You’ve invested in a quality waterproof jacket. While it will keep you snug and covered from wet weather in the meantime, there are plenty of things you can do to prolong its life.

A huge factor in this is washing. Just washing your waterproof jacket with the rest of your clothes can potentially damage the fabric, and you may find yourself getting soaked through on your adventures.

To combat this, we’ll talk you through how to wash waterproof jackets properly and how to get the most out of them for as long as possible.

How To Clean Waterproof Jackets: Step By Step Guide

Whether a muddy puppy has jumped up to say hello or you’ve fallen victim to some slippery surfaces out on a walk, dirty clothes happen to all of us. So, if you’re wondering how to get stains out of waterproof jackets, simply follow these steps below:

1. Prepare the jacket before washing: The best thing you can do before washing a waterproof jacket in your washing machine is to get the worst off as soon as possible. To do this, take a soft-bristled brush or a microfibre cloth, dip it in warm water, squeeze out any excess water, and then gently rub the fabric to remove any mud or stains. A little bit of the cleaning liquid can be used on particularly stubborn marks.
2. Check the jacket: Before placing it in the washing machine, check the pockets for valuables and remove any old tissues or rubbish. Once done, make sure to zip everything up and close any flaps.
3. Clean the washing machine: If you’ve just done a regular wash, it may be worth running an empty load on a hot wash to get rid of any residual detergent or fabric conditioner, as this could affect the quality of the garment.
4. Wash the waterproof jackets: Now it’s time to get washing! Try to stick to no more than two waterproof items in the wash, and never wash with any other regular clothes. Add the specialist waterproof detergent where appropriate and run on a gentle program on a setting no hotter than 30°C. Once finished, you can try a slower spin setting to get rid of any excess water.
5. Dry the jacket: Always check the care label, but tumble drying on low is the safest method. The heat activates both the original coating and the reproofed layer, allowing it to perform better for longer.

What to do After Washing a Waterproof Jacket

When your jacket has been washed several times or is starting to lose some of its water resistance, it’s not the end. You can buy re-proofing sprays that easily prolong the life of your trusty waterproofs, keeping you warm and dry on many more adventures to come.

Now you know how to wash waterproof jackets the correct way, why don’t you give your own a new lease of life? Or, if you think it’s finally time to invest in something new, check out our collection at Craghoppers.