Washing clothes

[Brittany boy]

Can anyone advise what they wash their shooting clothing in and I don't mean a washing machine model. I have used normal washing liquid and now realise it has UV enhancers, the pigeons and deer seem to see me from miles away and avoid me any advice welcome.

 

[HappyHunter]

Much mixed opinions on this. Bottom line... If it worries you, avoid anything with optical brighteners in. I'm sure there are bespoke detergents available. Nikwax? But basic soap flakes will work. Many organic or detergents for sensitive skin have less additives in too.

 

[Mungo]

What is this ‘washing’ you speak of??

 

[Tim.243]

Can anyone advise what they wash their shooting clothing in and I don't mean a washing machine model. I have used normal washing liquid and now realise it has UV enhancers, the pigeons and deer seem to see me from miles away and avoid me any advice welcome.

Pigeons see you because you don't sit still in the hide....
Deer see movement same as foxes, crows, rooks....etc

The people who sell the expensive washing powders will sell you expensive washing powders...

Tim.243

 

[Rory]

Can anyone advise what they wash their shooting clothing in and I don't mean a washing machine model. I have used normal washing liquid and now realise it has UV enhancers, the pigeons and deer seem to see me from miles away and avoid me any advice welcome.

I've had it on good authority, and have used it, that if you must use a detergent, use the cheapest one (no brighteners, no enhancers, no fragrances, no biological agents).
White vinegar also works (tried it the last time, removes the deer blood very well) and doesn't leave any odours.
The way the fabric brighteners work is by enhancing the reflection of UV light, which makes tired clothes 'pop'. Obviously counter to what we need.
I've seen this with military 'IRR' (infrared reduction clothing) vs non IRR clothing (Pte Smith buys some Gucci Kombat MTP jacket instead of wearing 'G10 for men' issue IRR jacket). It glows bad enough with an IR monocle, IRR treated stuff washed with optical enhancers glows pretty badly too.

In summary, wash on a cold wash without water, or use some cheap soap or white vinegar. Don't iron your kit either.

 

[VSS]

Just water. Rarely.

 

[foxhunter]

Pigeons see you because you don't sit still in the hide....
Deer see movement same as foxes, crows, rooks....etc

The people who sell the expensive washing powders will sell you expensive washing powders...

Tim.243

The voice of reason , I never have a problem washing my clothes nothing but an old wives tale.

 

[paulbshooting]

I use nikwax mainly to help with waterproofing. I don't know how much the UV / whitening is fact or BS but just use nikwax rarely for when i need to wash the hunting gear. I only buy and use cheap deerhunter kit so maybe the more expensive brands and kit aren't so fussy on washing products.

 

[Tugmanade]

I’ve always used Nikwax Tech Wash, available from any outdoor clothing store.

Ade

 

[User00014]

I don’t ! My swandri smock has never seen the wash in 8 years and not washed my trousers since last March.

 

[mallettn]

Ecover - saves the planet and no optical brighteners. Washes well at 30 or 40 degrees so use for everything.

 

[foxhunter]

I don’t ! My swandri smock has never seen the wash in 8 years and not washed my trousers since last March.

You must stink

 

[User00014]

You must stink

the 2 muntjac i shot 2 days ago didn’t care!

 

[Roestalker39]

Old wives tale

 

[bullet chucker]

the 2 muntjac i shot 2 days ago didn’t care!

Neither do we!

BC.

 

[riflerob]

I never bother about any 'enhanced' brighteners that might be in my washing detergent.

My record closest fox shot was about 10 feet away. I've had deer within 20 feet of me. I can, by taking my time and moving really slowly, get within a few feet of rabbits out in the open.

I suspect you're blaming the wrong thing

 

[lochty]

Put the machine on a quick wash cycle, but empty. After this has finished, Jacket and plus fours in, on the coldest setting without detergent. The water resembles a burn in spate, but it seems to work....

 

[Oxon Stuart]

Hello,

I just use a pure liquid soap sparingly after running the washing machine empty for a cycle to make sure there's no residual normal washing powder, etc. in the machine.

Seems to work well.

Regards,

Stu

 

[jubnut]

I just use fairy non-bio.

Doesn't make any difference whatsoever.

 

[Brittany boy]

I'll try the washing machine water only no detergent, it's just the last deer I shot I got blood and gut contents on jacket and trousers and had previously washed an old jacket to clean it up, whenever I wear it out shooting it seems to spook things, a mate had said it was the UV enhancers in the washing detergent causing the problem. I know about the not moving and moving slowly and I've shot enough this year so can't be doing too much wrong. My other shooting gear hasn't been washed for a while now so was just wondering if anyone else had noticed the same reaction.
Thanks for the replys guys
J