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Reviews > Do It Yourself > Grangers Down Wash and Performance Wash > Test Report by Michael Pearl

GRANGER'S DOWN WASH AND PERFORMANCE REPEL
TEST SERIES BY MIKE PEARL
LONG-TERM REPORT

INITIAL REPORT - January 15, 2016
LONG TERM REPORT - May 23, 2017

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: Mike Pearl
EMAIL: mikepearl36ATyahooDOTcom
AGE: 43
LOCATION: Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
GENDER: M
HEIGHT: 5' 9" (1.75 m)
WEIGHT: 155 lb (70.30 kg)

I have a great appreciation for the outdoors and get out at every opportunity. I am a three-season, learning to be a four-season backpacker and year-round hiker. Currently, my trips are two to three days long as well as an annual week-long trip. I utilize the abundant trail shelters in my locale and pack a backup tarp-tent. I like to cover big distances while still taking in the views. I have lightweight leanings but function and reliability are the priority. I mostly travel woodland mountain terrain but enjoy hiking beautiful trails anywhere.


INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Granger's International Ltd.IMAGE 1
Year of Manufacture: 2016
Made in: England
Manufacturer's Website: grangers.co.uk

Down Wash
MSRP: 4.99 British Pound (US$6.18 on 12/16/16)
Listed Volume: 10 fl oz (300 ml)

Performance Wash
MSRP: 4.99 British Pound (US$6.18 on 12/16/16)
Listed Volume: 10 fl oz (300 ml)

Granger's Down Wash is a cleaning solution for washing down insulated gear. The details below are from product bottle and company website.

- Specially formulated to clean all down-filled articles, including sleeping bags and jackets.
- Formulated to clean all down and synthetic-filled clothing and equipment.
- Removes dirt and neutralizes odor without reducing loft or performance
- Can be used to prepare a garment for future water-proofing treatments.
- Best used in conjunction with a tumble dryer - down items should always be tumble dried when
appropriate.
- A bluesign system approved product.
- Environmentally responsible, water based.
- Recommended for all fabrics including Gore-Tex.

While ingredients are not listed the following is provided on the bottle.
Contains

I had not heard of bluesign before now, so I looked it up online. The bluesign system helps guide the textile industry in production processes that minimize the impact on the environment.

Granger's Performance Wash is a cleaning solution for cleaning technical garments. The details below are from product bottle and company website.

- Specially formulated to clean all technical fabrics and clothing.
- Removes dirt and neutralizes odors without impairing performance.
- Protects the water-repellent finish on waterproof clothing.
- Can be used to prepare a garment for future water-proofing treatments.
- Suitable for use on all Gore-Tex and eVent garments.
- A bluesign system approved product.
- Environmentally responsible, water based.

The same ingredients listed above in the Down Wash are listed on the Performance Wash bottle.

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

I received two bottles of Down Wash and Performance Wash. The bottles remind me of shampoo bottles but tough, hip ones. The labeling however quickly clues me into its real purpose. On the Down Wash there are images of a jacket and sleeping bag. On the Performance Wash there are images of a baselayer and shell jacket. Both have direct and easy to understand instructions.

The Granger's website is more informative still. One of the things that struck me most was the comparison to household laundry detergents. There are no perfumes, optical brighteners or heavy cleaning agents in Down Wash that can be found in regular detergents. Down Wash is formulated to clean without leaving chemical residues that can reduce downs ability to insulate or repel water. There are also use instructions (listed in next section) as well as a short video demonstration. If this doesn't cover it all there is an email address listed for further inquiries.

The Granger's website provides similar information for the Performance Wash. Performance Wash is designed to work with technical clothing and specialist materials. Unlike household laundry detergents that will clean these fabrics Performance Wash will not negatively affect performance. Regular detergents can leave residues that can hurt breathability or water-repellency. Performance Wash cleans while maintaining any water-repellent treatments.

The Granger Down Wash sounds like the way to go for my dirty down items. And Performance Wash for refreshing my and rain gear.

READING THE INSTRUCTIONS

Unlike most backpacking items I have used I was very intent on reading the instructions. I have never used products like these before. And I really don't want to chance messing up any of my down or rain gear. I carefully read the instructions on the bottle and glad I did.

Down Wash instructions found on the bottle.

1. One 50ml cap-full cleans one jacket or two-full for a sleeping bag*
2. Wash on a full wash cycle
3. Tumble dry if garment care label permits

*For top-loading washing machines double your dosage
Full instructions available on online

So back to the company web page. And this is why I was glad, the full instructions.

Down Wash instructions found on company website.

- Use one 50ml capful per wash load, or half a cap if hand-washing. For sleeping bags, use two capfuls.
- If possible avoid washing down items in top-loading washing machines, as this can potentially damage
the down filling.
- Wash on a full cycle (wash, rinse and spin) at 30 C or 86 F.
- Dry down garments as per their care label instruction; always tumble dry where possible. We
recommend drying on a low heat for two or three hours, or until the garment is completely dry.

Again I am glad I noticed the note of full instructions being online. While the bottle instructions are simple and clear there is some very valuable additional information online. The recommendation to avoid top-loading machines although not applicable to me is not to be overlooked. Another noteworthy but confusing point is the mention of wash temperature. I don't know what temperature my washing machine reaches. I have the option to select cold, warm or hot on my machine. My best guess is to select the warm setting as my water tank heater is set to reach a maximum temperature of 130 F (54 C).

The Performance Wash use instructions on the bottle do not differ much from that of the company website.
They provide basically the same directions.

1. One 50 ml capful cleans one jacket or two baselayers.*
2. Wash on a full wash cycle.
3. Drip dry or tumble dry if garment care label permits.

*For top-loading washing machines double your dosage

The website provides two additional points.

- Apply this product directly to a garment to combat tough stains.
- Wash on a full cycle (wash, rinse, spin) at 30 C or 86 F.

SUMMARY

The season of cold and/or wet is in full swing. I am regularly wearing down insulation and DWR layers. After several seasons without a wash or retreatment both of these vital layers could benefit from these Granger's products. Both products fit a specific niche and seem designed to meet it. I will be rounding up my dingy and less than fresh gear for a tidying up.


LONG-TERM REPORT

LONG-TERM TEST CONDITIONS

IMAGE 1
Before Wash
IMAGE 2
After Wash


Items wash per instructions in a front load high efficiency washer and dryer.

- Two down jackets
- One down sleeping bag
- Two rain jackets
- One rain pant







PERFORMANCE

I washed the two down jackets together. The sleeping bag I washed on its own. The rain pants and jackets went in the wash together. I followed the directions as listed in the previous section.
IMAGE 3
Before Wash
IMAGE 4
After Wash

The down jackets had visible discoloration as well as odors from wood fires prior to washing. After washing the odors were removed as well as the most severe discoloration. The most noticeable area was the collar. Prior to wash both jackets had darkened collars from contact with skin. After wash both were much brighter and the darkened areas removed. Once completely dry the loft of both jackets quickly returned after one day of wear. The warmth and performance of both jackets were just as a good as before washing.

The sleeping bag is a rather old 30 F (-1 C) Slumberjack. Its insulation still worked OK but was kind of clumpy. There was no apparent dirt or odor. After washing however the bag was visibly brighter. The insulation was much more evenly distributed and with more loft. Using the sleeping bag afterward was comfortable without any cold spots.
IMAGE 5
Before Wash

IMAGE 6
After Wash

The rain gear had the dreary look that sad rainy hikes leaves on things. The slight musty odor of perspiration and damp clothing was also present. After running them through the wash both the jackets and pants were bright and odor free. Both items continued to repel water in a light shower hike after being washed.

SUMMARY

The Granger's Down Wash and Performance Repel worked quite well to brighten, remove odor and renew the loft of the items I washed. Both products provide easy, safe cleaning of my delicate insulation and technical fabrics. The directions and process couldn't be much easier. There were no chemical odors or residues during or after use. This all adds up to great way to care for my items that need special care when laundering. I will look toward these products when such items need cleaning again.

This concludes my Long-Term Report. My thanks to Granger's and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test these two items.

This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org Report Writer Version 1.5 Copyright 2017. All rights reserved.

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