Sunday, June 16, 2013

BARBOUR DIY

THERE IS NOTHING QUITE LIKE FINDING AN OLD, WELL USED BARBOUR. THE PATINA AND WEAR IS HALF THE CHARM OF THESE OLD GIRLS. THAT BEING SAID THEY CAN ALSO BE THE STINKIEST, FUNKIEST, MOLDIEST THINGS EVER. I HAVE BEEN KICKED OUT OF THE HOUSE ON A FEW OCCASIONS WEARING ONE AND TOLD TO HANG IT OUTDOORS. THIS LATEST FIND WAS EXACTLY THAT (STINKY) AND I COULD NOT BEAR TO SEE ALL THE LIFE (GREAT GREASY-LEATHERY FINISH) BE TAKEN OUT OF IT BY SENDING IT OFF FOR ODOR REMOVAL AND REPROOFING. (THIS WOULD USUALLY BE DONE BY NEW ENGLAND REPROOFERS WHO ALWAYS REWAX THE JACKET AFTER-MAKING IT LOOK LIKE NEW) SO, I DECIDED TO GIVE IT A TRY REMOVING THE MOLD AND MILDEW MYSELF.

 WHITE MOLDY SPOTS

I USED A 1/2 CUP OF BORAX  DILUTED IN ABOUT 2 QUARTS OF WARM WATER AND SPONGED THE INTERIOR (JACKET WAS INSIDE OUT) UNTIL DAMP. THEN I MIXED ABOUT A LITER OF WHITE DISTILLED VINEGAR WITH A 1/2 LITER OF COLD WATER (DILUTED VINEGAR WILL KILL AT LEAST 83% OF MOLD AND I HAVE USED IT STRAIGHT TO SUCCESSFULLY CLEAN MOLD OFF MY DRYING PANCETTA) I THEN SPONGED THE SOLUTION OVER THE ENTIRE EXTERIOR OF THE JACKET AND LEFT  IT ON A LINE TO DRY. THE JACKET HUNG ALL DAY IN THE SUN. AS YOU CAN SEE BELOW IT WAS A COMPLETE SUCCESS. ALL THE MOLD CLEANED OFF AND A GOOD 85% OF THE TOTAL FUNK SMELL DISAPPEARED. AFTER ALL AN OLD BARBOUR NEEDS TO SMELL A BIT LIKE AN OLD BARBOUR.

BEFORE
AFTER





6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Having a smaller Barbour collection myself, I bought 2 matching Bedales ( his and hers in size 36 and 40 with hoods for £44) last winter via ebay UK. They also have the flap pockets and two crests. And they also came with the worst moldy basement smell. I still haven't gotten all of it out. I tried sunshine, vodka/ water mixture, vanilla extract in a bag, you name it. I guess I will give the vinegar a shot next.

alex said...

im on the hunt for a 4 pocket bedale for a while but quite hard to find. thanks for the vinegar hint for cleaning and unmolding further jackets. bye alex

trip said...

This is a very interesting post. I just took delivery of an old Beaufort today that I got on Ebay. It's not visibly moldy, but does have a funk to it (more pungent than the other three Barbours that I own). I think I'm going to have to give this a shot. Thanks for the tips.

noa.tsaushu said...

Hello! I used Borax like recommended and it left the fabric very stiff. Anyone had the same reaction? Would appreciate your tips. Thank you, Noa

Matthew Hranek said...

Did you follow my directions EXACTLY? Try soaking is in plain water or spraying it down with a hose of cold water and let it hang dry.

noa.tsaushu said...

I did follow your exact directions :) Thank you for the tip, will soak!