how do you get your textile jacket clean?

[daneilah]

I wear a Joe Rocket Meteor 4.0 textile jacket.  Just riding one summer in it has left if really dirty on the outside.... not to mention a bit smelly on the inside 

Obviously it's not wachine washable.

I was considering taking a bucket of soapy water and a brush and giving it a scrub and then just hosing it down.

Anyone got any hints or tips on what has worked for them?

[Richmore]

On the JoeRocket website under "product care" it basically says the following:


- Remove all armour
- Hand wash with cold water and mild detergent (i presume with some sort of cloth/sponge type thing)
- Hang to dry

Hope this helps.

Richmore

[Cal Amari]

You can wash your textile jacket with dish-washing liquid (I prefer the lemon-scented stuff); if there are any stains on the jacket, put a small amount of soap right on the stain, and scrub it gently with an old toothbrush (they're not just for cleaning chains and sprockets, but don't use the same toothbrush for both jobs).  Rinse it well...

To dry it, lay it on a thick towel, and blot up as much moisture as possible, then hang it so air can get through it. I actually use short lengths of PVC pipe to open the arms while the jacket is hanging, to speed the drying process. I use clothes-pins at the bottom of the sleeves to keep the PVC in place... After the upper arms have dried, I remove the PVC, wipe it dry, and clip it into the upper arms, so the lower arms can dry.

During riding season, if you don't have time to wash it and wait for it to dry, try this: hang the jacket inside-out to air it out between uses; moisture (from your body heat) gets trapped in the fabric of the liner. Don't put it into a closet until it has had time to lose whatever moisture has built up in the material. I suggest waiting at least 48 hours before putting into a closet; 72+ hours would be even better. If you use the jacket frequently, don't put it into a closet at all... just hang it so the inner liner can dry between uses...

You can use the same stuff (lemon-scented dish soap) to clean the liner in your helmet; you don't even have to remove the liner. Just work the soap and water into the surface of the liner with your fingertips to clean the fabric, then put the helmet on thick towels to drip-dry for a few days. Make sure there is good air circulation in the room, which will speed the drying process...

[badkarma506]

pull armor out, washing machine on gentle, normal soap, rince twice to get the bug guts out,. and dry on times dry low heat. then scotch gaurd to water proof it. or yhou could just cut yoru losses and get adecent jacket./

[luksi]

I just fill up the bathtub a little, throw in some liquid laundry soap, throw in the textiles, soak, wring out, soak, wring out..a few times until water is good and brown (haven't found anything floating in it yet), then empty and refill to repeat whole process (2-3 times usually) until the water is only slightly grey-brown (you'll never get it totally clean).  Hang up to dry outside or in garage...fresh as a daisy the next morning.

[Bluebellylint]

I thought the built up road grime was added protection. 

[groff22]

I thought the built up road grime was added protection. 

Ah yes, the shells of a million dead beetles...

[Cal Price]

I have two textile jackets, not JR. I either sponge them with a mild detergent or take out the armour and lining and was in my machine on the "delicates" prog. When dry I spray with a rattle can waterproofer paying particular attention to the chest and forearm areas. Do this outdoors.

I do the waterproofing thing every Autumn but only wash the jacket(s) when in dire need, the detatcable liners can be washed as a matter of routine.

[makenzie71]

Back when I thought textile jackets would protect me I just machine washed them with my jeans and socks.  Worked fine.  I actually do that with my leathers now, too...still works fine.  Never put a textile or leather piece in the dryer.

...if it can't hold up to a regular wash cycle what makes you think it's going to hold up to asphault?

[daneilah]

Thanks for all the comments.

I removed all of the armor.  I filled a small bucket with warm water and a bit of dishsoap, then srubbed the jacket gently using a brush.  I rinsed the jacket off in the laundry tub and hung it up to dry.

It came out pretty clean.... good for another season anyway!

[84TAVeRT]

i found one 1/2 hour ride in a heavy downpour was perfect

jacket looked like brand new... but i had to spend $35 on a work shirt