Flotation Suit

vince · 11 December 2006, 20:53

Evening all! I have owned and used an Imax flotation suit for a couple of seasons now, and to be honest, its starting to walk on its own! It realy does smell bad, salty kinda smell, with a bit of fear thrown in! My good lady would chuck it away, but it runs off on its own. I havn`t chucked it in the bit white square spinny thing in the kitchen cos i dont know if it will damage the bouency cell stuff, plus there are no washing instructions on the labels. And i`ve googled imax for details, but cant find a thing. Has anyone washed their flotation suit and its been ok, or 3 sizes smaller, or bits fallen off etc? Please advise...

Nos4r2 · 11 December 2006, 20:55

Ask the guys on worldseafishing.com. They use them a lot.

Poly · 11 December 2006, 21:42

I know a sea school who wash theirs in the machine on a 40 deg wash with non bio washing powder. Slow spin, then drip dry - may need reproofed after a few washed.

HOWEVER - my own suit (Cosalt Cormorant) also has no tag (and is yet to be used / washed) - I think the tag that came on it said Handwash only - but I seem to have thrown it out.

If you want to be really cautious - 40 deg C water (no soap) can't do it any harm - after all its designed to go it the water! Stick in in the bath and rinse it through a few times.

vince · 11 December 2006, 21:56

Thanks chaps, will put it in on a low wash and see what happens. It`ll keep the missus happy at least!

codprawn · 11 December 2006, 22:21

You should be able to use LUX pure soap flakes - they are used when you can't use a detergent - used to use it on climbing ropes etc.

AndrewH · 11 December 2006, 23:10

Also worth bearing in mind that most foul weather kit (Helly Hansen, Gill, Musto) can be washed in any non-bio detergent.

I've washed my dingy sailing bouyancy aid any number of times this way and its still works just fine

Andrew

The Jackeens · 12 December 2006, 07:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

If you want to be really cautious - 40 deg C water (no soap) can't do it any harm - after all its designed to go it the water! Stick in in the bath and rinse it through a few times.

Most machines have an even lower temp setting these days. Look for 'wool' settings/cold wash etc. Worth a try but do feedback on results!

Worth having a chat with a retailer re: waterproofing.

Kathleen (years & years of experience)

vince · 12 December 2006, 14:48

Well, came back from work today, and my good lady has washed my Imax suit. It looks larvly! Smells great too. Cant help feeling that its lost some of its charm and character though! And its back to its proper colour. She used soap flakes in the end. It does feel a bit stiff (the suit) but that should dissapear with a bit of use! Thanks for the advice all!