Waterproof clothing is essential for all outdoor activities. Here is our expert guide to maintaining water-repellent and waterproof jackets, trousers, and gloves. Properly cared-for gear delivers superior weather protection and lasts far longer.
Before washing
Wash all your waterproof garments together (softshell or hardshell membrane jackets).
Before washing, close all fastenings: front zip, pockets, and underarm vents. Secure all flaps and straps as well.
Another crucial detail: if parts of your jacket feature magnetic closures (like Cimalp Storm Pro and Advanced models), place the jacket in a wash bag to prevent magnets from sticking to the washing drum and getting damaged.
Washing waterproof garments
Use a small amount of liquid detergent, specifically a technical garment cleaner (avoid standard supermarket detergents that degrade technical membranes).
Machine wash at 30°C.
Rinse twice and select a gentle spin cycle.
Never use powder detergent, fabric softener, stain remover, or bleach.
Do not wash your technical gear with heavily soiled clothes.
Drying
Line dry your garment outdoors (away from direct sunlight) or tumble dry on a gentle, low-heat cycle. Never dry at high temperatures.
Once dry, tumble dry your garment for an extra 20 minutes to reactivate the durable water-repellent (DWR) treatment.
If you do not have a tumble dryer, you can use an iron. Iron on a gentle setting without steam.
Place a towel or cloth between the iron and the garment to protect the fabric.
Move on to this step whenever you notice water repellency starting to fade.
Caring for waterproof garments: reactivating water repellency!
If water no longer beads up and runs off the fabric after washing, you need to reapply the durable water-repellent (DWR) coating.
To reproof a garment, use your chosen DWR product: wash-in treatment or spray-on applicator.
After application, tumble dry for 20 minutes to heat-activate the DWR treatment.
Alternatively, iron the garment once dry on a delicate setting (low heat, no steam), placing a towel or cloth between the iron and fabric.
