cyclezealot

Two days ago, I went on a very chilly ride. Wore my Gore tex jacket, so for the first time washed all the bike stuff in 'Nikewash,' I think it's called. Going on another chilly ride today. Put on the jersey and base layer. Smells awful. Does Gore tex designated soaps work at cleaning bike gear. Thought I used the right dose. The stuff is expensive too. But, want to keep my Gore Tex jacket, rain proof.
In fact sitting here at the desk, I totally stink. Glad the wife is in bed. Is Nike wash the best stuff to use? Along with my bike gear, I did put some additional clothes in the load that were in the hamper. Better sniff them.

womble

That's "Nikwax", I believe. They make many products. TechWash is the cleaning agent. TX Direct is the waterproofing agent.

TechWash doesn't smell bad. It works, but so do pure soap flakes. I switched to pure soap years ago because it's so much cheaper. It is standard detergents and conditioners that are supposed to screw up Goretex by interfering with the water repellancy of the face fabric.

TX Direct smells really weird for a while after washing, but fades with time. Hopefully you didn't use TX Direct by accident.

MichaelW

Most bike clothes can be washed in normal washing powder but the detergent will destry the water repellant beading effect of outer layers. Pure non-detergent soaps are best for outers.Use a small cup of soap powder in an an automatic washing machine, any more and it will foam too much.
Nikwax are doing some special offer with a free sachet of their techwash soap if you check out their website and answer a few simple questions. You dont get bombarded with junk mail.

MillCreek

I use this liquid pure soap made for washing hunting clothes. I just bought a quart container of it on clearance at Wal-Mart for $ 3.50. I use it to wash all of my Gore-Tex with great results, and far cheaper than the Nikwax stuff from REI.

goldener

put in some baking soda- the nikwax soap or any othe rtechwash or whatever is good stuff, it is meant to clean the goretex without harming it so it can still breathe..baking soda will take care of the stink

also try vinegar or oxyclean.

If your goretex is old, or has lots of use, don't forget to spray on the re-treatment coating..there are also some treatments that are "wash-in"

here's a good overview:
https://www.outdooreyes.com/goretex.php3

Jarery

I just buy waterproof shells that dont have a coating to wash off, so i can just wash them normal like everything else. But that doesnt help you if you already have goretex.

One method of restoring drw coated materials is by using a dryer at medium heat.

cyclezealot

several here used the word, 'Pure non-detergent ' soaps.? Do we mean the brand of laundry soap called "Pure." If not how do we know a given soap is non - detergent.
& , I did re-coat my Gore tex with a conditioner for water repelency.

womble

"Pure" isn't a brand. You can get soap flakes at supermarkets (well, in the UK and Oz). They look like small translucent white chips instead of powder.

This looks about right: https://www.soap-flakes.com/

Cadfael

Dri-pak are the only manufacturers of soap flakes in the UK, but they do make them for other supermarkets under their supermarket own lables, so the chances are, if ASDA has soap flakes they are made by Dri-Pak.

But, wherever you live... you can find soap flakes, or a liquid form of them in any camping or hiking store. In fact, that is all Nikwax Tech Wash is... liquid soap, with no detergent or perfume... nothing added and nothing taken away as they say. I have used it for years to clean my walking gear, and my cycling gear that is waterproof. Trust me, it has NO smell. If the OP noticed a smell it was not Tech Wash he used, but TX.Direct, which does stink to high heaven for a few days.

cyclezealot

cad. what smelled after using nikwax was not nikwax, but me. Maybe just use more. I used what they suggested .

Cadfael

Ahhhh... I see

*just stand back a few paces Bro*

Base layers should only be washed in normal washing detergent, they are designed to be, but each will have their own label advice. A base layer should 'wick' sweat away from you to the outer layer of the garment... and from there it can evaporate, washing it in soap and not fully rinsing it can harden the fibres and stop it from wicking... no wicking = smelly. A washing powder detergent is designed to rinse away completely in a washing machine.

Just wash it again... in washing powder or liquid, preferably with a conditioner

cyclezealot

one change I will make. Use my Gore tex less frequently for each ride. no reason to get it all sweaty unless it is raining outside. I have other non Gore Tex winter jackets, that don't require special attention. Maybe when used wash the Gore tex in a mini cycle , mostly alone.