Maintenance of Guy Cotten products

Our advice

Guy Cotten chooses the most suitable materials and fabrics for the best performance for each sailing activity. To maintain the quality of these fabrics, it is essential to follow the recommendations on how to look after each item of clothing.

Salt and UV, in particular are agressif. To counter this, our garments and foul weather gear should frequently be rinsed in fresh water.
Storage of clothing for prolonged periods in a damp environment should be avoided.
Salt is the number one enemy of breathable fabrics, so rinsing in fresh water is very important. Waterproofing can suffer from washing and it needs to be “revived”. Waterproofing can also be revived by the low heat of an iron. When the exterior of the fabric starts to get soaked by water it is time to do something about it.
Following the recommendations on how to look after your marine wear will prolong its life.

Care of your clothing

• We advise you to rinse your clothing in fresh water as soon as you get back from the sea. This precaution will prevent the slider of your zip from sticking due to salt. It will also reduce the feeling of weight and humidity when next used.
• PVC, breathable and Power Stretch textiles can be machine-washed at a maximum of 30°, on a wool cycle, with no fabric conditioner and no spin, and should be left to drip dry on your washing line.
• PVC fabrics can also be washed by hand in lukewarm water using soap and rubbing lightly.
• Although it is possible to use the tumble-drier for breathable fabrics, we do not recommend it. It should definitely not be used for any of our other fabrics.
• Solvents, fabric conditioners, bleach (even diluted!) and similar products damage the coating or impregnation and may have irremediable consequences on the fabric's effectiveness.
• A quick trick for freeing a slider jammed with salt: soak it in lukewarm water (which dissolves the amalgams) then gently slide the slider the full length of the zip. This will prevent the zip's teeth from breaking.
• Careful of stains!

CAREFUL: The following substances are virtually indelible, particularly on fabrics coated with PVC:

• Tar.
• Some forms of grease.
• Various inks.
• Unfixed colours (in certain conditions - heat, humidity – colours from other clothing or accessories can “migrate” onto your Cotten wear). In such cases, the manufacturer of these articles or faulty colours is responsible.
  Only immediate action can remove or tone down the stains: using a greasy substance (oil, fat) lightly applied with a sponge or a cloth.