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Many manufacturers of high performance outdoor clothing use outer fabrics that are treated with durable water repellent. The vast majority, despite differences in marketing names and claims, are based on flouropolymers. These are PTFE molecules that are applied to the surface and cured at high heat to make them adhere better and increase performance. These compounds have a fluorine atom at one end which is highly hydrophobic. Heat causes them to align themselves with their flourines exposed. Water tries to move away from the flourines resulting in beading. This allows the water to roll off without wetting the fabric.
The problem with DWR’s is that they must be very clean to work well. Anything that contaminates the surface can mask the effects of the flourines, giving the water a place to contact and attack. Over a period of a few months, sulfides and other pollutants in the air can settle on the fabric and reduce repellency even if the garment is not worn.
Fortunately, if properly applied, the DWR can be washed, dried, and heated at least 25 times before the flouropolymer must be replaced. But only a residue-free detergent (RFD) like Sport-Wash or Sensi-Clean can leave the fabric completely residue-free. All other soaps and detergents leave residue of surfactants, fragrances, and UV Brighteners which all reduce repellency. The residue also destroys all other features like wicking, breathability, insulation, and rapid drying.
Most reproofing products can be spray applied or washed-in in the rinse cycle. Spraying, brushing, wiping, etc. is a very efficient use of product. It is applied just where it is needed.
Wash-in on the other hand is very inefficient. Most of the chemical goes down the drain. Worse yet, it eliminates wicking and other moisture management throughout the entire garment. After a few washes in their recommended detergent the wash-in repellency is gone. This is a great benefit to the retailers of water repellent clothing because it suggests to users that it is time to reproof or replace/recycle the item.
The alternative is Permanent Water-Guard. When properly applied, it is guaranteed to still bead water after 25 washings in Sport-Wash Residue Free Detergent. Sport-Wash will also restore good factory DWR at least 25 times. Sport-Wash completely restores all the features and benefits of your high performance clothes, eliminating the need to replace/recycle or even reproof your treasures.
Washer and Dryer safe articles that have no DWR can also be treated with Permanent Water-Guard. In order to maximize performance, there are two formulas of Permanent Water-Guard. The 17oz trigger bottle item #1356 is optimized for 100% cotton or cotton blends. The 10 ½ oz aerosol item #1357 is optimized for 100% synthetics like nylon, polyester, acrylic, etc. These can be used to create your own highly breathable yet water repellent “Soft Shell” system. #1356 can also be used as a wash-in and will exceed the performance of competing brands, but why not just do it right and enjoy our 25 wash guarantee.
Don’t replace/recycle your high performance favorites. Restore them with Sport-Wash and Permanent Water-Guard. With the time, money, and resources you save you can enjoy the outdoors more. Request a free sample of Sport-Wash and learn more at atsko.com.
Boot Care
How to take care of your hard-working leather.
How to treat and protect the leather of ice skates.
SNO-SEAL Instructions
Benefits of SNO-SEAL
Product information on Welt-Seal.
Which to use?
N-O-DOR II Insert.
Information on the hard working but sensitive Sport Wash Hair & Body Soap.
Leaflet on the clean-rinsing Sensi-Clean Shampoo & Body Gel.
Discusses proper care of performance fabrics.
Why Sport-Wash is perfect for all your laundry needs.
Product leaflet for Sensi-Clean laundry detergent.
Soft-Shell Systems Breathability Without Barriers.
Odor Oxidizer Instructions.
Deer sense of smell.
Using ATSKO products to prevent odors.
Caring for acu's and bdu's.
Caring for performance fabrics.
How to properly care for cloth diapers.
Differences between soap and detergent.
Discusses proper care of these specialized fabrics.
Discusses proper care of performance fabrics.
Clemson University evaluating Sport-Wash against other detergents.
Clemson University evaluating Sensi-Clean against other detergents.
Flammability of Children's sleepwear testing.
Rinsability differences between Sensi-Clean and Tide.
How Sensi-Clean and other Atsko products help you avoid rashes, allergies, and other side effects.
Why Sport-Wash is perfect for all your laundry needs.
Product leaflet for Sensi-Clean laundry detergent.
Soft-Shell Systems Breathability Without Barriers.
50 Consecutive Test Durability
Loss of repellency by washing
Do it yourself Repellency Test
The effects of the sun and the protection U-V-Block can afford.
Skin Cancer and how Atsko products can help protect you.
Proper usage of U-V-Block
Protect yourself from the sun.
U-V-Protective Standards.
U-V Transmittance Meaurements.
UV Transmittance Properties
Article from Wounds1.com.
Information on Permanent Water-Guard Trigger Spray.
Information on Permanent Water-Guard Aerosol.
Water-Guard Extreme Benefits.
Camo Conspiracy
HE Washing Detergents.
Wash-in VS Spray-on with a 25 Wash Guarantee.
How Sensi-Clean and other Atsko products help you avoid rashes, allergies, and other side effects.
Ingredients List.
Information on Pro-Tech-Skin cream.
The effects of the sun and the protection U-V-Block can afford.
Skin Cancer and how Atsko products can help protect you.
Protect yourself from the sun.
U-V-Protective Standards.
U-V Transmittance Meaurements.
Enhance performance of skin and hair treatments.
Article from Wounds1.com.
Information on the hard working but sensitive Sport Wash Hair & Body Soap.
Leaflet on the clean-rinsing Sensi-Clean Shampoo & Body Gel.
How to use Pet Shampoo.
Product information on the Rapid-Rod gun barrel cleaner.
The way fish, game, and birds see and smell and how you can stay camouflauged to them.
Reference for more information on UV and Color vision.
Camo Conspiracy
Tips for applying U-V-Killer.
Bill Jordan
Detectability and Visibility
Proving the Obvious
Color Vision in Deer
N-O-DOR II Insert.
Information on the hard working but sensitive Sport Wash Hair & Body Soap.
How to take care of your hard-working leather.
How to treat and protect the leather of ice skates.
Product information on Welt-Seal.
Information on Permanent Water-Guard Trigger Spray.
Information on Permanent Water-Guard Aerosol.
Water-Guard Extreme Benefits.
Information on the Water-Guard Products
50 Consecutive Test Durability
Loss of repellency by washing
Do it yourself Repellency Test
Discusses proper care of these specialized fabrics.
Discusses proper care of performance fabrics.
Why Sport-Wash is perfect for all your laundry needs.
Product leaflet for Sensi-Clean laundry detergent.
Soft-Shell Systems Breathability Without Barriers.
Wash-in VS Spray-on with a 25 Wash Guarantee.
Discusses proper care of these specialized fabrics.
Discusses proper care of performance fabrics.
How to properly care for cloth diapers.
Why Sport-Wash is perfect for all your laundry needs.
Product leaflet for Sensi-Clean laundry detergent.
Soft-Shell Systems Breathability Without Barriers.
Information on Permanent Water-Guard Trigger Spray.
Information on Permanent Water-Guard Aerosol.
50 Consecutive Test Durability
Loss of repellency by washing
Do it yourself Repellency Test
Article from Wounds1.com.
Proper usage of U-V-Block
Protect yourself from the sun.
U-V-Protective Standards.
U-V Transmittance Meaurements.
UV Transmittance Properties
The way fish, game, and birds see and smell and how you can stay camouflauged to them.
Artice from thescientist.com
Tips for applying U-V-Killer.
Reference for more information on UV and Color vision.
Learning to use the UV Light
Bill Jordan
Detectability and Visibility
Proving the Obvious
Color Vision in Deer
N-O-DOR II Insert.
Information on the hard working but sensitive Sport Wash Hair & Body Soap.
Camo Conspiracy
Why Atsko is green.
Feel good phrases.
Legacy of Conservation
Performance is Sport-Wash's greenest feature.
Don't Be fooled by Feel-Good green.
Recycling VS. Restoration
Restore it or Replace it.
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