How to wash your waterproof item
Waterproof clothing needs a good clean every now and then. Dirt, sweat and oils from your skin and the environment build up on the fabric over time, affecting its breathability. Regular use can also wear down the waterproof coating on the outside, making it harder for water to bead on the fabric.
There is however a balance to be found between this damage and the damage caused by washing your item too often. Waterproofs are delicate creatures, but with the right care can have a long life keeping you dry in the elements!
Does your item need a wash?
If you're not sure, check these areas:
Neckline
Armpits
Cuffs – hold the cuff against a cleaner part of the jacket and compare the colour.
If you can see any discolouration or general grime, it's probably time for a wash!
What you'll need
You'll need a good-quality technical wash and re-proofer designed specifically for waterproof clothing.
Don't use normal household detergent. These detergents can damage or strip the water-repellent coating and may also affect the item's breathability.
There are several good options available, but we recommend Grangers Performance Wash and Clothing Repel for cleaning and re-proofing our kit.
Once you've got everything you need, follow these steps for the best results.
Step 1: prepare your item & washing machine
Before you start, it's important to make sure both your washing machine and your item are ready to go.
Clean your washing machine:
Run one or two cycles with no detergent, and rinse out the detergent drawer thoroughly. This helps make sure there is no leftover household detergent that could harm your waterproof clothing.
Prepare your item:
Check for any damage and have repairs carried out before washing.
Close all zips.
Loosen any tight drawcords around the hood, waist or cuffs.
Loosen any Velcro straps.
Don’t forget to check your pockets!
Step 2: Wash your item
Place your item in the washing machine. We recommend washing and re-proofing one item at a time.
Follow the washing instructions on both the garment care label and your technical wash product. These instructions are important, as the wrong temperature or cycle could damage your item (and negate certain warranties).
Using a 2-in-1 wash and re-proofer? Great! You can skip straight to Step 3
If you're using a separate re-proofer, run the wash cycle first. Once it has finished, add the re-proofer and run the recommended cycle, following the instructions on the product and garment care label.
Step 3: Activate the re-proofer
This is an important part of the re-proofing process. Warmth activates the water-repellent treatment, so your garment will need some heat once the washing process is complete.
The easiest way to do this is in a tumble dryer on a low setting.
Always check your garment's care instructions first. Too much heat can cause materials to melt, seam sealing to come away, or the waterproof coating to degrade or disappear completely.
If Hand Washing
Prefer to hand wash? No problem! Follow the preparation and product guidance in our machine-washing guide above, including checking your garment's care label and using a specialist technical wash rather than household detergent.
Fill a clean bath, sink or large container with cool or lukewarm water, following the temperature on your garment's care label, and add the recommended amount of technical wash.
Gently work the water through the whole garment, paying particular attention to areas such as the neckline, armpits and cuffs.
Once clean, drain the water and rinse thoroughly with clean water until there are no traces of the cleaning product left.
Then finally, follow the drying instructions above :)
Don't have a tumble dryer?
No worries! Hang your item up to dry until it’s almost dry. Then place a clean tea towel or similar cloth over the garment as a protective barrier.
Using an iron on a low to medium setting, gently apply heat to the garment to activate the re-proofer. Always check the garment's care label first and take care not to apply too much heat.
Your item should now be clean and extra waterproof. Happy adventuring!
P.S.
If you’re unsure about doing this yourself, there are plenty of wash and reproof services out there to choose from. A note that some of the following companies only accept their own brands. Here are a few wash and reproofing providers we recommend: