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Okay, my GoreTex jacket is about three years old, and not as waterproof as it once was. I know there's a way to revitalize the effectiveness of the Gore Tex, but I can't remember how. Smoething like putting it in the dryer or running a warm iron over it, but I can't quite remember. Also, isn't there some special treatment you can use as well?
wash with this
http://www.nikwax-usa.com/images/techwash.gif
leave in the machine, then wash again with this
http://www.nikwax-usa.com/images/txdirect.gif
It is a little pricy but works really well.
nix wax
I would save the cash on the Tech Wash. From what I have heard, it's a mild detergent. Nothing more. Also, the NikWak stuffs works, but it doesn't last that long. Next time I waterproof my coat I'm going to try Revivex, similiar to Nik Wak, but not wax based.
True Junkie, I forgot that for detergent I use ivory flakes. I think it is important not to use regular soap detergent. As far as durablitiy goes, since all my gear is old, I rewaterproof every year.
The spray-on Nikwax works a lot better than the wash-in, in my experience. I've used both a bunch of times and sold a lot of both as well.
a lot of times a goretex jacket will begin to suck because it's dirty and vapor doesn't escape. Wash it with a mild soap (Ivory flake is best, not a detergent) and hang it to dry. The outside water repellent coating is what gets worn away, and like glass it's always liquid. So it runs off the shoulders and down the surface of the jacket. Using a warm iron, smear whatever's left of the coating around the jacket, just moving the iron from the hem of the jacket up toward the top. Then hit it with the spray-on nikwax (or whatever). It'll never be as good as new, but it'll be better than it is now.
edit: sorry, used to work at Patagonia, this is my autopilot response. Have a giid surgery brah!
Public Service Announcement:
Never, ever, ever use liquid detergent on any of your techinical outerwear. Not on shells, not on base layers, not on anything but cotton. Most liquid detergents have a fabric softener component that clogs the pores of your synthetic fabrics.
Your problem isn't the Gore-Tex -- it's the DWR coating on the outside.
What Pete said -- use a non-detergent soap (REI sells little bottles for cheap).
Then tumble-dry it -- often this is enough to revitalize the DWR coating and you're good to go.
If not, wash, spray on the Nikwax, and then tumble-dry.
I wash my gear with Dr. Bonner's liquid soap- just love that fresh pepperminty scent- and then do the spray-on. You only need the Nikwax on the outside, not the inside, so it doesn't make sense to wash it in.