Is it that time of year when the weather is unpredictable and there is a sudden downpour at any given time? It is advisable to keep yourself dry and safe. If you are searching for something which can help you with that, waterproof clothes are the apparels to go for! Any waterproof clothing comes with a DWR (durable water repellent) treatment which keeps you safe from the rain. It gets better when it also has space for internal moisture to escape.

There are waterproof jackets that ensure the longevity of your jacket. But why is it necessary?

Jackets and waterproof clothing lose their water-repellency after a point when there is dirt and oil on the fabric of the jacket. It is noticeable when your jacket starts absorbing dirt, water, and oil rather than repelling it.

 

Take care of your waterproof clothes

It is important to know the cleaning and drying process of waterproof clothing. There are many ways that the manufacturer recommends for the process of drying. It is, therefore, necessary to know which specific kind of clothing you are dealing with. You can perform the drying stage of the cleaning process by using a hair drier. You would be able to see that there are water beads on the surface of your garment again after the cleaning and drying process.

There are many alternate processes of cleaning. You can use a waterproofing liquid rather than using the washing machine to clean them. It is one of the temporary alternatives to keep your clothes as waterproof as possible. You can simply hang a coat or jacket on the hanger and spray the waterproofing liquid over it. It should not be closer than 5-7 inches from the garment.

Your jacket or coat should be evenly covered and you should not miss any spot. You can also close your jacket and if you have put too much of the liquid, you can easily wipe it off with the help of a damp cloth.

Prepare before the trip

You can prepare your garments before the trip by analysing which one needs the most care. Once you have identified your garment which needs care, you can turn it inside out and then check for anything that can or would be inside the pocket to not lose them during the cleaning process. Make sure that you have no detergent or conditioner left in the washing machine. You can clean the washing machine if need be.

You can then move forward with the next stage of drying once you have ruled out every possibility of it getting dirty or spoiled.

How often is it required to re-proof your jacket/coat?

It depends upon how frequently you wear the jacket. There are jackets which you would be wearing daily, especially during the monsoon months. Therefore, it is important to keep track of the time you have been wearing that particular garment to test if it is still waterproof to the optimum level.

You can re-proof a jacket every three to four months if you have not worn it every day for three to four months straight. If you wear it less, you can re-proof your jacket every six months in a year.

Re-proofing helps save you a lot of investment in a new garment, as well as helps repurpose them till the time these clothes can be used. There are re-proofing products such as Grangers and Nikwax which offer some of the best results.

You just need to have access to a washing machine if you are using one of these liquids. A tumble drier helps in keeping the re-proofing intact.

 

Is it time?

Do you think it is time to re-proof your garment? Make sure to get rid of excess dirt and oil before you start with the re-proofing process. Once it is done, you can enjoy your hikes and other outdoor activities and have a great time with your loved ones.