cleaning your wax jacket

I bought my first wax jacket at the end of 2011 and have enjoyed wearing it. It's the barbour international that takes the furry polyester lining. As a side note I found the barbour branding a bit to chavvy so I cut the yellow label off the right chest pocket..

Advice at the point of purchase was that washing the jacket will ruin it and dry cleaning is forbidden as well. A soapy sponge is supposed to be the way to clean.

That got me thinking. Does anyone remember that UV light cleaner that appeared on dragon's den? It's designed to zap all the bacteria (and therefore smell) from shoes. I was thinking of putting my barbour in there.

Anyone tried this or any other method of cleaning?

Barbour have (or did) have a re furb and cleaning service.

I get mine done by Barbour via Farlows of Pall Mall but it's more of a re-waxing exercise rather than a clean.

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Originally Posted by Carlton-Browne

I get mine done by Barbour via Farlows of Pall Mall but it's more of a re-waxing exercise rather than a clean.

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I send mine off every couple of years for re-waxing by Barbour but they expect you to clean it yourself first.

I've never cleaned any of mine - just rewax them.

Wear it in the rain

The process of cleaning is quite easy, if you have a stain, just use a wet sponge to clean it up (and do not send it for dry cleaning).

Rewaxing is whole other process

Barbour's are supposed to smell. What have you been doing in yours ?

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Originally Posted by oldandgrumpy

Barbour's are supposed to smell.

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My Belstaff jacket from the mid 1980's used to stink.
I wonder if it still fits.

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Originally Posted by oldandgrumpy

Barbour's are supposed to smell.

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Quite.

I had a Solway Zipper (30 years ago) which started to ferment after getting wet and being stuffed in a plastic bag. I put it in the washing machine with a hefty dose of Persil. The result was a beautifully unwaxed jacket in a shade of beige and a very stroppy Mrs B who arrived home early just as the coat was on its final rinse cycle.

I re-waxed it with an aerosol water repellent rather than the Barbour grease and I reckon it was a big improvement.

I can't see the benefits of the waxed jacket idea now - there are so many high tech fabrics that give a better performance minus the pong. (JM2C...)

There certainly are many hi tech fabrics out there, however, the latest barbour waxes are odourless.

IMHO, a waxed barbour looks great for casual use, however, some hi tech fabric will looks a little overkill if used casually.

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Originally Posted by Snowdon

There certainly are many hi tech fabrics out there, however, the latest barbour waxes are odourless.

IMHO, a waxed barbour looks great for casual use, however, some hi tech fabric will looks a little overkill if used casually.

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Quite. Walking around the high street, dressed to take on Everest.

Barbour have got a fabric that looks like it's waxed but is in fact breathable, machine washable. Not sure if you have to retreat it when washed.

It seems to be pretty waterproof and indistinguishable from a wax and weathering like one too.

Re-waxing is a hell of a job. The problem is keeping the wax liquid as you apply it. You've got to do it in direct sunlight in mid-summer or alternatively find a small room at home, whack the temperature up to max with a heater and do it there.

Just don't make the mistake I did....I had a 1.5kW heater on full blast to get the room very warm, but had it plugged through an extension coil that was still mostly coiled up. The heat generated by the power melted my extension coil! :shock:

I believe barbour use ironing board like devices with heaters built in.

Use a hairdryer. Simple :D

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Originally Posted by oldandgrumpy

Use a hairdryer. Simple :D

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I had that on the go too! :D

Hairdryer can work, as can softening the wax in a pan of how water and using a paint brush. It tends to over-wax the coat, but it wears back to normal after a couple of days of normal use.

... after rewaxing your coat, don't walk too close next to someone without a wax coat for a few weeks ... the wax will rub off on the other person's coat. :D

Menno

Wife washed my Barbour.... :roll: ....not recommended.... :cry:

Now I just use the Swandri cleaner.

Easiest way to do it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvZm04LxrbQ

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Originally Posted by thieuster

... after rewaxing your coat, don't walk too close next to someone without a wax coat for a few weeks ... the wax will rub off on the other person's coat. :D

Menno

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And dont wear it in the car unless you want a wax covered seat back and safety belt stripe on your other clothes :roll:

My 20 something year old heavy weight Barbour Moorland gets a scrub down and rewax every summer when temperatures here are in the mid to high thirties centigrade, wax turns to liquid and is easy to apply with a brush. Drying is super quick because of the summer heat.

'Barbour, the Best of British Clothing for the Worst of British Weather' is also pretty handy here in 'Sunny Cyprus' as its been the wettest winter in years and we are about to be snowed in again :shock: