How do I wash a wax finish?
→ Cleaning your yellow wax: our practical guide
Have you stained your yellow oilcloth and are wondering how to clean it without damaging it? Don't panic, we've got it covered!
Before you get started, there are a few things you need to know about cleaning yellow waxed fabric to preserve its shine and water resistance. Designed to withstand the elements, yellow oilskins are often made from synthetic materials such as PVC or polyurethane, which require special care. Inadequate cleaning can damage the material or alter its vivid color.
To remove a stain from a yellow waxed finish, use a damp sponge with soap (avoiding the abrasive side of the sponge) and rub lightly.
If that's not enough, we recommend using hydro-alcoholic gel on a dry cloth, rubbing the stain (taking care not to rub too hard), then rinsing with a damp sponge. The gel is powerful enough for stubborn stains without damaging the fabric of your yellow oilskin.
Finally, to machine-wash your waxed fabric , we recommend a gentle cycle at 30° inside out. Never tumble-dry, as this may damage the fabric.
→ How do you wash a marine oilskin?
To and wash it properly, it's advisable to avoid abrasive powders and sponges, as they can scratch the surface of the garment. The best is to use a soft sponge soaked in warm, soapy water. You can also mix water with soda ash to prevent yellowing of the waxed finish or remove stubborn stains.
To prolong the life of your waxed finish, it's essential to follow simple but precise steps. This includes choosing the right cleaning products, the right way to dry it, and what not to do to damage its protective coating.
It's important to choose quality equipment if you want to get out on the water in the best possible conditions. In all sports, your clothing will be exposed to perspiration, the elements and snags.
That's why it's essential to choose the rightfabric care products. Technical clothing requires a specialized detergent. This same detergent, in the right dosage, will extend the life of your watch jacket or neoprene wetsuit.
→ What about other technical clothing?
There are many types of clothing designed for water sports. Often costly, it's up to you to look after them well to extend their lifespan so you can get the most out of them.
➡️Watch jacket
The first essential step is to rinse your watch jacket and overalls thoroughly in clear, warm water after every sail, even in calm weather, to remove salt crystals that damage zippers and waterproof fabrics. We recommend rinsing in the shower, then hanging clothes up to dry.
In the event of stains or odors, hand-wash or machine-wash (for certain equipment such as Gore-tex) is possible, but avoid traditional detergents and prefer those for technical garments. Drying should be by drip-drying, without using a tumble-dryer. During this stage, it's important to turn pockets and hoods inside out to facilitate drying.
Finally, check the condition of the jacket and overalls, and in the event of tears, repairwithneoprene glue and coated fabric, or call in a professional if necessary, especially for top-of-the-range equipment.
➡️ Deck shoes
Maintenance of deck shoes, like that of jackets and overalls, is essential to prolong their life. Leather deck shoes, similar to traditional moccasins, should be cleaned with clear water and a sponge to remove dirt and salt deposits. After cleaning, they can be dried in the sun, and the interior stuffed with newspaper to absorb moisture. Once dry, a colorless shoe polish can be applied to nourish the leather.
As an alternative to shoe polish, you can use a waterproofing spray. Simply spray the product about 20 cm from the shoes, allow to dry, then repeat the operation 2 or 3 times to protect the shoes from moisture and dirt.
➡️ Leather boots
After multiple uses, leather boots need a cream to moisturize them and revive their shine. Dubarry Leather Cream is an excellent choice for maintaining even the most damaged leather. Used with Dubarry Shoe Cleaner, you can extend the life of your boots, without worrying about them deteriorating as you go out to sea.
➡️ Neoprene wetsuits
All you need to do is rinse it thoroughly with clear water and use the brand's neoprene cleaner. This product cleans and lubricates the suit, reducing friction when you put it on.
Salt: the number 1 enemy of marine oilskins
The hydrolysis caused by salt stagnating on your yellow oilskin is the main factor in its wear and tear. It will clog your zippers and cause your garments to lose their waterproof and breathable properties. The salt will also leave significant whitish marks on the surface of your gear.
Combating salt-related wear and tear is quite simple. All you have to do is rinse your clothes in fresh water after each outing. Ideally, you should rinse your garment under warm water to help dissolve the salt crystals.
Then lay your garment on a hanger or drying rack to drain and dry naturally, if possible without direct exposure to the sun and its UV rays, which are harmful to technical textiles.
→ Washing yellow oilskins and watch jackets: how to proceed
Just like a classic garment, it's important to follow certain instructions for your marine oilskin or technical garment. These instructions are indicated on the label of each product, but several principles are common to all:
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Use special detergent for technical garments, or mild detergent, which is made without detergents and, like traditional detergents, avoids leaving soap deposits in the fabric's micropores.
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Do not usefabric softener
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Let your garment dry naturally, not in a tumble-dryer or on a radiator.
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Unless otherwise indicated, wash at 30°C maximum in the washing machine.
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Do not iron waterproof garments
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Close zippers to prevent them from damaging your garments in the machine.
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Wash inside out
If possible, select an abundant rinse program to remove all detergent residues. And to understand the specific washing requirements for your yellow oilskin or shift jacket, it's important to understand the meaning of the symbols on their labels. Here's a summary of the main ones:
→ Reactivate the water repellency of your yellow oilskin
In addition to spray-on waterproofers, there are several techniques you can use to restore your garment to its former water repellency. Please note that we're talking here about water repellency, the layer that allows water to slide off to preserve the waterproof membrane.
➡️ The waterproofing bombs mentioned above
➡️ Once your garment is completely dry, tumble dry for 10 minutes on a delicate program. The heat will reactivate the water repellency. However, do not expose it to the dryer for more than the recommended 10 minutes.
➡️ Place a towel between the garment and an iron in delicate mode, without steam. The same principle is used, i. e. heat reactivates water-repellency . However, don't hold the iron over the garment for too long - a single pass is sufficient.
→ Take care of your foulies!
Whether you're looking to wash a small boat oilskin or wash a Guy Cotten oilskin, our textile care tips will help you preserve your oilskin jacket for many years to come. Your famous yellow foulies and other technical garments are an essential part of your nautical equipment.
Careful maintenance will prolong their life and ensure that they provide effective protection for your next outing. Regular cleaning and waterproofing are essential to maintain the breathability and water-repellent properties of your sailing clothes.
