When you first buy a shiny, new waterproof jacket or pair of trousers, you enjoy the sight of water droplets beading up and rolling off the fabric. This gives you confidence that you’ll stay cosy and dry no matter what the weather throws at you. However, over time, dirt, body oils, and sweat can degrade the Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish on the outer fabric. As a result, some areas of your garment may start to "wet out," meaning that rain droplets no longer bead up and roll off as they used to.
My Paramo jacket, which I wear in winter, needs a thorough cleaning and likely some re-proofing. You can see that it has started to "wet out."
Does this mean your favorite jacket or trousers are no longer useful? Not at all! This issue can be fixed with proper cleaning and, if needed, re-proofing.
So, can you just use your regular laundry detergent? No, you shouldn't. Regular laundry detergents can damage the jacket’s waterproof coating. They are more aggressive than the detergents made specifically for waterproof gear. Be sure to use products designed for cleaning waterproof clothing.
Washing and re-proofing products for outdoor gear
There are many well-established brands that I've used over the years for cleaning and re-proofing garments. In this blog post, I'll guide you through the step-by-step process of cleaning and re-proofing your clothes using a lesser-known brand: Storm Care. You can find their products here.
We’re always on the lookout for innovative brands that truly benefit our customers.
So, what sets Storm Care apart from others? Unlike other brands, Storm Care offers a Clothing Wash and a Proofer that can be used in the same wash cycle. This unique feature saves time, water, and energy by allowing you to run your washing machine only once. It also offers environmental benefits.
Additionally, if you live in a hard water area (you might notice mineral buildup in your kettle), Storm Care’s products don’t require extra amounts to be effective. Their Eco range comes in aluminium bottles, which are recycled eight times more than plastic bottles, according to Storm. These impressive credentials are why we’re excited about their products.
There are many benefits to the Storm range of eco cleaners and proofers.
Step by Step Guide
This can be used for any product in the market place, but if not using Storm Care products, you will need to carry out an additional step if you are reproofing the garment as well. I will point this out at the appropriate time.
Step 1 - Preparation
First, thoroughly clean the detergent and fabric conditioner trays in your washing machine. Next, run a quick wash cycle with just water to ensure all detergent and fabric conditioner residues are removed. I usually set my machine to the Express cycle, which takes 30 minutes.
Run a short wash cycle to clean the detergent trays and remove any traces of laundry detergent before starting the main wash. While this cycle is running, check the care labels on each garment for special instructions and the recommended wash temperature, which is usually between 30°C and 40°C. Before washing, close all zippers and fasten cuffs to prevent them from rubbing against the fabric. For particularly dirty areas, such as cuffs and near the main zipper, apply some undiluted cleaner before placing the garments in the washing machine.
Step 2 - Cleaning and Proofing
After the short or Express cycle finishes, add the Clothing Wash to the detergent tray. If you're using Storm Care products and need to re-proof your garment, add the Proofer to the fabric conditioner tray at the same time. For other products, you will need to run the wash cycle first, then add the Proofer, run the wash cycle again, and wait an extra hour or so to complete the process. This is one of the benefits of Storm Care! Do not add the Proofer at this stage if you're using a different brand.
For Storm Care, use 75ml of Clothing Wash and 75ml of Proofer per garment, placing them in the appropriate trays in your washing machine. For other products, check the label for the correct amount, and if you have hard water, follow the label instructions for additional quantities (this is not necessary with Storm Care).
Set the washing machine to the temperature recommended for your garment, and consider reducing the spin speed to 1000 rpm to minimize creasing.
After the wash cycle is complete, hang the garment for about 20 minutes to remove excess water. This will make the tumble dryer more efficient if you use one.
Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Place the garments into the washing machine, and if you're using Storm products, measure out the Clothing Wash and Proofer at the same time. Set your washing machine (I use a Miele) according to the recommended settings. After the wash cycle is complete, hang the garments to dry for 20 minutes.
If you're using other products that require re-proofing, leave the garments in the washing machine after the initial wash cycle, add the Proofer, and run the wash cycle again.
How do I know whether I need to add Proofer?
If water droplets are still beading up on your clothing and there are no areas where the fabric is soaking through (wetting out), but the garment is dirty, you likely just need to clean it. Cleaning will remove dirt and oils, which can clog the fabric’s pores and reduce breathability. If the garment is showing signs of 'wetting out' in several areas, as seen in the photo of my Paramo jacket above, you should re-proof it to restore its Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment.
Step 3 - Place the garment(s) in the tumble dryer
A tumble dryer not only dries your outdoor clothing but also helps reactivate the Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment through heat. Before using the dryer, check the care label for the appropriate settings. Our tumble dryer has an "Active Wear" setting, which we use for outdoor clothing. Generally, medium-low heat is suitable for most items. Running the dryer on the Active Wear setting for about 30 minutes usually works, though it might take longer depending on your dryer.
Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Place the garments into the tumble dryer, select the appropriate settings, and remove them once they are dry. Hang up your clean, dry, and revitalized outdoor clothing. After washing and re-proofing, you'll see water droplets beading off your Marmot jacket, as shown.
Step 4 - Get outside!
Now the most important step - get out and enjoy the great outdoors with your revitalised clothing!
Notes for Guidance
No Washing Machine: Many products can be used for hand washing. For Storm Care products, fill a bath with up to 50 liters of tepid water (just enough to cover the garments). Add the recommended amount of product, agitate for a few minutes, and then rinse the garments several times with clean water. Apply a Proofer if needed.
No Tumble Dryer: Many products require heat to reactivate the DWR treatment. If you don’t have a tumble dryer, you can use an iron to provide heat. Place a tea towel between the iron and the fabric to avoid melting the garment. Always check the care label or the manufacturer’s website for specific instructions.
Do's and Don'ts
❌ Don’t use ordinary laundry detergent
❌ Don’t use fabric conditioner
❌ Don't dry clean
❌ Don’t use solvents or bleach
✅ Do use specially formulated cleaning and proofing products such as Storm
The guidance provided above is based on information from product labels, manufacturer websites, and general internet sources. For the best results, always check your garment’s care labels, manufacturer product labels, and appliance instructions, as they may differ from the advice in this blog post. We are not responsible for any damage to your outdoor clothing.