Our wardrobe often changes: something is added, something is taken away. We often get used to many things: they are comfortable, beautiful, practical. But it often happens that a thing simply wears out, loses its original appearance, elasticity, shape, color. Many wardrobe items are damaged due to frequent exposure to moisture. Water has a detrimental effect on shoes, woolen items, artificial, dyed materials. A water-repellent impregnation for clothes will help to avoid rapid wear of your favorite things. It is a special composition in a convenient form, most often a spray. It creates a special barrier on the surface of the fabric, preventing moisture from penetrating the fibers.
What is it used for?
You can increase the water-repellent properties of the material by using a special emulsion. The film that is created on the fabric when such a composition is applied is waterproof, but air passes through it. In fact, the substances used in such compositions do not literally "repel water", but attract its molecules weaker than usual.
Modern sportswear, special equipment, and tourist gear already have a special water-repellent layer. But after some time it still washes off. Special compounds come to the aid of active people, athletes, travelers, returning special properties to this clothing. Water again stops being absorbed into the fibers of the fabric, and slides off its surface.
Water-repellent impregnation for clothes is used for the following purposes:
- processing of outdoor curtains;
- impregnation of fabric parts of baby carriages;
- enhancing the water-repellent effect of overalls for small dogs;
- processing of backpacks, tents, and other woven camping accessories;
- impregnation of any clothing: jackets, gloves, pants, caps, raincoats;
- treatment of street shoes (both leather and fabric);
- protection of outdoor clotheslines from moisture.
The impregnated item must be clean, dry, and pre-prepared. If there is dirt on the surface being treated, the protective coating may be completely destroyed. Special detergents for washing and cleaning such items handle the fabric fibers carefully. They are able to preserve the ventilation properties of the material and its overall integrity, although they cannot handle greasy and oily stains. To wash off difficult stains, you will have to use a brush and soap.
Varieties
Impregnations can be applied to clothing in different ways:
- by spraying - spray formulations are the most popular, convenient to use, you can always carry them with you, use them whenever it is convenient, even soak shoes, although you will have to do this quite often;
- during the washing process in an automatic machine with subsequent steaming - the substance is added to the carriage of the washing machine along with a special powder, and then ironed with steam (suitable for membrane clothing);
- when machine washing without drying or ironing - this is how almost all types of sportswear are processed, including membrane ones.
Impregnations also differ according to the type of material that is suitable for them:
- goretex;
- cotton;
- gloves;
- sleeping bags;
- extreme footwear;
- sports shoes;
- leather, suede, nubuck boots;
- down-filled clothing, and down jackets made from the down of different birds and animals require different impregnation;
- ropes;
- paper maps with routes.
Strictly following the instructions when applying the product to a particular material will protect you from unwanted consequences and guarantee the desired effect. If you bought a spray for nubuck shoes, it will not work on regular demi-season woven sneakers. The same goes for down: if the packaging states that the water-repellent impregnation should be added when washing a goose down jacket, it will only protect it, but will be useless for the fabric itself, sleeves, and hood.
Particular attention should be paid to Gore-Tex type fabrics. Their unusual structure requires delicate handling. Clothes made from it are wind-resistant, waterproof, and all thanks to the membrane. This is a film with many holes. These pores are so small that only steam passes through them, that is, the clothes are able to "breathe". And water drops, even the smallest ones, cannot penetrate through them.
However, strong climatic surges such as heavy snowfall, blizzards or heavy rain can leave behind a thin film of moisture on clothing. The settled film holds back steam, does not let it out, and the body begins to sweat and suffocate. To prevent this from happening, all fabrics of this type are treated with a special protective compound DWR. The membranes are subsequently protected, “enveloped” in this agent, so that in any bad weather, “like water off a duck’s back.”
Even careful processing and impregnation with the highest quality composition will inevitably wear off over time, after washing, during wear. Then the owners of the clothes cannot do without purchased products: sprays, liquids, powders, etc.
By the way, according to their composition, all water-repellent agents are divided into two large types:
- water-based – the most harmless to fabric and the human body, practically hypoallergenic, and also do not harm the environment; easily applied to dry fabric and to a wet surface; effectively prolong the ability of membrane and other water-repellent fabrics to not let moisture, wind through and breathe;
- chemical – aggressive chemicals, when used frequently, destroy the fabric, reducing all its qualities over time, not to mention its appearance and smell; the products also become rough, sticky, and unpleasant to the touch.
Of all the variety of such protective products, it is better to choose water impregnations of proven brands in well-known chain stores, sports or tourist. Always monitor the expiration date of the product.
Good producers
To get a complete picture of modern water-repellent impregnations and companies producing related products, it would be useful to familiarize yourself with the table of popular market participants.
| Manufacturer | Country | Advantages | Other products | Peculiarities |
| Woly Sport | Germany | Wide range, narrow profile, convenience | Aerosols and impregnations against moisture and dirt, liquid detergents for shoes and clothes, protective and refreshing compounds | Particularly popular in the domestic network of sporting goods stores |
| Nikwax Waterproofing | England | The most famous brand, high quality and technology | Water-repellent impregnation for shoes, clothes, equipment | There are small volume samples available |
| Holmenkol | Germany | Advanced materials plus proven technologies | Stain remover, laundry detergent, delicate wash for thermal underwear, wool, sprays, wax, impregnation | Price 600-1000 rubles, available in many Russian sports stores |
| Grangers | England | High quality, recommendations from leading global clothing manufacturers | Products for clothing, footwear, equipment | One of the oldest companies in this field |
| Storm Waterproofing | England | High technology, application not only for clothing, footwear, but also for tourist equipment | Liquids for different purposes and different application methods | It has existed for 15 years |
| Fibertec | Netherlands, Germany | For all fillers and fabric types | Wax, textile spray, washing liquid, protective spray against moisture and dirt | Available in online stores |
| Jack Wolfskin | Germany | Replaced non-environmentally friendly components with harmless ones | Paste, rub, impregnation + detergent, sprays | Each product costs from 1000 rubles, is very well known and widespread in Russia, has an impeccable reputation |
| Scotgard | Germany, USA | The line is not too wide, but effective, with the main points | Cleaner, spray for clothes, shoe impregnation, protective aerosols | Manufacturers of Scotch tape and famous insulation |
| Tectron | USA | Water-based compositions with the ability to restore the material, there is a product with the addition of silver ions | Impregnation for membrane-free materials, wax for leather, impregnation for nubuck, etc. | A rarity in the Russian Federation, a subsidiary of the shoe corporation Implus |
| KONGUR | Russia | The products are mostly universal | Impregnation for membrane clothing, textiles and down | Compact packaging, cylinders fit into a backpack or bag |
| TOKO | Switzerland | Produces lubricants for winter sports | A variety of clothing and footwear products for every taste | It has a hundred-year history and is trusted by most athletes. |
| Atsko | USA | The products are multifunctional, but the price is high | Sprays, wax for protecting clothes, shoes from rain and sun | This brand is a rare guest in Russia |
| Salamander Professional | Germany | Leader among shoe cosmetics, environmentally friendly, high-quality products, wide range | Lotion, foam, deodorant, cream, aerosol impregnation, milk for all types of shoes | A wide range of products, rich properties, unconditional trust of millions of users around the world |
| Salton | Germany | A world-famous major brand working on the unique MINK OIL technology | Shoe Deodorant, Clothes Wash Shampoo, Foam Cleaner, Shoe Protector Spray | Nutrition, protection, shine and freshness of color of shoes of any material |
| Obenauf's | USA | premium leather shoe impregnation product | Wax, oil, spray for shoes | Apply hot, using a hair dryer, protective wax |
| Collonil | Austria | Wide range, huge specialized plant, long history of the company | Spray for leather, for nubuck and velour | It has existed since 1909, many products have been developed, natural wax and oil components are used |
| Tarragona | France | Extensive range, several series of products | High-tech, Sports, Trekking | The brand was founded in 1940 and has been operating as a shoe chemicals manufacturing company since 1960. |
No matter how specific these tools may seem, they are useful for almost anyone.
The climate in Russia is harsh and unpredictable. Lots of snow and wind give way to lots of moisture, and then to sun. Suede boots, a school backpack, a windbreaker and fabric gloves can be protected with a special spray that prevents moisture from penetrating the fabric structure. Special compounds that need to be added during washing and “sealed” into the fabric with hot steam will also help you stay dry. Take care of yourself and your clothes.
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