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Garment Care

At Rooster, we work hard to ensure that our products provide the best fit, comfort and performance so that you can have fun on and off the water, and not have to worry about your kit.

We want your garments to last as long as possible to have lesser impact on the environment. Regular care and maintenance is really important to prolong the life and optimise performance of your garments.

 

3L Jacket & Hi-Fits

Passage / SB1 Inshore Ranges

Due to the nature of a 3 layer fabric with a DWR coating, they need to be looked after in order to keep performing to their maximum capability. You can read more about the fabric on our Materials and Technology page. DWR coatings have evolved over time to become more environmentally friendly and limit plastic run off into the environment, but this has its drawbacks in terms of waterproofness and durability,  which means it is more important than ever to keep on top of reproofing and garment care.

If your garment appears to be leaking, this is most probably because the outer layer is becoming saturated with water reducing the breathability and creating condensation on the inside. In this case, your garment will need re-proofing.

See below care instructions to prolong the life of your Jacket or Hi-fits:

Cleaning
  • Rinse after every use in fresh water to ensure that salt and dirt is all clear of surface.
  • We recommend that you wash your garment in the washing machine every now and then. As a general guide see below our recommendation:
    • Light use (e.g. walking, boat park use, dry sailing days): wash every 20-30 days of use
    • Heavy use (e.g. keelboat racing, coaching/rib use, wet sailing days): wash every 10-12 days of use
  • Try to keep cleaning the garment to a minimum so use your judgement. Regularly check if water is still beading off – if it is not then your garment is most likely due a wash.
  • For washing in the machine, make sure that you wash on a medium heat (30°C) at a regular spin cycle setting using a non-biological cleaning product. It is really important not to use softer or any biological product for cleaning as this can affect the breathability and waterproofness, as they contain enzymes that can damage the performance of the fabrics. We recommend using Grangers® Performance wash.
  • Ensure that the front zippers and Velcro parts are in closed position, the tension is released from all draw-cords, pocket zippers are open and any loose parts are secured before placing in the washing machine.
  • Allow to dry naturally 
Reapplying DWR

If your garment no longer shows the water beading off, then it is time to reapply the DWR treatment. This is an easy process that can be done 1 of 2 ways:

  1. Wash in treatment (used with the washing machine) – We recommend Grangers® Clothing Repel.
      • Place garment in washing machine, as per washing instructions above, but instead of using the wash, use the Grangers reproofing wash in treatment.
      1. Spray on treatment – We recommend Grangers® Performance Repel Plus.
        • Close all zippers
        • Hang the garment and spray the DWR (Grangers) evenly throughout, you can spray more on high wear areas, like the shoulders, leg front or seat part.
        • You can turn the garment inside out to ensure that there is maximum absorption of the treatment.
        • Complete the treatment by placing the damp garment in the dryer on a medium heat for 40 or 50 mins – this effectively activates the DWR.

      A further option that can save you a wash cycle is to use a 2 in 1, wash and repel treatment. This can be done using the Grangers® wash + repel clothing 2 in 1. 

      Why do we recommend Grangers® products?

      At Rooster®, we want to reduce environmental impact as much as possible where we are working with Grangers® who are Bluesign® approved and all their products are PFC-free, meaning that when you wash or reproof your garments, no harmful chemicals will be released in the process.

      Storing
      • Make sure your garment is completely dry before storing. You may want to leave it for a little longer than when you think it is dry to ensure that all moisture has gone, especially if you are not planning on using it again for over a month.

      Aquafleece

      Aquafleece is made from PU coated fleece, and we have 3 versions, but the care instructions below can be followed on all versions. To enjoy your Aquafleece items at their full potential wear after wear, here are a few top tips as a guide:

      1. Carefully rinse in fresh water after use, inside and outside. This will get most of the dirt/salt off. You can do this in several ways – our favourite is either in the bath, shower or a big bucket.
      2. If your Aquafleece is smelling or you need it freshening up more than just a rinse in fresh water, we recommend using Grangers® Performance Wash. All you have to do is add 3-5% of the amount of water in your bucket of water or bath. Using this shampoo will kill bacteria, plankton and viruses and leave your product fresh and disinfected for its next use.
      3. Do not put your Aquafleece products in the washing machine – this will affect their performance stretch and the technical properties. Due to the nature of the fabric, putting it in the washing machine can cause the lamination bond between the PU outer surface and the fleece inner surface to gradually break down and significantly reduce the lifetime of your product, as well as affect its windproof and waterproof performance.
      4. Drip-dry your Aquafleece product on a drying rack.

      Top tips when it comes to drying:

      • Don’t dry your products on a normal hanger as the weight of the water when wet can cause the products to become stretched and damaged at the shoulders. If you have to use a hanger, make sure you fold the product in half at the middle to allow the weight to be halved.
      • Don’t dry too close to the radiator or in direct sunlight as both of these can cause damage to the lamination of the 2 layers, affect the colour and the glue/tapes on your product, impeding its performance, comfort and durability.

      2.5L Smock & Spray Top

      These garments use a very lightweight fabric that is made up of two and a half layers bonded into a matrix to make a single skin. The half layer is the inside print layer, which works cleverly to separate the PU mid layer from your body and allow ventilation by drawing away moisture to keep you feeling dry.

      This half layer also plays an important part in protecting the PU layer from any salt and dirt build up as well as body oils that can affect the membrane and overall performance of your garment if not washed off correctly. This will in turn affect the waterproofness and breathability, which is why it is really important to care for your garment correctly.

      Cleaning

      We recommend you follow the below care instructions:

      • For consecutive days use (e.g. a multi-day event): Rinse thoroughly inside and out in fresh, clean water. Make sure to rinse through all parts including the zippers and any trims. Allow to drip dry, out of direct sunlight and away from any radiators or heat sources.
      • At the end of a period of use: Rinse by hand in luke warm water with a gentle non-bio detergent or sports wash. We recommend to use Grangers® Performance Wash, that you can buy on our website, as we have tried and tested this product – and it is also kind to the environment. Allow to drip dry, out of direct sunlight and away from any radiators or heat sources.

       Note: It is really important not to use softer or any biological product for cleaning as this can affect the breathability and waterproofness, as they contain enzymes that can damage the performance of the fabrics

      Reapplying DWR

      If your garment no longer shows the water beading off, then it is time to reapply the DWR treatment. This is an easy process that can be done 1 of 2 ways:

      1. Wash in treatment (used with the washing machine) – We recommend Grangers® Clothing Repel.

        • Place garment in washing machine, as per washing instructions above, but instead of using the wash, use the Grangers reproofing wash in treatment.
      2. Spray on treatment – We recommend Grangers® Performance Repel Plus.
        • Close all zippers.
        • Hang the garment and spray the DWR (Grangers) evenly throughout, you can spray more on high wear areas, like the shoulders or forearms.
        • You can turn the garment inside out to ensure that there is maximum absorption of the treatment.
        • Remove any excess product with a clean cloth.
        • Allow to dry naturally.

      Neoprene, Hikers & Polypro

      To enjoy your neoprene items at their full potential wear after wear, here are a few top tips as a guide:

      1. Carefully rinse in fresh water after use, inside and outside. This will get most of the dirt/salt off. You can do this in several ways – our favourite is either in the bath, shower or a big bucket.
      2. If your neoprene is starting to smell or you need it freshening up more than just a rinse in fresh water, we recommend using Grangers® Performance Wash. All you have to do is add 3-5% of the amount of water in your bucket of water or bath. Using this shampoo will kill bacteria, plankton and viruses and leave your product fresh and disinfected for its next use.
      3. Do not wash your neoprene products in the washing machine or tumble dryer – this will affect their performance and you will gradually experience a loss in stretch and the technical properties will be reduced. It could also damage your washing machine!
      4. Drip-dry your neoprene on a drying rack.

      Top tips when it comes to drying:

      • Don’t dry your products on a normal hanger as the weight of the water when wet can cause the products to become stretched and damaged at the shoulders. If you have to use a hanger, make sure you fold the product in half at the middle to allow the weight to be halved.
      • Don’t dry too close to the radiator or in direct sunlight as both of these can cause damage to the neoprene lamination, affect the colour and the glue on your product, impeding its performance, comfort and durability.

      Accessories

      Footwear

      1. Carefully rinse in fresh water after use, inside and outside. This will get most of the dirt/salt off. You can do this in several ways – our favourite is either in the bath, shower or a big bucket.
      2. Do not wash your boots in the washing machine or tumble dryer – this will affect their performance and the materials/lamination will start to degrade. It could also damage your washing machine!
      3. Drip-dry your boots. You can help them to dry quicker by stuffing newspaper to the inside of your boots – this will take away some of the moisture and accelerate.

      Note: Don’t dry too close to the radiator or in direct sunlight as both of these can cause damage to the lamination of the rubber and the neoprene, and/or affect the colour and the glue/tapes on your product, impeding its performance and durability.

      Headwear / Gloves / Kit Bags

      We recommend that you wash your product if is sees any salt, water or dirt to prolong its life. See the below tips for keeping your product performing at its best for longer:

      1. Rinse carefully in fresh water to get rid of all the salt and dirt. Make sure you rinse any metal or plastic parts thoroughly.
      2. Do not wash your accessories in the washing machine or tumble dryer – this will affect their performance and the materials may start to degrade.
      3. Drip-dry out of direct sunlight and away from the radiator.

      Note: Don’t dry too close to the radiator or in direct sunlight as both of these can cause damage to the properties of the materials, impeding performance and durability.

      Towels

      You can wash these as normal in the washing machine – just make sure not to use softener or any combination wash/softener tablets as this can affect how absorbent the towel will be when you use it.

      To dry, you can put either in the tumble-dryer or allow to dry naturally. In fact, placing your towel in the tumble-dryer can improve its quick drying properties as it will open up the fibres.

      Rash Vests       

      You can wash these as normal in the washing machine – just make sure not to use softener or any combination wash/softener tablets as these will affect the performance properties of the product. Or even better use the Grangers® Performance wash.

      Do not place your rash vest in the tumble dryer – this will affect the material properties and could cause it to perish.   

      Buoyancy Aid (PFD) / Harness

      1. Carefully rinse in fresh water after every use, inside and outside. This will get most of the dirt/salt off. You can do this in several ways – our favourite is either in the bath, shower or a big bucket.
      2. Drip-dry out of direct sunlight and away from the radiator – this is really important to ensure that the foam is not affected and the performance of your PFD or Harness is maintained.

      Do not wash in the washing machine or tumble dryer – this will affect its performance/safety and the materials could start to degrade. It could also damage your washing machine!

        Technical Casual

        Most of our technical casual clothing can be washed at a medium temperature (30 degrees) on a medium spin cycle (800rpm) however there are exceptions to some of the products. Please read below to make sure you wash your product correctly:

        Tshirts / Hoodies / Sweaters

        Although some of our products say they should be hand washed only, you can wash them in the washing machine with your other clothing items. Just make sure they go on 30 degrees at 800 rpm.

        Technical Tshirts / Shorts

        You can wash these as normal in the washing machine – just make sure not to use softener or any combination wash/softener tablets as these will affect the performance, quickdry and anti-bacterial properties of the product. Or even better use the Grangers® Performance wash.

        Softshell Jacket / Superlite Jacket / Crew Jacket

        If you want to wash your jacket, we recommend that you rinse in fresh water and if you want to add some further water repellency to your jacket, we recommend spraying with the Grangers Performance Plus reproofing spray. If fresh water is not going to cut it, you can also wash in a similar way to our recommendation for the Passage range.