Don't Buy A New Rain Jacket — Do This Instead, by Sidney Explains on YouTube. 7 min 41 s.
- Video length
- 7 min 41 s
- Time to do it
- 1 to 2 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Sprinkle a little water on the shoulders and sleeves. If it soaks in and the fabric darkens instead of beading, the water-repellent finish (DWR) has worn off and needs restoring.
Before washing, try the free fix. Tumble dry the jacket on low heat for about 20 minutes, or iron it on low with no steam, to reactivate the existing finish.
If that fails, wash the jacket. Use a technical wash or pure soap, never normal laundry detergent, which leaves residues that kill the DWR.
Close zips and fasteners, then run a gentle, warm cycle. Skip fabric softener and bleach, and add an extra rinse so no soap stays in the fabric.
Dry the jacket on low heat for around 40 to 50 minutes. Warmth is what spreads the DWR evenly, so air drying alone often leaves it patchy.
If you use an iron, set it to low, use no steam, and place a towel between the iron and the fabric. Keep the iron moving so the coating does not melt or stick.
Check the beading again with a splash of water. If the fabric still wets out, it is time to reproof rather than wash again.
Choose a spray-on reproofer for targeted wear on shoulders and hood, or a wash-in product for a full garment. Wash-in treats everything but can soften breathability.
Apply the reproofer to a clean, damp jacket, work it into the fabric, then dry it warm to set the coating. Follow the bottle's stated drying time and heat setting.
Treat tents, packs and other gear the same way: clean first, then heat, then reproof only the areas that still absorb water.
Tips and common mistakes
Never use regular detergent or fabric softener, as both coat the fabric and block the DWR from working.
Spray reproofers in a ventilated space or outdoors, and keep the mist away from your face.
Wash your jacket a few times a season rather than rarely, since dirt and body oils break the finish down faster than washing does.
Check the care label before ironing, because some lightweight fabrics cannot take direct heat.
Questions
How often should I re-waterproof a rain jacket?
Wash and heat-dry it whenever water stops beading, often once or twice a season with regular use. Only apply a new reproofer when washing and heat no longer restore the beading.
Can I just use normal laundry detergent?
No. Standard detergents leave residues and often contain softeners that stop the DWR from bonding. Use a technical wash or a pure soap instead.
Should I pick spray-on or wash-in reproofer?
Spray-on gives you control and keeps breathability, so it suits jackets that only wet out at the shoulders and hood. Wash-in covers the whole garment evenly but can reduce breathability.
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.
