How to Wash Your Waterproof Jacket: The Ultimate Guide to Restoring DWR

We all know that feeling when you’re out hiking or skiing and your trusty waterproof jacket starts to fail you. Instead of rainwater beading up and rolling off like pearls, it starts soaking in, making the face fabric heavy, dark, and clammy—a phenomenon affectionately known as “wetting out”.

If this is happening, don’t panic and definitely don’t toss that jacket! The main function of outerwear made of laminated materials is protection against adverse weather factors, such as precipitation. The waterproofing of your jacket relies on two things: the internal, waterproof/breathable membrane, and the external Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish. Regular washing isn’t the enemy; in fact, it’s absolutely essential for maintaining the performance and extending the lifespan of your gear.

Dirt, grime, body oils, and sweat salts are constantly working against you by clogging the microscopic pores of your jacket’s membrane, which stops the breathability,. Washing your jacket properly restores the garment’s functionality, sometimes simply by cleaning off these contaminants and reactivating the existing DWR.

Here is your comprehensive, step-by-step guide to washing and caring for your technical outerwear.

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1. Prep Your Gear: The Critical Pre-Wash Ritual

Before you toss your jacket in the machine, a little prep goes a long way to preventing damage and guaranteeing a proper clean.

• Check the Care Label First: The manufacturer’s care label takes precedence over all other instructions,,. Pay attention to recommended washing methods (machine vs. hand), water temperature, and drying techniques.
• Secure All Closures: Fully zip up the main zipper, pocket zippers, and pit zips,,. Secure all hook-and-loop fasteners (Velcro) on cuffs or flaps to prevent them from snagging on the fabric, which can cause abrasion or pilling.
• Loosen Up: Release tension on all elastic drawcords on the hood and hem,.
• Brush Off Debris: Gently remove any loose particles, dried mud, or visible dirt from the surface before washing,. For tough spots (like collar stains), consider spot-treating them with a specialized tech wash beforehand.

The Chemical Detox: Cleaning Your Washing Machine

This step is arguably the most important outside of using the right detergent! Standard laundry powders and fabric softeners contain surfactants, which are chemicals designed to reduce the surface tension of water—the exact opposite of what DWR is supposed to do. Residual traces of these chemicals lurking in your machine can immediately neutralize your jacket’s DWR.

• Run a Pre-Rinse Cycle: Run the empty washing machine through a quick rinse cycle, or a short, hot wash, before adding your jacket,,. This flushes out leftover detergent and softener.
• Clean the Dispenser: If your detergent drawer is removable, take it out and clean off any accumulated residue.

2. Choosing Your Detergent: Specialist is Key!

When it comes to waterproof gear, forget your usual supermarket laundry detergent.

What to Avoid (The Big No-Nos)

• Ordinary Detergents/Powders: These strip away waterproofing properties and leave behind residues that clog the membrane pores and attract dirt,,,. Powder detergents, in particular, carry a high risk of leaving residue.
• Fabric Softeners and Bleach: These strong chemicals are strictly prohibited as they break down the DWR coating, damage the waterproof membrane, and degrade materials over time.

What to Use

You must use a specialist liquid cleaner specifically formulated for technical or waterproof fabrics,,. These gentle formulas, such as Grangers Performance Wash or Nikwax Tech Wash, are designed to clean the fabric without compromising the DWR coating.

Pro Tip: Wash waterproof items separately or restrict the load to a maximum of one or two garments to ensure adequate cleaning and rinsing efficiency.

3. Washing Protocols: Machine vs. Hand

You can wash your jacket by hand or machine, but you must adhere to gentle handling regardless of the method.

Machine Washing

1. Set the Cycle: Use the Gentle, Delicate, or Hand Wash cycle.
2. Set the Temperature: Use warm water (up to 40°C or 105°F), or cold water (30°C), adhering to your care label,,. Warm water is often recommended as it is better at emulsifying and lifting body oils and dirt, which is crucial for DWR revival.
3. Detergent Dose: Add a small amount of the liquid technical detergent to the dispenser, following the product’s dosage instructions.
4. Spin Management: Minimize or skip the spin cycle, or use a very slow spin (400 RPM or lower), to protect the internal seams and delicate membrane from mechanical stress or delamination.
5. Rinse Twice: Run a second rinse cycle to guarantee all soap residue is completely removed.

Hand Washing

1. Fill a basin or sink with cold or lukewarm water and add the specialized liquid detergent.
2. Submerge the jacket fully and gently agitate the water. You may soak the garment for 5 to 30 minutes if needed.
3. Gently rub any soiled areas by hand to lift away embedded dirt.
4. Rinse thoroughly under clean, running water until all soap residue is eliminated.
5. Gently squeeze out excess water, but avoid wringing or twisting the fabric, as this can damage the internal membrane structure.

Table I: Optimal Washing Settings for Waterproof Apparel

4. Drying and DWR Reactivation: The Thermal Imperative

The drying phase is where the magic happens! Heat application is mandatory to “wake up” or thermally reset the DWR polymer chains on the fabric surface, restoring the high surface tension needed for effective water beading.

Tumble Drying

This is the most effective method, provided your care label allows it (check first, as some manufacturers like Columbia advise caution or against tumble drying specific rain jackets).

1. Dry Gentle: Tumble dry on a low or warm, gentle cycle,,. Do not use high heat as this can melt seam seals or damage the membrane.
2. Heat Boost: Once the garment is dry, tumble dry for an additional 20 minutes to reactivate the DWR treatment,,. You can do this step anytime you notice the water repellency needs a boost.

Warm Iron Alternative

If you don’t have a dryer or the care label advises against it, you can use an iron (if permitted).

1. Gentle Ironing: Set the iron to a warm/gentle setting (low heat), and critically, ensure the steam function is turned OFF,,. Steam can negatively affect the DWR coating.
2. Use a Barrier: Always place a clean towel or cloth between the soleplate of the iron and the technical fabric to prevent scorching.

Air Drying

If heat activation via a dryer or iron is prohibited, line dry the garment in a well-ventilated area,. Avoid direct sunlight or placing the jacket on localized heat sources like radiators, as intense heat can damage the fabric structure or DWR coating.

5. When It’s Time for a Boost: Reproofing DWR

If cleaning and thermal reactivation don’t restore the water-beading effect, the original DWR is worn out and needs chemical reapplying,. This typically happens after 5 to 6 proper washes.

Choosing a Reproofing Product

Reproofing products come in two main forms: wash-in and spray-on,,.

Note on Wash-In: Some manufacturers, like ORTOVOX, caution against wash-in products because they can coat the inside of the item and prevent them from absorbing moisture. For high-performance, breathable shells, spray-on is often preferred.

Application Steps

1. Clean First: The jacket must be thoroughly cleaned beforehand to ensure the new DWR bonds effectively.
2. Apply the Product: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully,.
   • For Wash-In: Add the product to the washing machine dispenser (no detergent this time) and run the recommended gentle cycle.
   • For Spray-On: Apply evenly to the entire outer surface while the jacket is damp or dry, focusing on high-wear areas like cuffs and collars.
3. Activate with Heat: Regardless of the product used, thermal curing is critical. Tumble dry on low heat or iron warm (no steam) immediately afterward to set and bond the new DWR treatment to the fabric fibers, maximizing durability.

6. Beyond the Wash: Chemical Notes and Longevity

The Environmental Context (PFAS)

You might see terms like PFCs, PFOAs, and C8/C6 chemistry mentioned in relation to DWR. Historically, DWR relied on fluorocarbons (PFAS), which are highly effective but are known as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence and toxicity in the environment,,. Research shows that the aging, washing, and use of garments coated with fluorinated DWR actively contribute to the release of PFAS compounds.

In response, many manufacturers are phasing out intentionally added PFAS and moving toward C0 (fluorocarbon-free) alternatives,,. While these modern, safer alternatives may require more frequent maintenance, it is an ethical and environmental choice.

Care for Specialty Garments

• GORE-TEX SHAKEDRY™: These items are an exception! They have no textile outer layer; the persistent beading surface is the membrane,. Do not dry clean, tumble dry, iron, or apply DWR treatments to these garments.
• Down-Insulated Waterproof Shells: If your jacket is stuffed with down, do not dry clean—the solvents will strip the natural oils from the down, destroying its loft. Machine wash in cold water (preferably using a down-specific cleaner) and tumble dry on low heat, adding two or three clean tennis balls to help restore fluffiness and ensure even drying.

Storage Tips

• Always ensure your outerwear is completely clean and dry before storage to prevent mold or mildew growth.
• Store it in a cool, dry, dust-free place away from direct sunlight, as UV exposure can weaken the fabric and DWR.
• Hang the garment on a sturdy hanger whenever possible to avoid deep creases that could weaken the fabric or seam seals.

Conclusion: Don’t Fear the Wash!

The performance of your technical jacket is directly tied to the diligence of your maintenance routine. The sources indicate that deterioration during maintenance depends on the type of detergent and the number of wash cycles, and comparative studies show that significant deterioration of hydrophobic properties can occur after only five wash cycles, suggesting that proper product choice is paramount.

By adopting specialized cleaning products, executing a machine detox, and prioritizing the thermal activation step, you can confidently restore your jacket’s DWR, ensuring that your expensive outdoor gear continues to provide reliable protection and breathability for years to come,.

Happy, dry walking!