Washing Tyvek...
I have heard of guys washing Tyvek to make it softer and quieter...so just throw it in the washing machine or what?
Yep, pretty much.
"If you play a Nicleback song backwards, you'll hear messages from the devil. Even worse, if you play it forward, you'll hear Nickleback." - Dave Grohl
Yeah, just wash it. No soap needed.
I believe it does take some of the life out of it.
Tyvek does eventually wear out and if you want it to last more the whole thru-hike, I wouldn't wash it. (maybe once only?)
Don't let your fears stand in the way of your dreams
I just plan on using a sheet of it for my End-to-End of the LT, so it only has to last 25 days max. So no detergent needed eh? Anyone have experience on how long it should be in the wash for? It's only a small sheet for a BA Emerald Mountain SL1...
Ok, just caught your link Hooch...thanks manOriginally Posted by Hooch
Tyvek
Wash it in cold water. The washing is pretty much only to take the crinkles (sp?) out of it. It will last longer than your month long trip.
Sorry, Forgot to add that you can do it on short cycle or quick wash!
Just got off the trail in PA because my wife is ill. I used Tyvek as a ground cloth and every time in the shelter under my sleeping bag. Worked great. I washed mine 4 times before leaving to make it soft. No soap added.
I bought a roll of " soft " tyvek... the stuff they make painter's suit..scrub suits, etc out of. Washed it one time.... NO SOAP ! Works great. !
Just wish it came in colors.... made a rain cover for pack... and a tarp for hammock. Wife sewed it with sewing machine, and I used seam sealer everywhere. So if you walk into a camp with white tyvek everywhere, thats probably me ! LOL
But after all that..... I have yet to be in a storm !
MoBill
Hike not for miles - Hike to see a world others walk by without seeing.
Pinhoti Journal http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=7238
http://questoutfitters.com/fabric%20...htweight Items
Quest outfitters sells 'soft' tyvek by the yard. This is definitely the stuff to use for clothing. For a tent footprint, probably both kinds work fine. I'm curious how well it works as a tarp. Mobill, let us know after you've survived a downpour. If you have no downpours where you are just come to New England
I saw Tyvek at Lowes. Ity comes in rolls 3 feet by 100 feet. I think it was $40.
Panzer
hahahaha...that was funny. i had asked the exact same question. i cut mine to fit my tent, finished the edges and added grommets at key points. using hair elastics they hook around through the poles on my tent to stay in place, and i can pick the whole thing up by the pole and shake off any water in the morning.Ok, just caught your link Hooch...thanks man
if it doesn't say TYVEK it will not wash or soften up. the house wrap that says HOME DEPOT or LOWES is crap. for camping AND houses
I'm so confused, I'm not sure if I lost my horse or found a rope.
Ditto... I agree w/ Karl 100%
Yea, they had that Lowes crap there too. It was cheaper.
Panzer
I've had to put mine through a couple of cycles to soften it up sufficiently. I've even added a little fabric softener, with no apparent harm.
I didnt wash mine, and I didnt need to, after a few uses itll begin to soften up and the crinkly sound will go away to.
I thought Tyvek could be dyed.
You can Dye Tyvek. The House wrap stuff doesn't get as dark as the dye though. The softer clothing type dyes better. You can paint Tyvek too. Artists use it as a canvas.
You can also soften Tyvek in the dryer. Use No heat and add tennis balls.
Cheers!
Cold water on short wash cycle is all that's usually needed. Don't dry too long on high heat or it starts to shrink.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
