Backpacking Tips: Reapplying A DWR Coating, by Backcountry Banter on YouTube. 7 min 39 s.
- Video length
- 7 min 39 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour plus drying time
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Test the jacket first. Sprinkle water on the shoulders and sleeves. If it beads and rolls off, the coating is fine. If the fabric darkens and soaks it up, it needs attention.
Wash the jacket with a technical cleaner such as Nikwax Tech Wash, not regular detergent. Detergent leaves residues that block the DWR. Use the dose on the bottle and run a gentle cycle.
Run an extra rinse so no cleaner is left in the fabric.
Try reactivating the old coating before buying a new product. Tumble dry on low, or iron on a low nylon-safe setting with no steam. Heat often brings much of the water resistance back.
Test again with water. If it still soaks in, move on to a fresh treatment.
For a spray-on product, hang the clean jacket up and spray evenly from about 15 cm away. Cover the shoulders, hood and sleeves, where wear is heaviest.
For a wash-in product, add it to the machine with the clean jacket and run a full cycle as the bottle instructs.
Let the jacket dry, then tumble dry on low or iron on low with no steam to set the coating. Test with water and repeat the spray on any patches that still soak in.
Tips and common mistakes
Never use fabric softener or ordinary detergent, as both coat the fibres and stop DWR from bonding.
Keep the iron on a low, nylon-safe setting and switch steam off, or you can melt or glaze the fabric.
Reapply roughly once a year if you hike often, and sooner if the jacket wets out quickly.
Wash the jacket before every treatment, since dirt and body oils hide the DWR and stop a new coat from sticking.
Questions
How often should I reapply DWR?
About once a year for regular use, or whenever water stops beading and the fabric wets out. Always try a wash and a low-heat dry first.
Can I just use normal laundry detergent?
No. Regular detergent leaves residues that block the DWR. Use a technical cleaner made for waterproof clothing.
Will ironing really restore the coating?
Often yes. A low, steam-free iron or a low tumble dry can reactivate the existing DWR. If water still soaks in, apply a new treatment.
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.
