Caring for your waterproofs

Your waterproof clothing keeps you protected on the trails, but sometimes they need a little protection too. Good product care is key to making sure your favourite kit performs at its best and lasts as long as possible. PLUS, choosing durable products and making sure to take care of them is one way we can all help play our part and protect the environment around us.

WASHING YOUR WATERPROOF JACKET OR TROUSERS

So… you’ve been for a run and needed to crack out your waterproof jacket and trousers… You’ve got home, and you’re tired. Your base and mid-layers go in the washing basket (or maybe just the floor), but what about those waterproofs?

Maybe you just hang them over the door and let them dry, ready to be popped back into your pack for the next run. Stop right there!

A build-up of dirt, grease and body oils will accumulate over time. These can contaminate the waterproof membrane and cause it to leak. It needs to be washed.

We’ve put together this quick video to show you how to wash your waterproof jacket.

We recommend you use Grangers Performance Wash, or a similar product.

Now you know how to wash it, how often should you wash your waterproof jacket?

The answer is really simple. If it's in regular use, we recommend you wash it at least once a month. If you have been on a long run where you have been sweating heavily – give it a wash as soon as you can.

After each run where your waterproofs have got wet, put them in the tumble dryer on a low heat. This will help reactivate the DWR coating on the outside of the jacket and ensure it keeps you dry for longer.

Over time you will notice your waterproof clothing will begin to loose its repellancy and begin to wonder how often you should reproof your waterproofs? Well it depends entirely on how much use they are getting. As a general rule of thumb we recommend you reproof waterproofs that are in regular use at least once every 6 – 12 months. Products like Grangers Wash and Repel or Grangers Performance Repel Plus are great for doing so.

REPAIRING YOUR WATERPROOF

So you had a fall, or got caught, and now your trusty waterproof jacket has a hole. What do you do?

The good news is that most tears and holes can be repaired, and you can do it yourself. All you need is a needle, some thread, tape (we recommend STORMSURE TUFF patches) and a pair of scissors.

Step 1: Make sure your waterproof is clean and dry.

Step 2: Close the hole by carefully hand-sewing it shut.

Step 3: Cut off a piece of the repair tape and round off the corners to avoid them peeling.

Step 4: Peel off backing of the tape and attach it to the damaged area. Press it down and ensure it is securely attached to the fabric.