How to properly wash a jacket with a membrane. How and with what to wash the membrane: jacket and other clothes. Rules for washing membrane clothing

Membrane jackets 20 years ago were exclusively an attribute of professional skiers; you won’t sweat or get wet in them. IN modern world such clothes are available to everyone. But when purchasing it, you should understand how and what to wash it with. membrane jacket so that it serves for a long time, because the thing is quite expensive.

You need to wash your membrane jacket often because, due to its porous structure, it quickly absorbs dirt. But few people decide to clean it because they are afraid of ruining the thing.

Operating principle and properties of the membrane

To fully understand why ordinary washing is completely unsuitable, you need to clarify the special characteristics of this fabric. It is represented by a thin mesh with pores, which are responsible for retaining heat and preventing moisture from passing through. Unique properties include:

  • Water-repellent effect - the canvas does not allow water to pass through and will not let you get wet even in heavy rain.
  • The fabric does not allow wind to pass through, so you will not get wind in such clothes, they are comfortable and warm in any weather.
  • Breathable effect - the fabric breathes, so evaporation does not linger on the body, but immediately exits through the porous material. This property makes the membrane the best fabric for sportswear.
  • Heat retention - despite its light weight, the membrane retains heat well. If in winter you meet a person wearing a light jacket who does not freeze, you can assume that it is made of a membrane.

The question of how to wash a membrane jacket is very relevant, because if it is not properly cared for, all of the above properties will stop working correctly. This does not mean that things cannot be cleaned, it just needs to be done in accordance with special rules.

Cleaning instructions

Due to its porous structure, the membrane gets very dirty when worn, so it is necessary to clean the pores of the material - this will restore its breathability. When playing sports, people sweat a lot, which negatively affects the membrane, polluting and destroying it.

When washing, you must follow the rules established specifically for this fabric. So, during the washing process forbidden:

  1. Use ordinary powder, since its crystals will clog the porous structure, clothing will lose the possibility of effective air exchange, but this is its main advantage. You can ruin a thing like this after the first time.
  2. Use conditioners and rinses - they negatively affect the membrane and spoil its water-repellent characteristics.
  3. Wash in too hot water - the temperature should not exceed 40 degrees. If this rule is not followed, the pores of the membrane stick together and the item becomes unwearable. When cleaning in boiling water, the color of the jacket almost always changes, becoming dark brown.
  4. Dry things on the radiator and iron them, because the pores of the water melt under the influence of high temperature.
  5. Use household chemicals containing chlorine. Chlorine damages fabric; under the influence of this substance, the membrane stops repelling water and gets wet.
  6. Squeeze the jacket out of the membrane. Twisting also destroys pores, forming tears and stretch marks.

What to wash

Membrane items need to be washed even more often than usual so that the pores do not become dirty.

In addition to clarifying the rules on how to wash a membrane jacket, you should choose the right cleaning products. It is forbidden to use ordinary powder; you should wash it with special liquid products that will not cause deformation.

Washing process in a washing machine

To wash a membrane jacket in a washing machine, it is forbidden to use products with chlorine, it damages the fabric, it will begin to leak water and lose all the properties for which it is so valued. It is better to spend money, but buy a specialized product for membrane fabric.

The jacket does not need to be soaked before washing, because the membrane will get too wet and deteriorate. You don't need a spin either; the item is wrapped in a towel, which will absorb all the moisture.

Here is an algorithm for washing a membrane jacket in a washing machine:

  • Wash separately from other items.
  • You need to set a gentle washing mode - as a rule, it is “Wool” or “Hand Wash”.
  • The spin must first be turned off, otherwise the product will lose its properties.
  • Set the temperature to no more than 30 degrees.

Yes, machine cleaning is allowed, but hand washing is preferable for membrane fabric. This way, the risk of ruining expensive clothes is minimal.

Drying and care process

Drying a membrane jacket is no less important than washing it. Pay special attention to the following points:

  • After finishing washing, you need to take the jacket and lightly press it with your hands to remove most of the moisture.
  • Then the item is wrapped in a terry towel, which will absorb all excess moisture.
  • Drying requires a flat surface - for example, a table, ironing board, drying rack.
  • The item should not be exposed to sunlight.
  • The room should be ventilated.
  • Dry the jacket only until it is completely dry; do not iron it.
  • If necessary, the membrane should be treated with a special impregnation.
  • Clothes should be stored in special bags on hangers.

How often can you cleanse?

After clarifying all the nuances of the process of cleaning membrane fabric, most owners of such things prefer not to wash them at all. This is also wrong, since when the pores of the fabric become dirty, it loses its properties. The mesh becomes clogged with particles of dust and dirt. It is recommended to wash 2-3 times per season.

If there are stains on the jacket, there is no need to re-wash it in the machine. Simply moisten a clothes brush with soap and warm water and wipe the dirty areas. The remaining dirt will be removed well in this way.

Now, after receiving information about washing and caring for membrane fabric, you don’t have to worry that the jacket will no longer protect you from cold and wind.

How to wash membrane clothes is not the only question that worries potential buyers. The average person does not understand why the membrane has its own characteristics: lightness, water-repellent properties and at the same time the ability to retain heat.

The answers lie in the uniqueness of such fabric.

Due to perforation (micro size), excess warm air escapes from inside the clothing, and the path for cold air is closed, because the holes open only with sufficient pressure of warm air from the body. There simply cannot be such pressure from the outside, so cold air does not penetrate inside the clothes.

Another possible reason for the waterproofness membrane clothing: a special hydrophilic film is glued to the outer layer of the fabric (under the influence of high temperature). It is waterproof on the outside, and on the inside, due to free chemical bonds, it transfers vapor molecules outward from one layer to another.

The reason for the waterproofness of the fabric on the outside is its impregnation with special water-repellent compounds in the manufacturing plant.

In order for clothes to retain their properties, you need to follow some rules for wearing them:

  • The first layer of clothing (underwear) should be thermal underwear (cotton fabrics cannot be used - this will worsen the microclimate near the body).
  • It is better to wear a wool or fleece sweater as a second layer of clothing.
  • The third layer will be the membrane outerwear itself.

If the weather conditions are not too cold, then it is possible to wear only two layers of clothing: the first and third.

The advantages of the fabric are undeniable, especially for children, athletes and tourists, but the question of caring for modern membrane clothing remains open.

Features of washing things made of membrane fabric

Membrane items need to be washed a little more often than regular outerwear, because over time their pores become clogged with both dirt from the outside and sweat from the inside.

You cannot wash things with a membrane using ordinary means. A simple powder can clog the pores of a jacket or other item of clothing, causing the fabric to lose its properties. If you use regular conditioners or bleaches, this can also damage the properties of the fabric.

If you wash things with chlorine-containing products, excessive perforation of the membrane layer will occur, which will lead to the loss of the water-repellent property of a jacket or other outerwear.

How to wash membrane clothes? Only with special delicate means. If you don’t dig potatoes in such an outfit, then you won’t need strong compounds and laundry or baby soap can serve as an alternative. Soap solutions will help remove stubborn stains and will come in handy for preventive washing.

If, due to ignorance or some other reason, you managed to wash membrane clothing using conventional ingredients, then you should not despair and run out to buy a new jacket. Impregnating compounds specially created for the membrane will help restore lost properties and free pores from blockages.

The membrane does not need to be soaked, and there is no need to wring it out after hand washing. To remove excess moisture from membrane fabric, wrap it in a terry towel (or bathrobe). The water will be absorbed, and the expensive item will repay you with a long service life.

Membrane clothes can only be washed manually. If you decide to wash an expensive item in a washing machine, you can say goodbye to all its unique properties. You just need to squeeze it a little in a basin with a soapy solution, and then bathe it in clean water (you need to change the water several times). It is better to wash clothes in cold water, or slightly warmed (30-40 degrees will be enough).

Membrane fabrics are also afraid of ironing. Exposure to high temperatures can destroy something dear to your heart. If you washed the fabric correctly, you will not need to smooth out the creases.

How to properly dry clothes after washing

After washing, you need to straighten the membrane jacket or pants on a horizontal plane and smooth out all the wrinkles. The room should have sufficient air exchange and not very high temperatures. The immediate drying area must be kept away from heating radiators.

The membrane cannot be hung outside in direct sunlight - after such a procedure, whitish spots from fading may remain on the fabric, which cannot be revived under any circumstances.

On sale you can find special impregnations with moisture-repellent properties for the membrane. They come in the form of sprays or liquids, the main ingredient of which is fluoride. By using this product, you can not only restore the water-repellent properties of the item, but also prevent the penetration of contaminants deep into the material and the negative effects of sunlight (ultraviolet spectrum).

When is it time to use impregnation? When water has stopped rolling off the surface of the membrane jacket or pants. If you feel like the fabric is starting to get wet, it’s time to use the resuscitator. Under production conditions, the fabric is treated with a special composition, which gives it the ability to repel moisture. Over time, various factors affect clothing: washing, friction against objects and body parts (backpack straps, hands in areas around pockets) - all this contributes to the thinning of the protective layer. In order for clothing to be used for its intended purpose for a long time, it is necessary to treat it with such compounds.

Impregnation is carried out according to the instructions on the product packaging. There are 2 options possible:

  1. Spray the composition onto a membrane jacket or pants and leave until completely dry when using the composition as a spray.
  2. Soak the membrane items in the composition (without dilution or adding water) for a while if using a liquid product.

Both types of impregnation will have an equally good effect.

Membrane clothes must be washed before impregnation. If you wash it afterward, you will have to repeat the procedure for restoring water-repellent properties. It is important to maintain the correct dosage of the composition - if you overdo it, you will lose the properties of air exchange with the environment.

How to store membrane clothes

Membrane clothing must be washed according to the rules; there are also rules for storing such items. You cannot twist or fold such clothes; the ideal option would be to hang them on hangers and place them in a cover (can be made of fabric or cellophane). Before storing clothes, it is recommended to wash them and soak them in restorative compounds.

If you wear your clothes correctly, wash them in a timely manner and impregnate them with water-repellent compounds, your clothes will last you for many years.

03/12/2017 2 4 408 views

Before you figure out how to wash membrane clothes at home, you need to understand what this material is and what its features are. The fabric is very light, yet has water-repellent and heat-retaining properties.

The thing is that the membrane material has a very interesting structure:

  1. The fabric has very fine perforations, which help excess heat not to linger and escape, so the person does not sweat. But these same small holes do not allow cold air to get inside.
  2. Water does not get inside because the outer layer of fabric is covered with a transparent film. In addition, a special water-repellent composition is applied on top.

How to prepare material for washing?

Membrane clothing needs to be washed much more often than regular clothes, because from exposure to the external environment, small pores become clogged with dirt and the fabric loses its ability. Before you start washing, you need to assess the nature of the contamination. If there are traces of dirt on your clothing that have not yet dried, let it dry and then remove it with a soft sponge. It is better to wash membrane fabric by hand and do not use regular powder; it should be replaced with liquid detergent.

Indications and contraindications

When purchasing items made from membrane fabric, you should take into account its features and that some cleaning products are simply contraindicated for use. Bleach or conditioner are not suitable for washing; these products can damage the structure of the fabric.

It is strictly forbidden to use chlorine-containing substances for washing, as their use will lead to clogging of pores, therefore, the clothes will lose their original characteristics.

Membrane clothes cannot be washed in a washing machine; rough mechanical action will damage the fabric. Membrane clothing can only be cleaned with delicate substances, which will be quite sufficient if there is no heavy contamination.

What to wash with?

When you first come across membrane clothing, it seems that you can’t wash it with anything at all and that any detergent will damage the fragile fabric, but this is far from the case. To wash clothes by hand, you can use various soap solutions that do not contain aggressive ingredients.

Liquid or laundry soap

You can remove visible dirt from the surface of membrane clothing using a soap solution. To prepare it, you can use laundry or regular baby soap.

  1. You should not rub your clothes with it; it is better to dissolve a small amount in warm water and then immerse your jacket in it.
  2. Using gentle movements, use a sponge to wipe the clothes in the right places.
  3. After removing dirt, rinse well in running water and hang on the bathtub to let the water drain. Do not squeeze the membrane.

Special products for membrane fabric

It is best to clean membrane fabric with special shampoos created specifically for this fabric. No substances that could damage the material can be found in the composition. Washing water should not be hot, the maximum temperature is 40 degrees.

  • most often such solutions are poured into a small amount of water, into which the jacket itself is then immersed;
  • As soon as it is completely saturated with moisture, go over the entire surface with kneading movements. Do not rub the fabric;
  • if there are serious stains on the clothes, then you can first soak them for a short time, and then use a soft brush to go over the necessary places;
  • When the main cleaning process is completed, the jacket is rinsed in running water and hung to drain over the bathtub.

Laundry capsules

You can wash membrane items with more conventional products. For example, an Ariel capsule is suitable, which is pierced and the contents are poured into warm water. The jacket is washed in the same way as described above. The main thing is to rinse well. Such capsules ensure that there are no soap marks left on clothes, and they are hypoallergenic.

Sprays and impregnations

When all dirt has been removed and the jacket is dry. An important step is its further processing with special impregnations and sprays. Such products are sold in specialized stores, however, you cannot do without them if you want your clothes to last a long time. A special spray is applied to the clean surface of the jacket; there is no need to rinse it off. This must be done at least a couple of hours before leaving so that the impregnation is well absorbed. This treatment will protect the membrane material from moisture and various street dust.

Is it possible to wash it in a machine?

Most models made of membrane fabric are not suitable for automatic washing; there is relevant information about this on the tag. However, very thick items can be machine washed on a delicate cycle; there should also be information about this on the label.

The membrane fabric has a high water-repellent and dirt-repellent effect and retains heat perfectly.

Clothes made from this fabric are light, warm and very practical. Why does the membrane have such properties?

Membrane tissue structure

The fabric retains heat due to the unique texture of the material; if you look through a magnifying glass, you can see small cells that, when the temperature rises, release warm air, but, on the contrary, do not allow cold air to pass through. It turns out a kind of microclimate to maintain a comfortable human temperature. The membrane is covered with an invisible film on top and treated with a special water-repellent agent. All this allows the fabric to remain dry from the inside.

Subtleties when washing membranes


It’s no wonder that products made from such fabric require special care.

If the dirt is quite strong, the dirt has not yet dried, let it dry and clean it with a soft sponge.

Now you can proceed directly to washing, you cannot wash it, it will clog all the “pores” and the fabric will lose its wonderful properties.

In addition to regular powder, when washing membrane fabric, you cannot use conditioner, bleach, chlorine-containing substances and other aggressive agents.


Therefore, we use only special membrane detergent, as a rule, it is liquid.

The instructions for the product indicate that it can also be used in, but in order to preserve the product for a long time, we recommend washing it by hand.


So, take the required amount of product and follow the instructions. Don't forget to wear gloves.

Pour a small amount of water not exceeding 40 degrees into a basin, pour in the membrane washing agent, mix and immerse our product in the solution. Let the fabric get wet and start washing.

In no case should we rub it, we wash it only with kneading movements.

After that, rinse thoroughly in cold water (more than three times), and without squeezing, hang it over the bathtub to drain.

Preferably on a flat surface, carefully straightening out all the folds. The room should be fresh and cool; direct sunlight on clothing should not be allowed. Do not dry on radiators or other heating devices.


After each wash, impregnation must be applied to the membrane. When the product has dried, apply a special spray to a clean and dry cloth. Then, without rinsing, let it soak in and after two to three hours we can safely use it.

This procedure is necessary because when washing, the old impregnation is washed off.

If the fabric is not re-treated, it will not protect you as effectively as it did before washing. This product can be purchased in any specialized stores or online. Some suppliers also sell impregnation on tap. This is convenient if the budget is limited, but it is more economical, of course, to buy a whole bottle.

Laundry or baby soap


In addition to special products for washing membrane clothes, you can use regular laundry or baby soap. We proceed according to the following algorithm:

  • dissolve soap in water;
  • immerse clothes in soap solution;
  • Wipe with a soft sponge in contaminated areas, without pressing;
  • rinse and let the water drain over the bath, without spinning.

Washing the membrane in an automatic machine

Most membrane products cannot be washed in a machine, but there are clothes made of thick fabric and this type of care is possible.


This one, study it carefully. If you decide to machine wash, consider the following points:

  • wash only with ;
  • without spinning and rinsing:
  • without detergents.

If it is heavily soiled, the washing machine may not be able to handle it and the product will need to be washed by hand again.

What detergents for washing membrane clothes can you buy?

Here are several manufacturers of membrane care products:


In addition, it can be used on polyester fabrics.


The price is significantly lower than other products.



With good rinsing, the manufacturer guarantees the absence of soap stains on clothes.

Care and wear of membrane clothing


There are some other recommendations for caring for membrane products:

  • Clothes should never be ironed, the cells will stick together and the item can be thrown away;
  • the product must be regularly treated with water-repellent sprays;
  • To protect clothes from dust, store them in special fabric or plastic bags in a straightened state.

When wearing membrane clothing, there are also some tricks.


For example, under a jacket or overalls you need to wear thermal underwear and a jumper made of special materials (Outlast, Polartec, Windbloc).

If you wear a woolen sweater or a knitted T-shirt, then during intense exercise your body will sweat. The membrane will not be able to remove excess moisture.


When worn correctly, membrane clothing is very comfortable and lightweight, which is very important for babies who need to move quickly. This is impossible in heavy cotton and thick padding jackets and overalls. The membrane will not allow you to get wet in the rain, while it will “breathe”, and the fumes will escape out. There is also no need to be afraid of strong winds; the membrane is not blown through; when the wind blows, the cells close and you feel warm and comfortable.

Of course, things made from membrane are not cheap, but with proper care they will last you for many years.



Wash a jacket with a membrane it is needed quite often, since due to its porous structure it becomes very dirty. However, few people know how to wash it, as they are afraid of ruining their clothes. In our article we will talk about how to wash a jacket with a membrane at home in a washing machine and by hand.

In the washing machine

Before I tell you how to wash a jacket with a membrane in a washing machine, I would like to clarify that for washing such a thing Do not use detergents that contain chlorine. It can significantly damage the waterproof coating, causing the jacket to no longer protect its owner from the rain. To wash such outerwear, you need to buy a special product.

A jacket with a membrane should not be soaked before washing, as the fabric may become too wet and deteriorate. You can’t wring out such a jacket either; after washing, it should be wrapped in fabric that absorbs moisture well.

So, in order to successfully wash a jacket with a membrane in a washing machine, you need to perform the following set of actions:

  • First, you should put the jacket in the washing machine separately from any other things.
  • You need to choose the most delicate washing mode. For washing jackets with a membrane The “Wool” and “Hand Wash” modes are best suited..
  • Spin should be turned off immediately, since during the spin cycle there is a possibility that your jacket with a membrane will lose most of its unique properties after washing.
  • The water temperature when washing should be no higher than 30 degrees.
  • After washing is complete, carefully remove the clothes from the washing machine, find a cotton towel and wrap it around your membrane jacket to get rid of excess moisture.
  • After this, hang the jacket in a room that is well ventilated and out of direct sunlight.

It is permissible to wash a jacket with a membrane in a washing machine, but still, hand washing for membrane items will be more suitable, since the risk of ruining the clothes is reduced to a minimum.

Hand wash

To properly wash a membrane jacket at home by hand, you should know that Do not soak it before washing.

To wash a jacket with a membrane by hand at home, do the following:

  • First, the jacket should be wet, but do not leave it in water for a long time, as this will cause the protective layer to become wet and lose its properties.
  • Take a special detergent for washing a jacket with a membrane, apply it, spreading it evenly over the surface.
  • After this, you should rinse the jacket under a tap with warm water to remove the detergent and avoid leaving streaks.
  • Dry a jacket with a membrane in the same way as when washing it in a washing machine.

It should be noted that hand washing is safer for membrane items than washing in a washing machine. Therefore, in order to effectively wash a jacket with a membrane at home, it is better to give preference to it.



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