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Washing shirts

topic posted Mon, April 9, 2007 - 5:54 PM by  offlineRich
So I made a very simple EL t-shirt:
observationz.blogspot.com/2007/...y.html

Question is - how do I wash it without pulling it apart?

Has anyone tried a cold hand wash on an EL wired article and did it keep glowing afterwards?
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Rich
online Rich
New Zealand
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  • Sant...
    Santaliscious
    offline 253

    Re: Washing shirts

    Tue, April 10, 2007 - 9:23 AM
    As long as there are no openings/cracks/breaks in the pvc sheath and you keep the exposed leads from getting wet, you'll have no problem. I would expect a short if water gets inside the pvc sheath.
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  • Terry
    Terry
    offline 77

    Re: Washing shirts

    Tue, April 10, 2007 - 12:08 PM

    I would worry less about the water than I would about the agitation during washing/drying

    0. Fill a tub or tray with enough water to easily cover the t-shirt and add washing detergent
    1. Disconnect the driver/inverter
    2. Put the shirt into the water and gently move it around a little., then let it sit for a few minutes.
    3. Drain the soapy water, and refill with rinse water. Agitate a little to thoroughly rinse.
    4. Hang dry
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    • Chen
      Chen
      online 0

      Re: Washing shirts

      Wed, April 11, 2007 - 6:32 PM
      If your connector is water-proof one, unplug the power supply. You will have no problem even put into washing machine.
      I mean wire from Lytec only :P
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  • Marcy
    Marcy
    offline 82

    Re: Washing shirts

    Thu, June 21, 2007 - 10:56 PM
    There shouldn't be a problem cleaning your garment. Hang it in the shower (battery and controller should be disconnected) and spray it down. You want to keep the wire from crimping, bending or twisting.
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    • Flux
      Flux
      offline 177

      Re: Washing shirts

      Thu, June 21, 2007 - 11:09 PM
      I second the shower method. Plus a little hand soaping.

      Absolutely do not put your shirt in a washer! If EL wire is bent repeatedly or at sharp angles the phosphor coating will crack and cause a short.
      A washer would mangle it.
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      • Rich
        Rich
        online 25

        Re: Washing shirts

        Sat, June 23, 2007 - 12:01 AM
        BTW, I forgot to post that I washed my shirt twice by soaking in a bathtub and rinsing in the shower and the glowiness is unscathed!
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