How to Clean, Wash & Care for Waterproof Outdoor Clothing

Your ski jacket, snowboard trousers or waterproof hiking shell works hard to keep you dry and comfortable, from snowy days on the mountain to wet and muddy hiking trails. Regular cleaning and care can help maintain its waterproofing, breathability and performance, while repairing your kit instead of replacing it can help extend its life.

Whether you're preparing your ski gear for a new season, cleaning your snowboard kit after a trip or looking after your favourite hiking jacket, here's how to keep your waterproof clothing performing at its best.

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What is DWR?

DWR stands for Durable Water Repellent. It's a treatment applied to the outer fabric of many waterproof and technical garments that helps water bead up and roll off rather than soak into the fabric.

DWR isn't the same as the waterproof membrane inside your jacket. Technologies such as GORE-TEX provide waterproof protection, while the DWR helps the outer fabric shed water and prevents it becoming saturated.

Dirt, sweat, sunscreen, oils and general wear can reduce the effectiveness of DWR over time. The good news is that a jacket that has stopped beading doesn't necessarily need replacing. Cleaning can help revive existing water repellency, while a specialist reproofing treatment can restore the DWR when it has worn away.

How Often Should You Wash Waterproof Clothing?

There's no set schedule for washing waterproof clothing. It depends on how often you use it and how dirty it gets.

Clean your ski, snowboard or hiking clothing when:
Dirt or mud has built up on the fabric.
Your jacket or trousers have started to smell.
Sweat, sunscreen or oils have accumulated around the collar and cuffs.
Water has stopped beading on the outer fabric.
Your clothing feels less breathable than usual.
You've finished a particularly busy season or trip.

Don't wait until your waterproofs are filthy. Regular cleaning helps remove the dirt and oils that can affect the performance of technical fabrics.

How to Wash a Waterproof Jacket

Most waterproof jackets and trousers can be machine washed, but always check the garment's care label first and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Step-by-step waterproof clothing cleaning

Check the care label. Follow the recommended washing and drying instructions.
Empty the pockets and remove detachable parts where appropriate.
Close zips and fastenings before washing.
Brush off loose dirt and mud.
Use a specialist technical cleaner rather than standard laundry detergent.
Wash at the recommended temperature and don't overload the machine.
Dry according to the care label.

Grangers offers specialist cleaners designed for technical outdoor clothing, making them a great option for looking after your ski, snowboard and hiking kit.

Can you use normal washing powder on waterproof clothing?

It's best to avoid standard laundry detergent when washing technical waterproof clothing. Instead, use a cleaner specifically designed for outdoor fabrics, such as Grangers Performance Wash.

Specialist cleaners are designed to remove dirt, sweat and other residues while helping maintain the performance of technical fabrics and existing water repellency.

How to Restore DWR on a Waterproof Jacket

If water is soaking into the outer fabric instead of forming droplets, your DWR may need some attention.

Always clean your jacket before reproofing it. Dirt and residue can affect water repellency, so start with a specialist cleaner. Once the garment is clean, test it again by sprinkling water onto the outer fabric.

If the water still isn't beading, it's time to reproof.

Wash-in waterproofing treatments

Wash-in treatments are added to your washing machine and apply water-repellent protection to the garment during the wash cycle.

Grangers Clothing Repel is a wash-in waterproofing treatment designed for waterproof, windproof and soft-shell clothing.

Spray-on waterproofing treatments

Spray-on treatments allow you to apply DWR directly to the outside of your garment. They're particularly useful for areas that experience more wear, such as shoulders under backpack straps, cuffs and other high-abrasion areas.

Grangers Performance Repel Plus is a spray-on treatment designed to restore water repellency to technical fabrics.

Can you clean and waterproof clothing at the same time?

Yes. If you want to clean and reproof your clothing in one wash, a 2-in-1 treatment can make the process easier.

Grangers Wash + Repel Clothing 2 in 1 cleans outdoor clothing while adding durable water repellency, making it a handy option before a ski trip, after a season on the mountain or when your hiking kit needs a refresh.

How to Clean Ski, Snowboard & Hiking Clothing

Ski and snowboard clothing can collect snow, mud, sweat, sunscreen and general grime during a season, while hiking jackets and trousers can pick up plenty of dirt and mud on the trails.

Ski and snowboard jackets

Pay particular attention to high-use areas such as the collar, cuffs, shoulders and upper back. Backpack straps and regular contact with ski lifts can also contribute to wear and reduce DWR over time.

Ski and snowboard trousers

Clean and check areas that experience plenty of contact and abrasion, including the seat, knees, cuffs and areas around your ski or snowboard boots.

Hiking jackets and waterproofs

Mud, sweat, sunscreen and rain can all affect your waterproof clothing. Brush off loose mud before washing and give your jacket a proper clean after particularly wet or muddy adventures.

For footwear and other outdoor equipment, Grangers also offers specialist cleaning products to help keep your kit in good condition.

Explore our range of Clean & Waterproof Outdoor Clothing treatments for cleaning, waterproofing and caring for your outdoor gear.

How to Care for Waterproof Clothing

Cleaning is only part of keeping your outdoor clothing in good condition. A few simple habits can help extend its life.

Dry your kit properly

Don't leave a damp ski jacket or waterproof shell screwed up in your kit bag. Hang it somewhere well ventilated and allow it to dry completely before storing it.

Check your DWR

After cleaning, sprinkle some water onto the outer fabric. If it beads up and rolls away, your DWR is still working. If the fabric absorbs the water, it may be time to reproof.

Check for damage

Look for small tears, damaged seams, worn cuffs and other problems. Repairing minor damage early can help prevent it becoming a bigger issue.

Store your waterproofs correctly

At the end of the ski, snowboard or hiking season, clean and completely dry your clothing before storing it somewhere cool, dry and well ventilated. Avoid keeping technical waterproofs compressed for long periods where possible.

Waterproof Clothing Care Checklist

Clean: Remove dirt, sweat, sunscreen and grime with a specialist technical cleaner.

Check: Test whether water still beads on the outer fabric.

Reproof: Restore the DWR with a wash-in or spray-on treatment if water is soaking into the fabric.

Repair: Fix small tears, damaged seams and worn areas before they get worse.

Dry: Make sure your waterproof clothing is completely dry before storing it.

Store: Keep clean, dry kit somewhere cool and dry until your next adventure.

Shop Waterproof Clothing Cleaning & Care Treatments

Looking after your outdoor clothing doesn't have to be complicated. The right cleaner and waterproofing treatment can help your ski, snowboard and hiking kit stay comfortable and perform at its best for longer.

Explore our range of cleaning, waterproofing and repair treatments for outdoor clothing, including specialist care from Grangers.

Give your kit the TLC it deserves and get more adventures out of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you wash a waterproof jacket?

Check the care label, then wash your waterproof jacket using a specialist technical cleaner rather than standard laundry detergent. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for temperature, washing cycle and drying.

Can you put a waterproof jacket in the washing machine?

Most waterproof jackets can be machine washed, but always check the care label first. Use a specialist cleaner designed for technical outdoor fabrics.

How do you restore the DWR on a waterproof jacket?

First clean the jacket with a specialist technical cleaner. If water still doesn't bead on the outer fabric, apply a suitable DWR treatment, such as a wash-in or spray-on proofer.

How often should you reproof a waterproof jacket?

There's no fixed schedule. Reproof your jacket when water stops beading on the outer fabric after cleaning or when the DWR has noticeably worn away. Ski, snowboard and hiking clothing that sees heavy use may need more frequent care.

Can I use Grangers on GORE-TEX?

Grangers offers specialist cleaning and waterproofing products designed for technical waterproof fabrics. Always check the individual product instructions and your garment's care label before use.

What's the best cleaner for waterproof clothing?

Use a specialist technical cleaner designed for waterproof and breathable fabrics rather than standard laundry detergent. Grangers offers specialist cleaners for outdoor and technical garments.

Can I wash and waterproof my jacket at the same time?

Yes. A 2-in-1 product such as Grangers Wash + Repel Clothing 2 in 1 cleans your clothing and adds durable water repellency during the same wash cycle.

How do I know if my waterproof jacket needs reproofing?

Sprinkle some water onto the outside of the clean garment. If it beads up and rolls away, the DWR is still working. If the water spreads across the fabric and soaks in, it may be time to reproof.