even in this case, do not be afraid to apply several layers, so you will better protect the shoes. Repeat the whole procedure for about two weeks, every time the shoe surface begins to soak up the water.
Beware of the membrane
It’s the same as clothing – a membrane sometimes needs special treatment. It should not be heated not to crack, sometimes manufacturers do not deliver shoes initially impregnate or otherwise treat, sometimes it requires shoes. But even this information can be attached to the shoes. At least briefly, read them to walk in them for at least a few years.
Prefer not to
The washing machine is a brilliant invention and without it we can hardly imagine life today. But although it is effective, the fibers are slightly worn in each washing – because the rubbing in the drum occurs significantly stress than when wearing. This applies to all materials. But the functional ones can suffer even more. Moreover, there is much more risk that the structure of the fibers, the space between them and other properties that ensure their functionality are damaged. So if you want functional clothing to last a long time to work for your advantage, it is good to follow some principles of care for it:
- Washing limit it to minimum. If things are only sweaty, put them first ventilate. Most functional materials behave like a wool today – they have a self -cleaning function and it is quite possible that after ventilation you just fold them back into the wardrobe.
- Wash only the clothes that are dirty, AI When you find one small speck, consider if it is better to rewrite it individually in hand. Clothing usually dries very quickly, so it sometimes pays to use this old proven method instead of the washing machine.
- When the functional garments must be in the washing machine, see if you don’t have yours program intended to be determined Especially for functional or sports clothing. It is washed at a lower temperature, the washing machine let the laundry rinse more and does not squeeze so intense – most of these clothing does not need it at all. On the contrary, there is too strong spin can continue to destroy again.
- Despite what manufacturers say, there is no need to wash functional clothing every time in by a special detergent. He certainly will not hurt him, but if you are running out, nothing happens. Watch it without it, just stick to the following rules. Put your hands away from the classic powder, you should reach for the gel. But even that should not be on the basis of any soap. It, like the powder, could wrap the fibers and thus destroy their functionality. If you only have a powder, feel free to wash your clothes without detergent (or add a little white vinegar). And whatever your means, definitely save when dosing. The more the means, the more you damage the laundry. And this applies to the most expensive means designed specifically for functional underwear.
- Save them only completely dried. Beware of residual moisture that might want to multiply mold and other material destruction. If you ventilate the clothes outside and not dry, then give him a little more drying inside.
Where Impregnation does not belong:
Never impregnate clothes to remove moisture away from the body. Impregnation agents always belong only to those parts of clothing that, on the other hand, should not let it go. Impregnation therefore does not belong to:
- Functional underwear, whatever the material.
- Sweatshirts, sweaters and other warm layers, but you can wear another layer.
- Think about it when choosing a detergent, because today you may come across some that just contain a form of impregnation. If you are unsure, ask the manufacturer or a reliable outdoor equipment shop. It’s better than unnecessarily destroying an expensive piece of clothing.
Out with that
If it is a little done, it impregnates shoes and clothes outside. Sprays smell unpleasantly. And even if you are in the entrance hall or hallway, ventilate it. Of course, it is ideal to impregnate outdoors, if it does not blow – then half the impregnation could end somewhere else. Remember, too, it is not good to spray the impregnation on the pavement – it then glides properly. If you don’t have another place, pour an impregnated thing with a cardboard or other pad that doesn’t mind the spray.
