Depending on how old your jacket is — and how often you use it — you may need to restore the water-repellent treatment on the outside of the fabric. Luckily, there's an easy fix.
Hang on, why do I need to maintain the Durable Water Repellency?
Your rain jacket's waterproofing can diminish in performance due to factors like dirt, sweat, abrasion and constant use. Usually, the DWR treatment will encourage water to bead up and roll off the surface of your garments. But as the treatment begins to fade, the fabric will start to absorb water instead. The good news is, restoring the DWR is just a matter of washing and drying your jacket properly!
Our step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Prepare the jacket.
- First and foremost - check the care label. The golden rule is to never give your jacket to the dry cleaners, as they use harsh solvents that will damage your gear.
- Clean any big, obvious stains with a damp cloth.
- Close all zips and secure any velcro, then turn the jacket inside out.
Step 2: Wash the jacket.
- Put it in a standard wash with ideally 30°C water, or cold water if your machine doesn't have that option. Do not use fabric softener.
Step 3: Add water repellent.
- After washing your waterproof jacket, use a specialised product like Granger’s Performance Repel. Spray directly on the damp garment from a distance of 10–15 centimetres.
- Wait for two minutes, and wipe away any excess with a clean cloth.
Step 4: Dry the jacket.
- Depending on the advice on your care label, your garment can either air dry or tumble dry. Follow the instructions for the best results.