How to wash a Gorka suit in a washing machine

This suit made of canvas fabric has not lost its popularity since the times of the USSR. Initially it was intended for the military, but now it is actively used by hunters, fishermen, hikers and paintball players. “Gorka” has excellent thermal insulation properties and reliably protects its owner from wind, rain, and sudden temperature changes. But how to clean these clothes? Is it possible to wash a slide suit in a washing machine?

Product care

In order to know how to care for such clothing, you need to understand its characteristics. Clothing can be summer, winter and demi-season. But it has common properties:

• Canvas material;
• Lining Summer options have a cotton lining. It allows the skin to “breathe” and absorbs sweat well. In winter and demi-season items, fleece is used as insulation;
• Large number of pockets;
• Pads on areas subject to rapid abrasion.

The product must be cleaned from dirt in a timely manner so that dust and dirt do not have time to be absorbed into the fabric. When wet, the fabric must be dried; it is better to do this in a horizontal position. It is not recommended to leave the material in the sun, as it can fade and streaks appear on the fabric from ultraviolet rays. Check the availability of accessories in a timely manner.

How to wash?

“Gorka” is produced in Russia by several manufacturers, so the tailoring and material of the product may differ. Before cleaning, it is better to look at the product label to see what cleaning methods the manufacturer has provided for the material.

How to wash an item correctly? Most products can be washed either by hand or in a washing machine. Do not use chlorine, stain removers, bleaches or other aggressive substances when washing. Regular washing powder will not work; it is better to use liquid; simple laundry soap will replace the stain remover. The material has a porous structure, so it will be very difficult to rinse out all the powder. After drying, white spots will remain on the clothes.

Canvas material shrinks, so it cannot be washed in hot water. Regardless of the type of cleaning (manual or automatic), the water temperature should not exceed 40 degrees. This is the maximum figure. The optimal washing temperature may vary depending on the suit manufacturer, so it's best to check the label. If this condition is not met, the product may shrink by several sizes.

The best way to clean clothes is handwash in cool water. A liquid product is added to the basin, the suit, previously turned inside out, is soaked for 3-4 hours. Then it is carefully cleaned with a brush (medium hardness). You need to rinse several times, gradually reducing the water temperature.

Features of washing in a washing machine

Modern machines allow you to clean a slide suit without damaging the fabric. There are many modes that operate at low temperatures. The most suitable of them are: “gentle care” and “delicate fabrics“.

Before putting clothes in drum, make sure all zippers and pockets are closed. There should be no foreign objects left inside the pockets. If there is a lot of sand or dirt on the item, it is better to pre-soak it or rinse it under running water. Use only liquid products. It is recommended to add an additional rinse. It is better to either turn off the spin completely or leave it at minimum speed (no more than 600 revolutions).

Drying the product

Immediately after washing, the suit should be hung vertically for a few minutes to allow the water to drain off (if automatic spinning was not used). It is necessary to dry the “slide” in a horizontal position in a warm, well-ventilated room. To avoid fading, the product should be placed in a shaded place away from direct sunlight.

When laying out the suit, you need to straighten out all the folds. If this is difficult to do, after the suit has completely dried, you need to iron it through the fabric with an iron (no higher than setting 2) with the steam function turned on. The iron temperature should not be higher than 250 degrees.

The suit takes a long time to dry, but it is important that it dry completely naturally, without artificial intervention.

Further care

After the suit has dried, it can be treated with a special polyurethane impregnation, which will restore its water-repellent properties.You can purchase it in specialized stores for recreation and tourism. However, it should be taken into account that after using aerosols, the fabric will not “breathe” and in the summer it will be very stuffy in such a suit.

It is better to store it in a special case. If the suit is stored folded, it is important to fold it correctly to avoid creases. Before folding the suit, it is recommended that you first watch the video on how to do it correctly.

Disadvantages of the suit

These clothes require careful care. Besides this, it has other disadvantages:

• although it doesn’t get very wet in the rain, once wet it becomes heavier;
• if not properly cared for, it may shrink or fade;
• After numerous washes it loses its waterproof properties.

To summarize, I would like to note that washing the “slide” using automatic machine Can. The main thing is to choose the appropriate washing mode, turn off the automatic spin cycle or use it at minimum speed, and dry the product in natural conditions.