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Fabrics Maintenance

Guy Cotten chooses the most suitable materials and fabrics for the best performance for each activity. To maintain the quality of these fabrics, it is essential to follow the recommendations on how to look after each item of clothing. Salt and UVs, in particular, are highly corrosive. To counter these, your all-weather gear should be frequently rinsed in fresh water. Prolonged periods in a damp environment should be avoided.

Recommended Care of your clothing

Breathable fabrics: Dremtech+

Salt is the number one enemy of breathable and water repellent fabrics, so they require special care!

Rinse your equipment in warm fresh water every time, after every sailing trip, and store it in a dry place.
The outer side of the textile has been treated to make it water repellent and hydrophobic. However, UVs, bad weather and washes can alter the effects of this treatment over time, resulting in a cold to the touch sensation and the feeling that the clothing is no longer waterproof. This is due to humidity which rises and condensates behind the membrane.
You need to restore its water repellence! Regular ironing of the outer fabric at a low temperature will regenerate the waterproofing to 80%.You must take action as soon as the outer fabric begins to be impregnated with water. outer side of the textile has been treated to make it water repellent and hydrophobic. However, UVs, bad weather and washes can alter the effects of treatment over time, resulting in a cold to the touch sensation and the feeling that the clothing is no longer waterproof. This is due to humidity which rises and condensates behind the membrane. You need to restore its water repellence! Regular iroof the outer fabric at a low temperature will regenerate the waterproofing to 80%.You must take action as soon as the outer fabric begins to be impregnated with water.
It is recommended to dry breathable fabrics on a hanger .

We Recommed Wikwax Treatments For All Our Dremtech+ Garments

Nikwax treatments coat fabric fibers with a network of elastic TX.10i water-repellent molecules. They bond to anything that is not water-repellent, but leave the spaces between fibers open and breathable. Nikwax treatments can flex and move with the fabric fibers. That is why Nikwax treatments can withstand several washings and remain.
The TX.10i adds tear strength to fabrics as well through lubrication of the fabric which the fibers to slide easily over one another.
The treatments also coat the fibers with the elastic polymer that is resilient and allows the fibers to flex a limited amount and return to their original position.

Coated fabrics: Cap Coz, Nylpeche, etc.

PVC textiles can be machine-washed at a maximum of 30°, on a wool cycle, with no fabric conditioner and no spin, and should be left to drip dry on your washing line or a hanger. PVC fabrics can also be washed by hand in warm water using soap and rubbing lightly.

Never use the tumble-drier.
Solvents, fabric conditioners, and bleach (even diluted!) and similar products damage the coating or impregnation and may have irremediable consequences on the fabric’s effectiveness.

The following substances are virtually indelible, particularly on fabrics coated with PVC

  • Tar.
  • Some forms of grease.
  • Various inks.
  • Unfixed colours (in certain conditions – heat, humidity – colours from other clothing or accessories can “migrate” onto your clothing). In such cases, these articles or faulty colours are the responsibility of the manufacturer!

Only immediate action can remove or reduce the stains: using a greasy substance (oil, fat) lightly applied with a sponge or a cloth.

Zip-fastener care:

  • A quick trick for freeing a zip slider jammed with salt: soak it in warm water (which dissolves the amalgams) then gently slide the slider the full length of the zip to remove it and reposition it. This will prevent the zip’s teeth from breaking.
  • We advise you to rinse your clothing in fresh water as soon as you get back from the sea. This will also reduce the feeling of weight and humidity when next used.