let's talk detergents---again.

[sk1]

I am having issues with getting my clothing clean, I've read a ton of posts both here and other places about what people like to use.

My goal is to use detergent that doesn't mess with the DWR coating, scent free, and free of UV brighteners. Does all of this matter? That's an entirely different debate, but it matters to me if it is at all possible.

People rave about nikwax, um why? I used it all last year and if I had so much as a spec of dirt on my clothes, nikwax doesn't do a thing. nothing. I could pee in the detergent cup and it would come out cleaner.

I've tried various of the scent free hunting detergents, a little better than nikwax, but not much.

Currently I am using the sportwash stuff you find at walmart, and that stuff is about the same effectiveness as other scent free hunting detergents. so i read all this great stuff about borax, and while i dont know what it does to dwr, it is scent free and free of uv brighteners. I added the 1/2cup to the sportwash as is recommended to boost your detergents effectiveness. I would have to say it's definitely better, but hard to give a fair assessment as these clothes looked like i rolled in an elk wallow before washing. I am re-washing in a normal scent free All detergent to see if it gets the rest out or if maybe it is just stained....if they end up being stained then maybe i will give this combination further evaluation.

my next thought was a baking soda/borax mix, although I am really just not sure if it's worth my time..


finally, as i expect some people might mention what's my problem they are hunting clothes they should be dirty.....i get that, and agree to some extent. at the same time you should be able to wash some of the dirt out within reason. does anyone have other suggestions that fall within these guidelines?

 

[Ozz08]

What kind on washing machine are you using? Is it a high efficiency washer? Brand?

 

[sk1]

I've used many, I work at a fire station and i've used several of theirs and mine at home--all of them though being front loading HE

mine at home is an LG, I used two different kenmores at work, and two different LGs at work.

i wouldnt think it's the washer if everything comes out perfectly clean with regular detergent?

 

[Ozz08]

I think that's the deal. those high efficiency washers use the clothing and the detergent as the agitator. The degergents we like to use on our hunting clothes are a lot more mild than regular detergents. I got rid of my front load high efficiency washer and went back to a regular washing machine with a built in agitator. Everything I wash with any detergent comes out perfectly clean. Even with regular detergent the high efficiency washer we owned had trouble getting regular clothes clean. It would leave behind food stains, deodorant, etc. I personally think the front loading he washers blow at actually washing clothes. The only he washer I think is worth a crap is the LG top loaders. My parents just got one and it actually does a good job for a he washer.

 

[rodney482]

I hate washing outer garments... if they get dirty I just wipe them down.

Then I run them through a Log 6 ozone treatment....

 

[sk1]

Well if that is the issue I hope there is some type of a detergent solution someone knows for HE washers.....or I may be washing by hand

 

[Eagle]

I've used All Free and Clear with good results. It's all we use for everything at our house, hunting and everyday clothing both.

 

[littlebuf]

huh, ive never had an issue washing my hunting clothes. I use what ever that 99% scent killer stuff is just because its scent free not that I think it does anything special and my clothes come out clean. what brand clothes are you washing? ive had my accent pants literary covered in blood and one wash with that stuff and they didn't even have a pink hue to them, pretty impressed really

 

[sk1]

I've used All Free and Clear with good results. It's all we use for everything at our house, hunting and everyday clothing both.

Problem with All, is supposedly regular detergents mess with dwr, and it has uv brighteners, two of the three things I am trying to avoid

That's what I used on my second wash last night just to see if the clothes were stained or it was the detergent. Ill go check now

 

[sk1]

huh, ive never had an issue washing my hunting clothes. I use what ever that 99% scent killer stuff is just because its scent free not that I think it does anything special and my clothes come out clean. what brand clothes are you washing? ive had my accent pants literary covered in blood and one wash with that stuff and they didn't even have a pink hue to them, pretty impressed really

What type of washer, was it a front loader HE?

Funny you mention that, it is my Sitka ascent pants in the wash that were muddy as hell. It doesn't matter what clothing goes in it mostly stays dirty. Kuiu outerwear, Sitka, some under armor shirts. The merino stuff seems to come clean

 

[littlebuf]

I think its a 1978 Kenmore washer, man that thing is still kickin

 

[Hunt'nFish]

I don't have any issue either. I also use a HE front loader, set on heavy soil (max time), extra water function, and pre-soak function. I really like the HE front loader. Much easier on my clothing....no twisting and stressing on seams anymore.

Normally for regular clothes I just use HS scent soap spiked w/ baking soda.
For my outer layer tech materials, synthetics & DWR materials, I use sportwash only, followed by Nixwax TX Direct DWR enhancement in the rinse cycle. I treat w/ TX Direct once at beginning of season, and follow w/ Sportwash as nessesary.

I do admit I don't typically wallow around in elk wallows so my clothes are typically relatively stain free. And normally my synthetics don't stain anyway. For blood a hydrogen-peroxide soak will remove all traces

But honestly I don't give a rip about stains anyway (hunting clothes aren't a fashion statement IMO.
Instead, I'm more concerned w/ maintaining DWR properties of todays high tech materials.
I want the water to bead up & roll off, as well as breathe as well as it can.
Anyway this is what works for me.
Hunt'nFish


PS: for body scent control, I do place a lot on importance on zinc tablets.
I usually start 35mg zinc supplements about 2wks prior to start of hunting season and will continue daily throughout season. Makes a huge differance in body odor. Sweat like a pig and don't stink. Recommended to me by a RN in the family. Leaches out of skin surface and prevents bacteria from growing on sweating surfaces. Also helps w/ heat rashes & monkey butt. I also use a lot of scent wipes....a lot.

 

[jmez]

I use Charlies Soap in a front loader HE machine. Have no problems with getting them clean. My wife bought the stuff to wash baby clothes in and I started using it on my hunting clothes a few years ago. Seems to work well. Scent free, and there are no UV brighteners. No clue about the DWR thing.


http://www.charliesoap.com/laundry_powder.html

 

[Daniel_M]

Top loader on gentle, inside out. Sports Wash or NikWax Tech. usually 1x a year. I'm not offended by my stink.

 

[Ozz08]

I think its a 1978 Kenmore washer, man that thing is still kickin

Great washer. That's what my parents just replaced. Still worked great. Mom just wanted something fancy! That kenmore washed a minimum of 4 loads a day for 20 years. I don't know how much they used after us devils moved out but it was still kicking.

 

[sk1]

I don't have any issue either. I also use a HE front loader, set on heavy soil (max time), extra water function, and pre-soak function. I really like the HE front loader. Much easier on my clothing....no twisting and stressing on seams anymore.

maybe this would help doing the heavy soil setting, with a pre rinse and extra water function---never did give that a try it may just need more time and more water

I do admit I don't typically wallow around in elk wallows so my clothes are typically relatively stain free. And normally my synthetics don't stain anyway. For blood a hydrogen-peroxide soak will remove all traces

good tip on the blood....i dont typically wallow in elk wallows either, but i did happen to recently dig out an incredibly muddy wallow i plan on hunting so i was a complete mess.

But honestly I don't give a rip about stains anyway (hunting clothes aren't a fashion statement IMO.
Instead, I'm more concerned w/ maintaining DWR properties of todays high tech materials.
I want the water to bead up & roll off, as well as breathe as well as it can.
Anyway this is what works for me.

I'm not an expert but heavy staining i believe can effect your DWR properties, at the very least it does start to effect breath-ability. i dont care about some staining, but i cant believe it when i use nikwax or sportwash, put the stuff in the wash (even when only relatively dirty) and the clothes come out exactly the same as i put them in...hopefully doing the heavy soil with extra water and stuff will help take care of this, i think i will give my sportwash/borax combo another try and just revive the dwr with the nikwax spray prior to hunts


jmez i will keep that brand in mind if doing the heavy soil wash and extra water does not work

 

[doverpack12]

I've been using the Atsko Sport Wash mentioned above for the last two years. Seems to get my clothes very clean in a top loading HE machine. Not entirely sure on brand. Most of the time its just my sweat, salt and smell I need to wash out but when they do get muddy or dirty or bloody I haven't had a problem. The sportwash is also about the least expensive stuff out there other than a regular brand detergent.

 

[COR]

The Sport Wash has an HE formula too. I'll use a diluted mixture with a wash cloth to get the heavy stuff off and use the Pre Soak function and run it through the full cycle. The Sport Wash works great but in the HE front loaders do not try to add extra. Use the recommended amount only. Mine seme to come cleqan and my Marmot Scree pants have been pretty nasty with elk blood and dirt. A few stains don't bother me either. The value of the front loaders with technical clothing is definitely the reduced pulling and twisting, I use the gentle cycle when I am just removing the everyday stuff or pre storage for the summer.

 

[rodney482]

Any who hasnt used ozone is really missing out.

The less you wash your outer clothing the better.

I use sportwash on base layers

 

[Jeff Martin]

I thought Sport Wash a best kept secret. I guess not... I always get a kick out of pying 20X the price for some name brand scent free soap when sport wash is as good as it gets...and you can use it on down sleeping bags !