We should take proper care of all clothing. So that it lasts a long time, staying like new, and serves its purpose for as long as possible. Especially clothing that we often wear outdoors, for camping or hiking, needs to be protected against getting dirty and getting wet. Caring for clothing means regular and gentle washing. Of course, to prevent it from getting heavily soiled, impregnation of clothing is also necessary. That is exactly what we will talk about in more detail today.
Caring for army clothing
In the production of sports, outdoor, army clothing and casual clothing, so-called functional materials are increasingly used. Much has already been written about the advantages of such materials, but do you know how to properly care for such garments? Whether it is outdoor or army clothing, you should pay great attention to their cleaning. So that even after cleaning, the clothing retains its typical properties, which include breathability and water resistance.
How to wash army clothing
Army clothing has the task of resisting external influences such as rain and wind. It usually has a water-resistant layer on its surface, which at the same time allows body moisture to pass out. Water vapor, which is created by the evaporation of sweat, penetrates through this layer to the outside. However, when this layer is dirty, impurities clog its pores and moisture does not evaporate, which leads to a feeling of dampness. Many people then mistakenly believe that the membrane does not work.
Army clothing needs to be cleaned or washed in a gentle way, so that the water-repellent layer is restored. However, ordinary washing powders leave residues on the fabric, which does not solve the problem. To avoid this, clothing needs to be washed with products that do not leave residues. Do not add any additives, such as bleach or fabric softener. In the case of local stains, rather use stain cleaning products, which are effective and extend the lifespan of textiles. Such a cleaning product is applied directly to the soiled surface and left to act. Afterwards, it needs to be wiped off with a clean cloth. The cleaned surface should then be impregnated.
What is clothing impregnation?
Clothing impregnation is the process of impregnating textiles with chemical substances that make them resistant to the effects of water or dirt. If you thought until now that impregnation is only for footwear, you were mistaken. Just like shoes, army clothing can easily get soaked or damp, and therefore you can fight against this with products that impregnate it. The principle is to saturate the material, which is otherwise absorbent. Tiny particles of active substances are applied to the surface of the clothing, forming a highly hydrophobic protection. The treated material thus lets vapor pass through, is breathable, and is protected against external influences such as dirt, water and other liquid substances.
Even water-repellent army clothing needs impregnation. Some clothing has a treatment applied by the manufacturer. This causes water falling on the surface of the fabric to form droplets, which then run down the surface and do not soak into the clothing. With proper washing and care of this clothing, the impregnation works properly. However, improper clothing care can disrupt the functionality of the impregnation. If it does not work sufficiently, you can restore it by applying a new impregnation layer designed specifically for these garments.
How to impregnate army clothing?
Before applying impregnation to army clothing, its surface must be clean and dry. Only then do we recommend applying the impregnation. You should also pay attention to the type of impregnation and the surface it is intended for. If you were to mix up the surfaces, it may not work as it should or, in a worse case, it may damage your clothing. It is also necessary to follow the working procedure prescribed by the manufacturer for the particular impregnation.
You can impregnate cleaned army clothing once it is sufficiently dry and at an air temperature ranging from 15 °C – 30 °C. It is not recommended to impregnate surfaces that are heated, for example by sunlight, or in the rain. Of course, let the sprayed surface of the clothing dry thoroughly and do not use it when rain is expected, because the product needs sufficient time to dry.
What to use to impregnate army clothing?
Available are universal impregnations, which you can use on any surface, whether it is common textiles, leather, or membrane and waterproof fabrics. You can also choose specific ones - for example only for leather impregnation and similar.
Impregnation sprays are the easiest to apply. They are sprayed evenly onto a cleaned and dry surface. Impregnation spray should be shaken well before use and applied to the army clothing from a sufficient distance of approx. 20 cm from the surface. Let the product dry completely. The product effectively repels water while not preventing the passage of air and water vapor.
There are also Nano-products based on nanoparticles on the market. They create a hydrophobic protection on the surface of army clothing. The treated material lets vapor through, is breathable and at the same time protects against external influences such as dirt and water. We recommend NANO4YOU – an impregnation intended for both textile and leather, which is fully transparent with no visible layer.
The treated surface of the clothing retains its original appearance. The impregnation is odorless, biodegradable and contains no hazardous substances. It is suitable for sports, outdoor and army clothing, backpacks, car seats, upholstered furniture and carpets. Nano-impregnation gives the surface of army clothing unprecedented properties.
Is impregnation necessary?
Army clothing, which is often used outdoors, is important to protect, especially in unfavorable and damp weather, so that it remains waterproof for as long as possible (for jackets, pay attention to the water column). Warm and dry clothing protects the wearer against cold and subsequent hypothermia. Therefore, before heading out into nature, clothing care should also include impregnation. In the event that you get caught in the rain or walk through tall and wet grass in unfavorable weather, your clothing will not immediately become wet and dirty, because the impregnation repels not only water but also dirt. This makes even visibly heavy dirt on the clothing easier to remove, so you will not have to wash it as often. Your clothing will serve you well for a long time and will last longer than new.
