How To Wash Your Waterproof Jacket
Why Is It Important to Wash Your Waterproof Jacket?
Dirt, body oil, sunscreen, smoke and food smears can all degrade durable water repellent (DWR) performance. Thankfully, rain jacket waterproofing is nothing a little care can’t fix.
Washing your waterproof clothing with a mild detergent made for technical gear (often called “waterproof wash” or “waterproof washing detergent”) and drying it on low heat removes oils and other contaminants that affect performance and prevent the materials from breaking down prematurely. It also helps prolong the life of your gear so you can keep using it for years of soggy, sweaty conditions to come. Please avoid using softeners, as they could compromise the waterproof features of the jacket.
Do Different Shells Require Different Care?
All waterproof, breathable shell jackets—regardless of construction (2L, 2.5L, 3L), membrane type (monolithic, microporous, hydrophilic, hydrophobic), material provider (GORE-TEX), or chemistry (fluorinated, non-fluorinated)—requires the same simple wash and care. It’s true of your jacket from 15 years ago as much as your new jacket.
One exception is naturally water-repellent gear, like a waxed cotton jacket. To preserve its function and longevity, spot-clean only as needed. Never put waxed cotton in the wash or dryer, and never iron or steam it. In short; wax, don’t wash.
How to Clean a Waterproof Jacket: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step #1: Wipe Away Dirt & Debris
Look over your rain jacket and wipe away as much dirt and debris as possible. A soft bristle brush will help.
Step #2: Prepare Your Waterproof Jacket
Fasten the main zip and empty pockets of any rubbish, wrappers, treasures or leftover tissues. We recommend keeping smaller inner and outer pockets unzipped because the insides can get grimy.
Step #3: Put Your Rain Jacket in the Washing Machine
Place your waterproof jacket in the machine, preferably a front-loading washer instead of a top-loading machine. If you don’t have a washing machine, hand washing is a great alternative. Fill a bowl with cold or lukewarm water and use a mild, hypoallergenic liquid waterproof laundry detergent. Dip your jacket in the water, stir gently by hand and leave to soak for about 10-15 minutes.
Step #4: Add Waterproof Laundry Detergent
Use a mild detergent, preferably one designed for waterproof clothing. These detergents for waterproof clothing help maintain the function and durability of technical outerwear. We recommend pH-neutral Storm Clothing Wash, which provides waterproofing for coats and helps improve water repellency and restore breathability.
Step #5: Adjust Washing Machine Settings
Set your machine to a regular cycle at 30 degrees Celsius. Once washed, run an extra spin cycle to remove excess water and ensure that there’s no detergent left over. If in doubt, always follow the wash care instructions on the label of your waterproof jacket.
Step #6: Tumble Dry on Low Heat
Heat is critical to reactivating your waterproof clothing’s water-repellent properties. When you need to re-waterproof a coat, putting it in the dryer is the best way to do that. Dry on low heat for at least half an hour or until it’s fully dry and warm. (Steaming can break down DWR, so embrace some wrinkles.)
If you don’t have access to a dryer, an iron is one of the best alternatives to drying your waterproof rain coat. Let your jacket fully air-dry and set your iron to low (either the 1 or 2 setting should be low enough) without steam. Place a thin, dry cloth or towel between the garment and iron and iron away.