How to Reproof a Raincoat and Restore Its Water Resistance

A dependable piece of outerwear is the ultimate cornerstone of a functional wardrobe, standing as your first line of defense against sudden storms. All premium raincoats, like the high-performance technical collections engineered by BYBROWN, need routine maintenance over time because of regular usage. When your jacket stops shedding water and begins absorbing it, the fabric has not become faulty. It simply means the exterior protective coating needs a quick performance refresh.

Here, you'll find instructions for washing, treating, and revitalizing your raincoat so the entire process is easy.

Key Takeaways

• DWR Wears Off: Your jacket's outer water-repellent layer is worn down by regular use, dirt, and body oils.
• Wash First: Do not apply a proofer onto a dirty jacket, as this will embed the dirt within the jacket.
  
• Two Types of Treatment: Use wash-in proofers and spray-on proofers for multi-layer or technical membraned shells.
• Heat Activation: Most treatments require the addition of targeted heat from a dryer or iron to be effective.

Understanding DWR: Why Does Your Raincoat Stop Repelling Water?

However, prolonged use reduces the effectiveness of this layer. Frequent friction from straps of a backpack, body oil, dust particles, and even urban air pollution wear down this unique factory treatment. In this case, the jacket undergoes what outdoor specialists call "wetting out". The face fabric of the garment becomes wet, making the whole coat heavy and cold. Another reason why the waterproofness can become less effective is because dirt can block the inner breathable membrane layer. 

Does your coat need washing and reproofing or does it only need a spot clean? 

The first point of call is spot cleaning. If you have a particular area of your coat that needs cleaning, for example make-up stains around the collar, then you don’t need to clean the entire coat but can use a mild detergent with cold water and sponge that particular area.

The Water Drop Test: Does Your Coat Need Reproofing?

Before buying treatment products, test your jacket. Add some drops of water on your shoulder or sleeve.

• If the water beads and slides down, your DWR coating is doing fine.
• However, if the water soaks through and leaves a wet mark on the fabric, this fabric is wetting out.

Once it starts wetting out, your jacket will stop breathing. Your sweat will get stuck there, leaving you feeling damp and cold.

Step 1: Clean Your Raincoat Completely

Before applying any water-repellency treatment, you should first wash your jacket. Any dirt or oil will block the fabric’s pores and prevent your waterproofing from adhering.

• Turn the jacket inside out. Empty the pockets, close all main zippers, pockets, and velcro.
• Thoroughly clean the detergent tray in the washer. General detergents contain ingredients that will break down your waterproofing layer.
• Instead of using normal detergent, use a detergent product which is specially for technical membraned material.
• Wash your jacket using a delicate cycle and either cold or warm water. Add another rinse cycle.

Step 2: Apply the Reproofing Treatment

You can choose between two main types of reproofing products: Wash-In treatments or Spray-On treatments.

Option A: Wash-In Reproofers

This method passes the waterproof treatment completely through the entire garment. 

How to do it: Take the wet jacket after washing. Place it back in the washing machine. Add the right quantity of wash-in proofer in the detergent drawer and run the machine on a normal cycle.

Option B: Spray-On Reproofers

This method targets only the outside fabric shell. It is best for multi-layer jackets with internal mesh liners, active wicking liners, or down insulation.

How to do it: Hang the wet jacket up. Apply the proofer equally throughout the whole exterior fabric surface, staying 6 inches away. After 3 minutes, remove any dripped product from the jacket surface with a damp cloth.

Step 3: Activating the DWR by Heating

Reproofers generally require heat to activate the chemical bonds between fibres, making them waterproof. Always remember to check the inner label of your jacket for heat sensitivity first.

• Method with a Clothes Dryer: Place your slightly damp jacket into the dryer and set it on low-to-medium heat for 20 to 30 minutes. Tumbling heat will distribute the coating equally.

• Method with an Iron: In case you do not have a clothes dryer, place a cloth over your jacket and iron on low heat setting without steam. Do not iron the synthetic fabric directly!

Sustainable Care for Premium Outerwear

Buying a premium womens raincoat is a fantastic way to start assembling or adding on to your sustainable wardrobe. At BYBROWN, true sustainability comes largely from our collective efforts to take care of our clothing properly. When you decide to wash and reproof your technical pieces rather than buy new ones when their performance declines, you help to preserve water resources, reduce production waste, and prevent expensive materials from ending up in landfill.

Premium technical pieces benefit heavily from localized adjustments. For example, Amsterdam city cyclists rely on raincoats that have to deal with harsh wind and rain daily. Giving these high-stress garments proper, proactive maintenance ensures they protect you reliably through years of unpredictable weather.

Conclusion

Restoring your jacket's performance does not require expert skills; it just takes a little attention given to conscious maintenance. With just a bit of effort on your part to clean and re-proof your jacket, you can instantly renew the technical fabric and guarantee full protection from any weather conditions. 

Consistent care is both a tribute to your initial purchase and a way of eliminating fashion waste. Ready for something innovative that protects you against all kinds of weather conditions sustainably? Check out our award-winning range of BYBROWN rainwear for women.
For more information, check out our website and choose your best Raincoat.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reproof waterproof jackets?
In order to reproof the technical jackets, start with a wash using a special cleaner for technical membraned material. Once wet, the reproofing solution can be used in a form of either wash-in or spray-on. The finishing touch will require drying following the instructions on the care label.

Where can I buy the cleaning and reproofing products technical membraned material?The cleaning and reproofing products for technical membraned materials can be found in Outdoor Stores and Adventure Stores.

What is the best waterproofing treatment for jackets?
In terms of safety and efficiency, only the water-based and biodegradable treatments from reputable sources related to textile care should be considered. The best way to make the water run off is to use the specialized outerwear proofers that do not contain any PFA’s.

Can I wash my technical raincoat in washing machine?
Yes, you can safely wash most technical raincoats in a domestic washing machine. Always double-check your garment's care tag first, use a specialized liquid tech wash, select a gentle synthetic cycle at 30°C, and avoid high-speed spin settings to protect the internal waterproof membrane.

How to clean a raincoat?
The first point of call is spot cleaning. If you have a particular area of your coat that needs cleaning, for example make-up stains around the collar, the you don’t need to clean the entire coat but can use a mild detergent with cold water and sponge that particular area.

If you need to clean the entire coat then empty all the pockets and close every zipper. Wash the coat on a gentle, cool cycle using a specialized technical cleaner rather than regular laundry detergent, then hang it up to air dry or put it in the tumble drier at a low heat. Low heat tumble drying  or ironing on a low heat is recommended to reactivate some membranes.