Cleaning Altus?

[nidarosa]

I have had a few Altuses (Alti?) in my time but been lucky enought that I never actually used them enough that I would need to clean them as such, I just turned them inside out and aired them or let the rain rinse them. However I got my new Altus out the other day and decided it needed a clean, while I had Nikwax tech wash in the house. I put one lightweight Altus (polyester), one Ferrino Hiker (polyamide) and one Goretex jacket in with half dose of tech wash, and rinsed well after. But the Altus now looks very worn on the inside, like the inside coating has been compromised. It looks kinda milky in places.
Does anyone know enough about Altuses, polyester or tech wash to tell me if the poncho should still be waterproof? I can do a quick test and it seems OK, but I worry that the seams might not be fully waterproof anymore? Or am I worrying for nothing? How do others clean their ponchos? Cheers!

 

[Tia Valeria]

Ouch!
Our Rohan ponchos can be refreshed by ironing - very carefully. Not too hot and opened out round the board, not flat and folded together. The inside is likely to stick together otherwise maybe. I would not dare wash them unless by hand.
Can you try out the poncho under the shower? If it leaks then maybe a cool iron (as for the Rohan) will stick the lining back together. Seam tape is cheap I think if the seams are still a problem.
Hope you do find a solution.

 

[nidarosa]

@Tia Valeria - thank you, that makes sense. It looks like the scrunching up in the machine (only 30 degree wash) has crumpled it and bruised the backing if that makes sense. So yes, a cold iron might be just the thing!

 

[Tia Valeria]

@Tia Valeria - thank you, that makes sense. It looks like the scrunching up in the machine (only 30 degree wash) has crumpled it and bruised the backing if that makes sense. So yes, a cold iron might be just the thing!

I set my iron on '1 synthetics' and it was hot enough.

 

[nidarosa]

@Tia Valeria and others who might be curious about the ironing Altus thing - I did, and it worked! Now I have to admit I didn't even attempt anything until I had bagged a spare, which arrived today, so out the iron came. I did as you said and set it on 1 for synthetics, with the outside up and the Altus open, and with slow and patient determination I did see an improvement. However, I am not a very patient person unless I am on the Camino, so I took a chance and turned up the heat to 2 for silk ... and then tried it on the inside hem first of all. No burn, no melt, all was well, but I had to be a lot quicker and more careful. The milky bruising that looked like the inside coating coming away, was soon fixed, but if I kept the iron on the material too long the inside started getting a bit sticky. Doesn't seem to have done any harm. I am thinking this might fix peeling water repellent coating on packs too? My (well, my husband's now) Altus looks so brand new and freshly ironed that I am putting off packing it away in its pouch! Thanks again for the brilliant tip, and good luck to anyone else who attempts it.

 

[Tia Valeria]

I am really pleased that it worked so well for you. I have gently done our Rohan ponchos each year since Rohan recommended it for ensuring our ponchos stayed waterproof, but I did offer the suggestion with some trepidation.

 

[nidarosa]

I also checked the label and it does say no ironing, so clearly this is a better-safe-than-sorry bit of advice. The Altus I ironed is a 100% polyester Rainseries with a coating on the inside. @Tia Valeria, what material is your Rohan poncho? Might be good to know for anyone reading this and wanting to try it. Thanks again!

 

[Tia Valeria]

I also checked the label and it does say no ironing, so clearly this is a better-safe-than-sorry bit of advice. The Altus I ironed is a 100% polyester Rainseries with a coating on the inside. @Tia Valeria, what material is your Rohan poncho? Might be good to know for anyone reading this and wanting to try it. Thanks again!

Our ponchos are the old style green ones sold as a 'jungle cape'. Bought in 2008/9. They are rectangular poncho style without 'sleeves'.
Later styles are a different material (and colours) and have small sleeves. I don't think that they could be ironed, but like the Altus it might be worth a try on a small area if the item is already badly damaged.

 

[Hiawatha]

The coating is often Poly Urethane [ PU] on the label . It is usually spayed onto the insides of packs after manufacture , in this way it also seals the seams and other stitching it adheres mechanically by wrapping around fibres .
Age and high temperatures can cause it to peel off , it looks like sunburnt skin as it comes off in sheets and spots [ memories of an unsupervised childhood ].
Once off it is a little like old sticky tape , it might stick back down a little but will never be very effective .
Hiking gear repair shops can completely renew this coating for you though I have no idea as to the process they use or how economical the cost is .