Cleaning Waders?

[RichardCullip]

I've got an older set of Simms Guide-weight Waders (Gortex breathables). It's well past time for me to do a bit more cleaing of my waders than the usual rinse down with a hose after fishing. I'm tempted to throw them in the washer on the gentle cycle and let them get a good cleaning.

Any hints or suggestions on how to do it and what to avoid?

[rkfiske]

I'm not saying this is what you should do, but what I did was I washed mine on gentle with this stuff called Tech Wash. It's supposed to preserve the DWR on waders but it still cleaned them really well. You can also use the stuff by hand, washing it in like a bathtub. It says to wear gloves when doing this though. Afterwards, you can use this spray on stuff called TX Direct that will replenish the DWR coating if you've lost it. The two products are made by Nikwax. I can vouch they'll make your waterproof stuff bead up like it did when it was new. Only issue is, the stuff is expensive.

[RichardCullip]

I'm not saying this is what you should do, but what I did was I washed mine on gentle with this stuff called Tech Wash. It's supposed to preserve the DWR on waders but it still cleaned them really well. You can also use the stuff by hand, washing it in like a bathtub. It says to wear gloves when doing this though. Afterwards, you can use this spray on stuff called TX Direct that will replenish the DWR coating if you've lost it. The two products are made by Nikwax. I can vouch they'll make your waterproof stuff bead up like it did when it was new. Only issue is, the stuff is expensive.

Thanks, I've order some of this from REI. Can't wait to give it a try.