Also, when cleaning your waterproof jacket, be sure to use a high-quality and reliable cleaning and protection product, such as the British non-damaging cleaning and care brand Storm. Otherwise, each wash will cause some damage to the garment. For waterproof jackets with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish on the surface, this water-repellent function will diminish over time with regular wear. When it rains, the surface of the jacket can become damp, affecting breathability. Therefore, when the water-repellent performance weakens, you should use a DWR treatment to restore its function. No matter how high the quality of the waterproof jacket is, the waterproof and breathable membrane will gradually wear out and age over time. Therefore, in daily use, we need to pay attention to maintenance.
Storage tips: When not in use, your waterproof jacket needs to be stored properly. The way you store a waterproof jacket differs from that of ordinary clothes. You should never fold it, as this can damage the folded areas. The correct method is to hang it on a hanger and then place it in the wardrobe.
Maintenance tips: In addition to mastering the proper methods for cleaning, drying, and storing your waterproof jacket, you also need to regularly spray it with a DWR treatment. This helps maintain the jacket’s waterproofing ability. As you may know, after using a waterproof jacket for some time, its various performance metrics—especially its waterproof capability—will decline. Regularly applying a DWR treatment during routine maintenance can significantly improve the jacket’s water resistance.
Precautions: Although waterproof jackets are more durable than other types of clothing, there are still some things to watch out for. For instance, try to avoid scraping or abrasion from sitting or lying on it, keep it away from open flames, and be careful with smoking, etc.
That’s all for now on cleaning your waterproof jacket. Stay tuned, as I’ll be sharing more outdoor gear knowledge with you in the future.