Its difficult to deny the importance of a good Rain jacket. They are waterproof, fashionable, and have good breathability, which is to say that they can protect you from the weather and make you look good without choking you in the process.
It’s possible to trace most of the qualities of Rain Jackets to their unique fabric. To protect that fabric and ensure that your Rain Jacket continues working efficiently, you have to wash them properly, and this article will show you how to do so.
Steps to Take Before Washing Rain Jackets
Washing your Rain Jackets is usually a process that can quickly go south if you don’t observe certain precautions.
Here are a few laundry tips that, if applied, would protect the fabric of your Rain Jacket.
Always Check The Fabric Care Instructions
The fabric of Rain Jackets differs. Some do well with washing machines while others do not. Some rain jackets are dryer friendly while others are not.
Reading the fabric care instructions will help you make the right decision to protect your jacket.
Rinse your washing machine before use.
Sometimes residues of detergents and other laundry products such as bleach and fabric softeners may remain in the tub of our washing machines.
Rinsing the washing machine would help clear any leftover detergent or softener that could damage the jacket’s fabric.
Watch the Kind of Detergent you use.
Some detergents are specifically designed to go with the Water Repellant Properties of the Rain Jacket. Non-biological liquid detergent and pure liquid soap are good options to consider.
How to Hand Wash Your Rain Jacket
Clothing manufacturers use different fabrics to make Rain Jackets, so you should read the fabric care instructions on your jacket before you begin washing.
If there is no ‘machine washable’ sign on the instructions tag, you are safer washing the jacket by hand. Here a few steps to help you do it safely:
Step One: Set Your Sink or Tub
You will often need enough space to hold water and nothing does the trick better than a sink or a tub. Ensure you wipe the sink or tub clean of stains or anything that could transfer to the jacket.
Step Two: Fill the Sink With Water
Fill the sink with cold water. Make sure the water is enough to completely cover the jacket completely.
Step Three: Add the Detergent
As has been previously mentioned, rain jackets do well with liquid detergents and specialized detergents.
Add a tablespoon of detergent to the water and give a quick stir to make sure they are thoroughly mixed.
Step Four: Soak the Jacket
Submerge the jacket into the water. Allow the jacket to soak for five minutes. After this time has elapsed, begin gently swishing the jacket.
Pay attention to any stained parts while doing this. Avoid twisting or roughly scrubbing the jacket as this could lead to damage.
Step Five: Drain the Sink and Rinse The Jacket
When you are through with the washing, drain the sink or tub. Fill with clean water and rinse the jacket.
Swish the jacket through the water until all the suds have disappeared from the jacket.
Step Six: Drying the Jacket
The method of drying will depend on the instructions on the jacket. Some jackets permit the use of a dryer. In that case, using a dryer in a moderate setting would work well.
If not, hanging it out on a rack will do the trick of drying your jacket.
How to Wash Rain Jackets With a Washing Machine
If the fabric care instructions allow for a washing machine, it is best to follow the steps below as closely as possible to prevent damage to your jacket.
Step One: Prepare Your Jacket
Preparing your jacket involves checking all pockets of your jacket for forgotten items like coins, keys, etc. Any of these items can destroy your jacket once the machine begins spinning.
After checking your pockets, properly zip up and fasten every opening in your jacket. Also, remove any removable trimmings (like hoods or collars); it is better to wash them separately.
Step Two: Brush Down The Jacket
Before placing your jacket in your machine, brush off any stray debris from the jacket. A soft brush or a clean washcloth would do the trick.
Once you cover every inch of the jacket with the brush, it is ready for the washing machine.
Step Three: Prepare the Washing Machine
Before placing your jacket in your machine, there are two things you need to get right.
The Right Detergent: Most detergents on the market can damage the waterproof coating of your jacket.
Ensure that you use a specialized waterproof detergent like Nikwax for good results. Add about one full spoon for a jacket or more if you are washing more than one.
The Machine Setting: Choose a gentle setting on your washer to prevent any damage to the waterproof coating of your jacket. An aggressive setting could easily rip your jacket.
Also, make sure that you use warm water as cold or hot water is too abrasive for most rain jackets.
Step Four: Place the Jacket in the Machine
Place the jacket in the machine and run on a delicate setting. When the first cycle is over, run the washer gain on a rinse cycle to remove all soapy residues.
If the jacket feels a bit gritty or filmy, run it on another rinse cycle until it feels clean and ready to dry.
Step Five: Dry the Jacket Immediately!
Place the jacket in a dryer as soon as possible! Delay will cause wrinkles to form on the fabric.
Never abandon your laundry in pursuit of other chores. Focus on washing the jacket first; it will take time but give you the best result.
Place the jacket in a dryer and set the dryer in a gentle setting. Running a low setting will mean that one cycle will often not be enough to get your jacket dry.
Keep running it until it is no longer damp. Again, you will need patience, but this is the best way to protect your jacket. A high heat setting will damage the jacket.
Of course, if the fabric care instructions forbid the use of a dryer, then you should place the jacket on a hanger and air dry in any well sunlit area in your house.
Reproofing Your Jacket
Your jacket will lose its water-resistance ability as you wear it regularly. One symptom is when water begins passing through the jacket rather than forming beads on it.
If you’ve observed this, then there is hope. You can reproof your jacket. Follow the steps below to do this:
Step One: Properly research the right waterproof spray for your jacket. The fabric care tag on your jacket will give you a clue.
Step Two: Make sure your jacket is thoroughly cleaned and dried. Dirt or soap residues, as well as moisture, can diminish the efficiency of the spray.
Step Three: Spread out the washed jacket and apply a waterproof spray from a distance of 4-6 inches. Ensure you cover every part of your jacket.
Step Four: Test the Jacket by sprinkling some water on it. If the water soaks through, you will need to repeat the process.
However, if it forms beads on the surface, the reproofing was successful, and your jacket is as good as new.