How to Wash a Waterproof Jacket

How do you wash a waterproof jacket?

Montane waterproofs are built to shelter you from the harshest conditions. Even though they’ve been engineered from highly protective and trusted technology, wear and tear in the outdoors can take its toll and there comes a time when your favourite waterproof will need some TLC to restore it to its former glory.

Firstly, DWR (Durable Water Repellant) is essential to maintaining your waterproof’s optimum performance and not only allows your jacket to bead up and keep you dry, it will breathe better for longer in challenging conditions. Ultimately, taking the correct care of your waterproof will not only keep you comfortable and dry on the move, it also keeps it in action for longer, so you can enjoy many more years of adventures in your gear.

So, how do you wash a waterproof? We know for many this can seem like a challenge in itself. The good news is washing a waterproof is very simple and we’re on hand to help you follow the right steps. Importantly, we provide care labels on all of our clothing and equipment and recommend you refer to these ahead of your first wash.

For those in need of further guidance, keep scrolling to read our step-by-step guide.

How to wash a waterproof jacket

1. Check the wash care label
First things first, all Montane clothing and equipment comes with instructions on the care labels. Take a look at these and follow this advice.

2. Release all drawcords
It’s now time to prepare your waterproof jacket for washing to prevent any damage. Start by releasing all the drawcords on the jacket.

3. Close all zips
Make sure to remove any items from your pockets and close up any velcro and the centre front zipper. If the hand and/ or chest pockets have a mesh lining, close these too. If they have a waterproof lining (e.g. a Gore-tex® Pro Shell) leave the zips open.

4. Run a service wash cycle
Before your waterproof wash, we recommend running a service cycle (or rinse cycle) on the washing machine you will be using to remove any excess detergent or softeners that could damage your jacket.

5. Use a reputable technical product wash that’s suitable for waterproofs
We recommend using a reputable technical product wash that’s suitable for waterproofs, such as one from Grangers, Nikwax, Storm, or Fibertec. Alternatively use non-biological detergent, and don't use any fabric softeners.

6. Place your waterproof garment in the washing machine
We recommend washing your waterproof garments on their own, without any other items in the drum on this cycle.

7. Wash to care label instructions with an additional rinse cycle.
Be sure to wash according to the care labels on your garment. Typically waterproofs are washed on a low heat (around 30-40 degrees) on a gentle cycle. Following the wash, run an additional rinse cycle to remove any excess detergent from the garment and avoid your jacket from developing any foamy armpits post-wash.

8. How to re-proof a waterproof jacket
To rejuvinate the DWR finish, apply a reputable re-proofing spray, such as one from Grangers, Nikwax, Storm, or Fibertec. Apply whilst the jacket is still damp, and only to the outer side of the garment. You can apply more to higher-wear areas, such as the shoulders of a jacket where a backpack can rub, or the cuffs.

9. Tumble dry on a low heat until dry to reactivate the DWR
Line dry, then tumble dry for 20 minutes on low heat to reactivate the DWR (not all DWR re-proofers require heat, please check the instructions on the bottle).

FAQs

My collar is wetting out, can it be replaced under warranty?

Over the years, we’ve had lots of waterproof jacket collar queries from the Montane community. The collars of jackets, and the inside of your jacket in general, are a common place for contamination, owing to it being a high-contact area next to the skin. Sweat and oils such as sunscreens can cause contamination here and stop it from working at its optimum. To help resolve this issue, we recommend washing your waterproof jacket when necessary, following the care instructions provided. If you still experience issues, please contact us for next steps. Please visit our Warranty page here.

Can I put my waterproof in the tumble drier?

We always recommend checking the DWR re-proofer instructions first. If this indicates you need to tumble dry your garment, this is an important next step to establish an effective treatment as part of waterproof aftercare. When tumble drying make sure this is on a low heat and done in intervals of 20 minutes.