Your waterproof will get dirty just like everything else. Over time this dirt will work its way into all the tiny little holes in the jacket’s membrane. This affects how well your jacket performs and breathes leading to you sweating more and being less comfortable in the jacket. Properly caring and cleaning your waterproof products will greatly increase your time enjoying them in the outdoors.
First of all, do up all the zips of the jacket to make sure nothing gets damaged in the washing machine. Then remove any excess powder from inside the washing machine draw before adding your items to the wash. We recommend using cleaning products from Grangers or Nikwax, all widely available from outdoor stores and some supermarkets. Wash all waterproofs at 30 or 40 degrees. Do not use any kind of fabric softener or bleach.
Should I reproof my waterproof jacket?
The outer fabric of waterproof products features a repellent coating called Durable Water Repellent (DWR), which causes water to bead off and not settle in the outer fabric. In heavy weather or high winds, even when the product is new, the fabric can become overwhelmed and reduce the garment's ability to keep you dry. Additionally, this coating is not permanent and will need regular reapplication, even when the jacket is just stored for a period of time.
Once the jacket is clean, you will need to reapply the DWR (a process called "reproofing"). For better results, tumble dry the jacket once the reproofer is applied, as the heat activates the DWR and makes it more effective.
You can purchase these cleaning and waterproofing products from brands such as Nikwax or Grangers. Please do not use regular washing products to clean your jacket, as these can cause further degrading of the waterproofing.