Tyvek Question

[oldgringo]

I've got a small project using Tyvek, and plan to run it through the wash a few times to soften the fabric. Can I just add it to my normal wash, or will laundry detergent harm the Tyvek?

[Joey]

I washed mine with clothes and detergent once. It didn't harm it a bit.

[RootCause]

I don't have direct experience, but I don't think the detergent will hurt the tyvek at all.

I've just balled mine up, stuffed in a compression sack, taken it out, got it wet, repeat a couple times and it softened as much as tyvek does. I think it's more the moisture and nondirectional crumpling that does it. It doesn't seem to absorb any water at all.

[gargoyle]

Your doing laundry and sewing?

[oldgringo]

Your doing laundry and sewing?

Renaissance man.

[NewtonGT]

can I ask what the tyvek project is?

[oldgringo]

can I ask what the tyvek project is?

I'm playing around with hammock socks. This prolly won't breathe well enough, but it's cheap, and things are slow.

[NewtonGT]

I'm playing around with hammock socks. This prolly won't breathe well enough, but it's cheap, and things are slow.

wow!!! I just posted about that because when I read this I started thinking about the idea! its in a new thread. I was wondering about it too

[hrairoorah]

I washed mine but didn't use detergent. I dried it in the dryer on fluff with an old pair of sneakers to help soften the tyvek.

[patermagnus]

have read that fabric softner specifically casued tyvek to deteriorate, but not until the guy was out in the field. I would not use detergent. Have made some tarps and it took 3 washings in an upright washing machine to get it adequately soft. did not use any detergent or softner. you likely can run it on a "small" load setting even if the tarp is bigger. will likely still get adequately wet.