A treatment applied to rain gear gives it a waterproof finish that protects you from moisture. As the gear ages, this surface treatment wears down and loses it power. Dirt building up on the surface of the gear is one cause. Proper regular cleaning of gear and a reviving solution are all you need to bring your rain gear back to health.
Step 1
Rinse the gear off with warm water. Fill up a sink with warm water and dip the gear or hold it under a running tap. Do this after every use to free the gear of surface dirt.
Step 2
Take your gear to a laundromat. The best machine to wash rain gear in is a front-loading commercial washer. Front-loading washers do not use an agitator that may rip the fabric.
Step 3
Zip up jackets and empty and secure pockets to prevent damage to the gear when washing it.
Step 4
Place the gear into the front-loading washing machine. Add a mild detergent. Run the washer's rinse cycle twice to remove soap residue.
Step 5
Dry the gear in the dryer on low. If necessary, iron it with a steam iron set to low or on a setting for synthetic fabric. Wipe the front of the iron with denatured alcohol before using it, safely removing any residue that can transfer to your gear.
Step 6
Apply a spray-on durable water-repellent finish (DWR) to the gear. DWR solutions are available as a wash additive if you prefer. Adding the finish to the gear enhances and restores the gear's ability to repel water. Follow the instructions provided with the product for proper application.
Tips and Warnings
- Replace gear if it is damaged or torn.
Things You'll Need
- Front-loading washer
- Mild detergent
- Steam iron
- Denatured alcohol
- Spray-on DWR
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