Thinsulate care

**Alastair** · January 8th, 2006, 10:21 PM

Hi All,

Curious as to what people do to look after their thinsulate?

Thanks
Al

DUI's website says the following:

Quote: (Originally Posted by DUI-Online)

To receive the longest life possible from your DUI DiveWear garment, wash it as infrequently as possible. One way to accomplish this is to wear a thin garment beneath your DiveWear suit. The liner will absorb odors and perspiration from the body. Be sure that it is made from a synthetic material that wicks moisture away from the body. Avoid using cotton as a liner because it saturates with moisture easily and will conduct heat away from the body when wet. The liner can then be washed as needed, minimizing the need to launder the DiveWear garment with Thinsulate™ Insulation.

Machine-wash the DiveWear in cold water in a front-loading, tumbler-type washer. Hand washing is not recommended since it is difficult to work the water into and through the DiveWear to flush away dirt and it is also difficult to remove the water by hand without damaging the insulation. Each piece should be washed separately to avoid crowding in the machine and to maximize the cleaning action. Add detergent at the beginning of the wash cycle. Wash the garment for an additional four complete wash cycles without detergent.

When laundering DiveWear that has not been washed before, the following recommendations are made when minor cleaning is needed:

Salt crystals – Wash with clear water without detergent.
Disinfect – This may be required due to a unique application such as saturation diving or to remove mold if DiveWear was stored wet in a dark place. Add one cup of liquid non-chlorine bleach (follow label instructions) at the beginning of the wash cycle. DO NOT add detergent.
Odor – If odor is the only problem, wash the garment using one cup of white vinegar then put the garment through one complete wash cycle with water only.
Febreze® by Proctor and Gamble can be used during the wash cycle or sprayed on to remove odors. Follow product instructions.
Small area of grease or ground-in dirt, spot clean with detergent if possible, and then machine wash in clear water without additional detergent.

If the DiveWear has already been washed in detergent AND you are having a problem with water absorption, it is probably because all of the soap has not been removed. Putting it through 2-4 complete wash cycles without detergent can renew the insulation properties of the suit.

http://www.dui-online.com/tech_thinsulate_care.htm

***Bob Cooper*** · January 8th, 2006, 10:25 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Alastair)

Curious as to what people do to look after their thinsulate?

Nothing!

I have never, ever washed one! I was once told that they loose their insulation properties after washing, so I've never risked it.

Rick · January 8th, 2006, 10:30 PM

Same as Bob...just get a good wicking layer and wash that after every trip!

You still got my Artic you tinker?? :D

**Alastair** · January 8th, 2006, 10:51 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Rick)

You still got my Artic you tinker?? :D

Bugger yes - I've bought my own now so it's just sat on a shelf at home! I will one day bring it back!!!

Gary Moffat · January 9th, 2006, 10:51 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Rick)

Same as Bob...just get a good wicking layer and wash that after every trip!

You still got my Artic you tinker?? :D

Indeed Rick your suits are very fragrant :p :D

Same here I have not as yet washed mine.

vid · January 9th, 2006, 10:57 AM

so what's the wicking liner of choice to wear underneath the dui?

vid

**neilh** · January 9th, 2006, 11:19 AM

I've got Xerotherm's (not the arctics) under my RoHo thermocline, seems to keep me toasty

Rick · January 9th, 2006, 11:37 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by vid)

so what's the wicking liner of choice to wear underneath the dui?

vid

I use Lowe Alpine Dryflow...round about £25 per item (top/bottoms) and find them great.

Joe Hesketh · January 9th, 2006, 11:43 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Rick)

Same as Bob...just get a good wicking layer and wash that after every trip!

That's what I do. However, isn't the "hard core" line that you wear nothing underneath at all, the argument being that if you flood your suit you want the thinsulate to hold the heat next to your skin, not a fabric layer. It came up recently on the gavinscooters list.

I can't see it myself, after all, the thinsulate fibres in the undersuit are already behind a retaining fabric and then behind the fleecy lining. What difference does a skintight polyprop make just cause it's not sewn into the suit?

vid · January 9th, 2006, 11:53 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Rick)

I use Lowe Alpine Dryflow...round about £25 per item (top/bottoms) and find them great.

thanks rick - do you have 400 or 200 g thinsulate? as I'd imagine the 400g with a bottom layer would get very warm:D

vid

January 8th, 2006, 10:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
Alastair(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 693	Thinsulate care Hi All, Curious as to what people do to look after their thinsulate? Thanks Al DUI's website says the following: Quote: (Originally Posted by DUI-Online) To receive the longest life possible from your DUI DiveWear garment, wash it as infrequently as possible. One way to accomplish this is to wear a thin garment beneath your DiveWear suit. The liner will absorb odors and perspiration from the body. Be sure that it is made from a synthetic material that wicks moisture away from the body. Avoid using cotton as a liner because it saturates with moisture easily and will conduct heat away from the body when wet. The liner can then be washed as needed, minimizing the need to launder the DiveWear garment with Thinsulate™ Insulation. Machine-wash the DiveWear in cold water in a front-loading, tumbler-type washer. Hand washing is not recommended since it is difficult to work the water into and through the DiveWear to flush away dirt and it is also difficult to remove the water by hand without damaging the insulation. Each piece should be washed separately to avoid crowding in the machine and to maximize the cleaning action. Add detergent at the beginning of the wash cycle. Wash the garment for an additional four complete wash cycles without detergent. When laundering DiveWear that has not been washed before, the following recommendations are made when minor cleaning is needed: Salt crystals – Wash with clear water without detergent. Disinfect – This may be required due to a unique application such as saturation diving or to remove mold if DiveWear was stored wet in a dark place. Add one cup of liquid non-chlorine bleach (follow label instructions) at the beginning of the wash cycle. DO NOT add detergent. Odor – If odor is the only problem, wash the garment using one cup of white vinegar then put the garment through one complete wash cycle with water only. Febreze® by Proctor and Gamble can be used during the wash cycle or sprayed on to remove odors. Follow product instructions. Small area of grease or ground-in dirt, spot clean with detergent if possible, and then machine wash in clear water without additional detergent. If the DiveWear has already been washed in detergent AND you are having a problem with water absorption, it is probably because all of the soap has not been removed. Putting it through 2-4 complete wash cycles without detergent can renew the insulation properties of the suit. http://www.dui-online.com/tech_thinsulate_care.htm __________________ Helium is our friend - GI3

January 8th, 2006, 10:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rick(Offline) Jock Exley Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Falkirk/Stratford UK Posts: 730	Same as Bob...just get a good wicking layer and wash that after every trip! You still got my Artic you tinker?? :D __________________ Forget Everything And Remember http://phreaticzone.thedeepstop.com/ http://www.dublinbaydiving.com/

January 8th, 2006, 10:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
Alastair(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 693	Quote: (Originally Posted by Rick) You still got my Artic you tinker?? :D Bugger yes - I've bought my own now so it's just sat on a shelf at home! I will one day bring it back!!! __________________ Helium is our friend - GI3

January 9th, 2006, 11:37 AM	#8 (permalink)
Rick(Offline) Jock Exley Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Falkirk/Stratford UK Posts: 730	Quote: (Originally Posted by vid) so what's the wicking liner of choice to wear underneath the dui? vid I use Lowe Alpine Dryflow...round about £25 per item (top/bottoms) and find them great. __________________ Forget Everything And Remember http://phreaticzone.thedeepstop.com/ http://www.dublinbaydiving.com/

January 8th, 2006, 10:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
*Bob Cooper*(Offline) Moderator - "Don't stop me now!" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South East London, UK Posts: 680	Quote: (Originally Posted by Alastair) Curious as to what people do to look after their thinsulate? Nothing! I have never, ever washed one! I was once told that they loose their insulation properties after washing, so I've never risked it.

January 9th, 2006, 10:51 AM	#5 (permalink)
Gary Moffat(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: East Lothian Posts: 120	Quote: (Originally Posted by Rick) Same as Bob...just get a good wicking layer and wash that after every trip! You still got my Artic you tinker?? :D Indeed Rick your suits are very fragrant :p :D Same here I have not as yet washed mine.

January 9th, 2006, 10:57 AM	#6 (permalink)
vid(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: london/surrey border, UK Posts: 353	so what's the wicking liner of choice to wear underneath the dui? vid

January 9th, 2006, 11:19 AM	#7 (permalink)
neilh (Online) Haemoglobin on the bus... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Barnsley, UK Posts: 1,900	I've got Xerotherm's (not the arctics) under my RoHo thermocline, seems to keep me toasty

January 9th, 2006, 11:43 AM	#9 (permalink)
Joe Hesketh(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 657	Quote: (Originally Posted by Rick) Same as Bob...just get a good wicking layer and wash that after every trip! That's what I do. However, isn't the "hard core" line that you wear nothing underneath at all, the argument being that if you flood your suit you want the thinsulate to hold the heat next to your skin, not a fabric layer. It came up recently on the gavinscooters list. I can't see it myself, after all, the thinsulate fibres in the undersuit are already behind a retaining fabric and then behind the fleecy lining. What difference does a skintight polyprop make just cause it's not sewn into the suit?

January 9th, 2006, 11:53 AM	#10 (permalink)
vid(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: london/surrey border, UK Posts: 353	Quote: (Originally Posted by Rick) I use Lowe Alpine Dryflow...round about £25 per item (top/bottoms) and find them great. thanks rick - do you have 400 or 200 g thinsulate? as I'd imagine the 400g with a bottom layer would get very warm:D vid