Help-does anyone know how to clean this?

[jkhs]

My DH recieved a really nice jacket from my parents last spring and when he took it out of our basement storage area to wear the other day he discovered that there was mold/mildew all over it. It's not a normal fabric, so I have no clue as to how I should clean it. The jacket actually belonged to my grandfather, who recieved it as a gift from relatives in Scotland about 20 years ago. The fabric is very heavy and sort of stiff, it's almost slick feeling. It's suppose to be wind and water proof, and if I remember correctly, I believe that my grandfather waxed or oiled it occassionally (but I could be wrong). All the tags on the jacket say are "made in England", so that doesn't help. Could this be oil cloth? Any ideas as to how I should clean it and then care for it long term? It's such a nice jacket, I'd hate to ruin it.

[aunt fannie]

I am clueless about the fabric... does it feel like leather or suede? I would probably take it to a professional leather cleaner and ask them.

[jkhs]

It's definately not made of leather or suede. The nearest cleaner that I'd take anything to is 60 miles away, so I'd really like to clean it myself if possible.

[Rita]

Just guessing, but if it came from Scotland it probably is some form of wool or wool blend.

[braggscowboy]

Sounds like oil cloth to me.

[MullersLaneFarm]

Sounds like oil cloth to me also. There should be info on the www on how to clean oil cloth.

[Cabin Fever]

I have several oil cloth articles of hunting clothing (Filson Brand). They recommend to NEVER wash or dry clean the clothing. Such cleaning will remove the oil/wash finish.

If it gets dirty, the company recommends to simply brush it with a stiff brush and reapply the wax as needed.

If this clothing were mine, I would hang it out in bright sunlight to “sun sanitize” it. Then, I would apply some wax.

Below is the wax that my hunting clothes use.....

[Darren]

It's not oil cloth. It's a cotton fabric that's been waxed. That's very common in England. From Barbour's website.

Q. How often do you recommend reproofing a wax jacket and can I do it myself?

A. It all depends on the amount of use of the jacket and how it is stored. With regular wear we would recommend that it is re-proofed every year.

You can reproof the jacket yourself by purchasing a tin of Barbour Thornproof Dressing from a Barbour stockist and carefully follow the instructions on the tin.

Q. My wax jacket is dirty how can I clean it?

A. The only way you can clean your waxed cotton garment is to sponge it down with clean cold water - including the inner lining.

Do not use soaps or detergents, wash in a washing machine or dry clean as this would permanently damage the garment and any re-application of the wax coating will be totally absorbed by the cotton fabric and will soil the inner lining. This in turn, will soil any clothing worn underneath the jacket.

Q. How do I wash a waterproof / breathable jacket?

A. Please refer to the washing instructions sewn into each garment. Generally all Barbour waterproof breathable outerwear can be machine or hand-washed at 30 degrees. The use of a 'non-detergent soap' such as Nikwax Techwash is recommended for waterproof breathable garments. Fabric softeners should not be used as these prevent the durable water repellent treatment from working effectively.

Q. Can I dry clean my Barbour wax jacket?

A. No, unfortunately you cannot dry clean Barbour wax garments. The chemical process used in dry cleaning may permanently damage or remove the proofing.

Q. I've put my wax jacket into a washing machine to clean it and now all the wax has come off. What can I do?

A. Unfortunately there is nothing that can be done as the washing process strips all the wax finish from the cotton fabric. Any re-application of the wax coating will be totally absorbed by the cotton fabric and will soil the inner lining which, in turn, will soil any clothing worn underneath.

http://www.barbour.com/us/customer-services

Here's a link to a site that tells how to rewax the coat. It's obvious from the instructions that it's a wax not an oil. Note the suggestion of using a non-detergent soap.

http://lark-blogvancouver.blogspot.c...-dressing.html

[Harry Chickpea]

Great stuff, Darren. Given what you just posted, I can only think of a couple of ideas - the sun-sanitizing, or possibly an ozone generator and then brushing the fabric down or vacuuming it. UV and ozone both go after mold and mildew and are dry processes.

[Graham]

I concur, it sounds like a Barbour jacket. Like as been said already, don't wash it. In fact country folk in Britain wear the marks and stains like badges of honor. Just make sure it is waxed well and it will give you years and years of service. What I used to do was apply a good coat of wax and then hang it and go over the whole coat with a hairdryer to push the wax into the weave.

[Harry Chickpea]

I just remembered an old trick. Dunno whether or not it would work on this, but it is possible to clean some things with really cold snow, scrubbing it in.

[Cabin Fever]

Originally Posted by Harry Chickpea

I just remembered an old trick. Dunno whether or not it would work on this, but it is possible to clean some things with really cold snow, scrubbing it in.

I've never heard of that method to clean things...will have to try it. But scrubbing with snow will "dry" off wet furs and wool.

[jkhs]

Wow! Thanks for all the info. I knew I could count on you guys to know what to do. I'm going to try wiping it down with a damp cloth this morning and then I'll hang it out in the sun for a few days (taking it in at night, of course). By then the reproofing wax I ordered should be here.