How to DWR - Rain Jacket Waterproofing, by Short Reviews With Seth on YouTube. 1 min 29 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 29 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Check the care label on your jacket. Most shells with a DWR finish can be washed and tumble dried, but some fabrics have limits on heat.
Empty the pockets, close all zips and fasten the hood and cuffs. Brush off loose dirt and mud before washing.
Wash the jacket with a technical cleaner like Nikwax Tech Wash, not regular detergent. Normal detergent leaves residue that blocks the DWR.
Follow the bottle dose and run a normal wash cycle at the temperature on the care label. Skip fabric softener.
Apply the DWR treatment as the bottle directs. With a wash-in product, add it to the machine and run the cycle again.
Tumble dry the jacket on low heat. This is the step most people miss, and it sets the DWR coating so it works.
Test the finish by sprinkling a little water on the shoulder. It should bead up and roll off rather than soak in.
Tips and common mistakes
Never use ordinary laundry detergent or fabric softener on a waterproof shell, as it coats the fabric and kills the DWR.
Tumble drying on low is what activates the coating, so do not skip it or hang the jacket to dry instead.
If water still soaks in after one treatment, repeat the wash-in DWR step before drying again.
Wash your shell a few times a season to keep dirt from breaking down the water-repellent finish.
Questions
How often should I re-waterproof a rain jacket?
When water stops beading and the fabric starts to look wet or feel damp inside. A wash and DWR refresh usually brings it back.
Can I use a normal washing machine?
Yes, a standard machine is fine. Use a technical cleaner and a low-heat tumble dry, and check the care label first.
What if I do not have a tumble dryer?
The heat set is important for the DWR. If you cannot tumble dry, check the product instructions for an iron or air-dry option on low heat.
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.
