Gore-tex Care and Cleaning, by Mowser on YouTube. 12 min 45 s.
- Video length
- 12 min 45 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour plus drying
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Clean the jacket when water stops beading on the surface or when dirt and sweat are visible. A dirty shell can wet out and feel clammy.
Empty all pockets, close the main zip, pit zips and flaps, fasten Velcro, and loosen hood and cuff adjusters before washing.
Brush off loose mud and grit with a soft brush. Pre-treat oily marks with a little technical cleaner or a damp cloth.
Wash in a front-loading machine on a warm gentle cycle, about 30°C, using a technical fabric cleaner. Do not use fabric softener, bleach or ordinary detergent.
Add an extra rinse if your machine allows it. Never wring or twist the jacket, because that can stress the membrane and seams.
Tumble dry on low or medium heat for about 20 to 30 minutes to reactivate the DWR. Check that water beads on the cooled fabric.
If water still soaks in, spray a spray-on DWR evenly over the clean, damp jacket, or use a wash-in DWR as the product label directs.
Tumble dry the jacket again on low heat if the DWR label allows it. This heat helps the coating bond and work properly.
Patch small tears and worn spots with a Gore-Tex patch or Tenacious Tape before the next trip. Follow the patch instructions and press it firmly.
Tips and common mistakes
Never use fabric softener, bleach or ordinary laundry detergent because they leave residues that reduce breathability and water repellency.
Wash the jacket on its own or with other technical clothing, not with cotton towels or jeans.
Apply spray-on DWR outdoors or in a well-ventilated room and follow the label.
A jacket that still wets out after washing and drying may need a fresh DWR coating, not more detergent.
Questions
How often should I clean a Gore-Tex jacket?
Clean it when the fabric looks dirty or water stops beading, which is often after a few weeks of regular use. Do not wait until the membrane is clogged with dirt and sweat.
Can I use normal laundry detergent?
No. Use a technical fabric cleaner made for waterproof shells. Normal detergent can leave residues that harm breathability and water repellency.
Can I iron a Gore-Tex jacket to restore the DWR?
Only if the care label allows it. Use a cool iron with no steam, but tumble drying on low heat is usually the safer way to reactivate the coating.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
