SHELLWEAR CARE GUIDE
One of the most common questions we get here at Mont is “How do I take care of my shell?” Normally, we get this question after a customer has worn their jacket in the rain and they find that it is getting soaked on the outside, causing it to delaminate or mold.
Most shells on the market are treated with a Durable Water-Repellent finish (DWR) which keeps the outer fabric from becoming saturated so the breathable barrier can do its job of keeping you dry. Unfortunately, the DWR doesn’t last forever, and it needs some care and maintenance to keep it working well.
There is a common misconception that washing your shell ruins the DWR when, more often than not, the real culprit is not washing it. Whenever someone calls about their jacket wetting out, our first question is always “When was the last time you washed it?” The answer is almost always: “Never.”
While you don't need to wash your shell as much as your regular clothes, it's still important to eliminate any buildup of contaminants like dirt, body oils, sunscreens, or even smoke. Plain old dirt is a leading culprit in your shell's demise, especially in high abrasion areas like under pack straps where dirt gets into the fabric. Mold is another problem we really want to avoid. Fungus and bacteria can degrade the glue holding the layers together, and can be a real problem for the DWR.
But hey, here's some good news: contamination isn't the end of the world for your shell. In fact, it can be nursed back to its former glory with a simple washing. This leads to our next set of questions, to help you care for your shell and maintain their high level of performance.
HOW DO I WASH MY SHELL?
We suggest a gentle machine wash or hand wash your garment in warm water using a specialist shellwear wash.
WHAT DO I WASH MY SHELL WITH?
Grangers, Storm and NikWax make washes designed to rinse out residue-free, keeping your shells fresh and clean.
HOW DO I DRY AND REINVIGORATE MY SHELL?
Firstly drip dry your shell in the shade and do not tumble dry. To keep your shell in top condition, Iron the outside of your dry shell on a gentle setting (low heat, no steam) with a towel or cloth between the shell and the iron. This will reinvigorate the DWR treatment on the exterior of the Shell.
WHAT DO I DO WHEN THE DWR CAN NO LONGER BE REINVIGORATED?
When the DWR treatment on the exterior of the garment can no longer be reinvigorated by ironing, use a spray on DWR treatment. Grangers, Storm & NikWax make some great products for this too.
HOW DO I PREVENT MOLD ON MY SHELL?
To prevent mold we suggest letting the jacket completely dry out before putting it away. Never store it wet—that will attract fungus and bacteria that can degrade the glue holding the layers together.
THE DO'S
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THE DON'TS
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