Keep your waterproof jacket functioning longer by following proper care steps. Dirt inhibits its DWR coating, but you can maintain its water repellency.
You should wash your waterproof jacket, and you should do it regularly to maintain its performance. So let's roll up our sleeves and dive into this simple guide to washing your waterproof jacket.
Washing your waterproofs
- Can you wash a waterproof jacket?
- Why you should wash your waterproof jacket
- How do you tell if your waterproof is in need of a wash and reproofing?
- How to wash a waterproof jacket
- Can you put my waterproof jacket in the dryer?
- How often should you wash my waterproof jacket?
Can you wash a waterproof jacket?
Yes you can! In fact, washing a waterproof jacket is an important part of keeping it working at its best. Dirt and oils (including those from your own body) inhibit the action of the DWR. You mustn’t use standard detergent, though. Get your hands on some detergent for waterproof clothing, like Grangers or Nikwax. Then follow our steps below on how to best wash your waterproof jacket.
Why you should wash your waterproof
If you don't regularly wash your jacket it may wet-out, which is where rain doesn't bead up and roll off, but saturates an area of the outer fabric of the jacket. The jacket is still waterproof but areas that have wetted out can't breathe as well so you can feel sweaty after prolonged use.
The chemical finish that jackets are treated with to keep water beading off a jacket has changed. This is better for the environment but it does mean you will have to wash your garment more often.
The outdoor industry is moving away from PFC based durable water repellents (DWRs), which have shown to be persistent (they stick around in the environment for a long time). As technology moves towards more environmentally friendly materials, some of the dirt and oil repellent ability of waterproof garments will decrease. This makes it more vital than ever to keep your waterproof squeaky clean.
When a waterproof garment absorbs oil and dirt (perspiration, detritus from skin, mud, sun screen and so on), this inhibits the ability of the material to breathe. The fabric is saturated, which prevents perspiration from leaving the material. The result is that the inside of the garment feels wet, even though it is still fully waterproof.
The average person will lose between 1 - 2 litres of water an hour through perspiration during exercise. If your garment isn't breathable, all that water will end up inside your clothing unable to get out, because your garment is still waterproof. Ironic, huh?
If you don't feel up to washing your garment yourself try out our down wash and reproofing service.
How do you tell if your waterproof is in need of a reproofing?
Durable Water Repellent (DWR) is the coating on the garment which allows the water to bead off the outer shell preventing the top layer of the jacket becoming waterlogged and diminishing breathability [see above]. DWR is not the main waterproof competent of the garment which is the membrane making up the mid layer of most jackets.
The easiest way to test your DWR is to pour a cup of water on the garment and watch. If the DWR is working effectively, then the water will bead off. If the DWR has degraded then the water will soak into the top layer of the fabric and wet out making the fabric look darker.
You will not need to reproof your garment with every wash. How regularly you will need to reproof your garment will depend on the quality of the DWR coating and the usage of the garment. For light usage, you should expect to reproof your garment 2 - 3 times per year for optimum repellency. If you use the garment for intense exercise (such as hiking, biking, running, climbing) you should expect to reproof much more frequently.
How to wash your waterproof jacket
Before washing
Clean your washing machine - Detergents are a big no-no for reproofing your waterproof! In fact, detergents will attract water to your waterproof, which is the opposite of what we are aiming for. For this reason, we recommend thoroughly cleansing your washing machine with a service wash before cleaning your waterproof. To cleanse your washing machine, clean out the detergent tray, then run your machine on its hottest setting with a towel (or similar) and 500 ml of white vinegar inside.
- Use a soft brush to give your garment a good old clean. Get rid of any loose mud or dirt.
- Close zips and flaps.
- Ensure the detergent compartment of your machine is clean of any detergent.
- (You may also wish to run your washing machine on a hot wash with nothing in it to clear any residues from detergent or softeners).
Washing
- Pour the waterproof washing liquid into the detergent compartment. Read the detergent bottle to see what’s the appropriate dose for your garments and your machine.
- Pop your waterproof garments in the drum. You should only put waterproof clothing in. Don’t put in more than two garments at a time.
- Check the label of your garment for exact care details. Typically, you run through the complete wash and rinse cycle at 30 degrees.
Can I put my waterproof jacket in the dryer?
After washing, you can air dry or tumble dry your garments. Check the care instructions, but you typically should only go for low or medium heat.
Heat treating your garment after washing or reproofing helps the DWR perform better. You could use an iron on your waterproofs to achieve this effect!
How often should I wash my waterproof jacket?
Whenever it gets dirty, basically! We recommend about every three to four months – but it depends on how much you’re using your jacket. If you're not often going out in the wet, twice a year should be enough. You can time it for the start and end of the rainy season!
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