cleaning waterproof ripstop nylon?

[v_megli_visim]

hello,
I have a bicycle helmet rain cover that needs cleaning. It´s made out of Waterproof ripstop nylon and I figured this is the right forum to ask about it because fabrics experts here will know the answer I thought.

the fabric is some kind of ripstop nyon, there´s not more information to be found. the seams are taped.

am I correct assuming it is PU coated because it has taped seems?

I´ve tried cleaning it by hand just with water, but it´s not working. I think there´s some bycicle oil on there.. not sure why but that´s life
If I put it in the washing machine I can destroy the coating, correct?
If I work on it with soap and a sponge I can also destroy the coating, correct?

thanks!

[WillUpnDown]

There are special jacket cleaning soaps that are mostly recommended because of Gortex. Usually a safe option is Dawn or Joy dishwashing soap, and a mild scrub. When birds land in oil slicks they wash them with Dawn (I would've thought baby shampoo) so it's good for a lot of things. Joy dishwashing soap has the distinction of working in salt water. Which I've found to be true, but I didn't do a side by side test with anything else.
Washing machines and dishwashers are pretty aggressive. Dryers seem to be getting worse, maybe is a YKK conspiracy, mine can yank a zipper off of just about anything.
I would just use the sponge side of a kitchen sponge. For oil spill birds I think the method is repeated gentle washing and rinsing. For the oil stain, I'd gently wash and rinse it 2-3 times and ignore any recalcitrant stains. If while you're riding anybody is looking at your helmet cover-- you're wearing the wrong pants.

[TrailSlug]

If dawn doesn't work it's most likely stained for life as you do not want to use anything more abrasive.