I have done so many blunders with laundry in the past. With every mistake, I have learned something new, or precisely, I have learned a lot from my mistakes. I was in my teens when I got my first waterproof coat, which I had to buy since I shifted to a rainy climate.
I had no idea how this thing works and how one should wash it. After wearing it for a whole day, I came back home, put the waterproof coat right in the washing machine, and washed it away with ordinary laundry detergent.
Can you imagine what had happened next? I was standing there holding the coat in my hand with a shocked face. Never mind, I did a little research after that, and I found out my mistake: never wash waterproof clothes in ordinary laundry detergent.
I do not want everyone to repeat the same mistake. This is why I am here to help you understand how waterproof clothes should be washed and when you should do it. Read to the end to get insight into waterproof garments.
Waterproof Clothes
Waterproof fabric can be both natural and synthetic. These fabrics have a composition such that they become resistant to water and do not absorb it. In the case of synthetic waterproof clothes, some chemical is coated on the outer surface of clothes, which may include wax, rubber, polyvinyl chloride, or fluoropolymers.
Usually, waterproof fabrics are used in making jackets or coats. These coats protect a person from rainfall and snowfall as the fabric does not absorb the water. Other than that, waterproof fabrics are used to cover delicate household items for protection against the weather. The best type of waterproof cloth is the one that is woven very tightly.
Raincoats are the most common clothing item that contains waterproof coating on the outer surface. These coats can have two different qualities: penetration and absorption. If the water stays on the fabric, it is penetrating. However, if the fabric soaks water, they are absorbent.
The most common color for waterproof raincoats people wear is yellow. There is this whole belief behind loving this color. Since rainy days are grey and give a gloomy perception, yellow color, the exact opposite of grey, gives hope that the sun will shine, spreading its rays all over again.
Can You Wash Waterproof Clothes?
You cannot treat waterproof clothes like any other ordinary cloth. Washing waterproof clothes and then reproofing them is an exhausting task that takes a lot of time. Though you need to do it once in a while, the process should be thorough and precisely done.
Waterproof clothes are made with special materials, and that is why they should be dealt with with great care. You cannot use ordinary laundry detergent or fabric softener to wash these clothes. Rather, a special type of cleaner made specifically for cleaning waterproof clothes should be used.
If these clothes are washed with ordinary detergent, the toxic chemicals present in the detergent are likely to break down the water-resisting coating, thereby destroying the whole purpose of the clothes.
Also, to ensure safe cleaning, clean your washing machine once by running an empty cycle. We do this to make sure there are no detergent residues left in the washing machine to damage the waterproof clothes.
You can easily wash waterproof clothes at home. You just need to follow some simple steps to get the clothes cleaned effectively. Cleaning and reproofing clothes is not a big deal if you have all the required equipment and energy to do it.
Read More: Does Liquid Detergent Damage Washing Machines?
Why Should I Wash Waterproof Clothes?
No matter what type of waterproof cloth or for what purpose you are using it, it needs cleaning at some point. Sometimes, the accumulation of dirt demands cleaning, while other times, the affected performance of your garments indicates that they need to be washed.
Wetting out of clothes is a sign that your clothes need reproofing. At this point, the clothes start soaking in water, just like a towel. Other than that, the accumulation of lots of dirt demands cleaning since it affects the performance of the coat.
However, you do not wash waterproof clothes every other day. It should be done only when the need arises. This is because frequent washing affects the performance of garments as it may delaminate the waterproof coating.
Similarly, it is advised not to iron the waterproof garments because heat can damage the fabric’s outer surface, thereby resulting in damage to the coating. When the waterproof coating is damaged, the garments start soaking in water just like a towel.
Washing such clothes is a difficult task. If you think that you may mess up things, you should get the cleaning done by a professional.
How to Wash Waterproof Clothes?
You cannot simply wash the waterproof clothes like you wash all the other ordinary clothes. Waterproof clothes are made with fabric that must be used delicately. You need a separate cleaner for them, a clean washing machine without any detergent residues, and the right temperature.
Setting the cycle at the right temperature is the most important of them all. Minor fluctuation in the temperature is likely to damage the fabric. This is why you should always read the label of the waterproof clothing for such instructions. The temperature should always be around 30 degrees. You will surely find the exact temperature written on the label.
Also, remember not to add more than two clothes to the washing machine at a time. The fewer the number of clothes, the better results you will get.
Moreover, there is no need to wash waterproof clothes daily. Wash them only when there is a need to, for instance, when the clothes get dirty with mud.
In addition, there is no need to add any other type of garment together with the waterproof clothes while washing them. This will only result in damage.
Step 1: Remove Loose Dirt
Before putting the clothes in the washing machine, we need to prepare them to prevent any damage.
Loose or dry dirt on the waterproof clothes should be removed first. You can either remove it by hand or use a soft bristle brush to get rid of dirt. This step is really important because if dirt stays on the clothes, it is likely to damage the surface of the fabric.
Step 2: Close Pockets and Zips
Waterproof coats and jackets almost always contain pockets of different sizes all over the jacket. Carefully zip all the pockets and flaps to avoid any damage.
Step 3: Clean the Washing Machine
It is the most important step since we do not want to ruin our expensive waterproof clothes just because of our minor mistakes. Residues of laundry detergent get stuck in the washing machine. When you add your waterproof clothes to the washing, they will carry the residues and thereby end up getting damaged, which we do not want at all.
The best solution to this is to wash the washing machine once before using it. You can run an empty cycle or just add a cup of white vinegar to clean up everything. The result will be a shiny and good-smelling washing machine free of detergent residues. You can easily wash your waterproof clothes in it.
While cleaning the drum, do not forget to clean the detergent compartment as well since it can also contain the residues of the laundry detergent you normally use.
Step 4: Add the Cleaner
For cleaning waterproof clothes, you should never use ordinary detergent. We need to take very good care of waterproof fabrics. For cleaning them, it is recommended to purchase a cleaner that is made specifically for cleaning waterproof clothes.
This cleaner not only provides effective cleanliness but also restores water repellency. You can add this cleaner directly into the detergent compartment.
If, in some cases, you do not have access to a waterproof clothing cleaner, you can try using a mild liquid detergent. However, you need to be sure that the detergent is free of toxins and will not be harsh on the waterproof fabric.
Step 5: Put the Waterproof Clothes in the Washing Machine
After adding the detergent, you need to add the clothes to the washing machine. It is ideal not to add more than two pieces of clothing. Though there is nothing wrong with adding several garments at a time, it is recommended to add no more than two clothes if you want to obtain good cleaning results.
Start the cycle and let the washing machine do its job.
Step 6: Dry the Garments
After rinsing the clothes, it is time to dry them. This step is very crucial, and do not forget to read the instructions on the label of your waterproof clothes.
You can dry waterproof clothes both in the air and in the tumble dryer, but the former is more acceptable. Only if the label allows you to do it can you dry the clothes in the tumble dryer, that too at a very low spin.
Read More: Laundry Detergent: Before or After Clothes?
Reproof Waterproof Trousers or Jacket
Reproofing clothes involves the application of a product for the restoration of clothes’ waterproof properties. When you wash the clothes, there is a high chance that they will lose their waterproof properties. In such a situation, there is a need to get it back.
Usually, new garments do not lose their waterproof property after getting washed. However, some older clothes do not allow water to bead up. In this situation, you need to get reproofing done.
You literally do not need to do it after washing. When you see your garment is not performing well, it is an indication that you need to retreat it. The following section explains how you retreat waterproof clothes.
Step 1: Wash the Item
By following the above-mentioned steps, wash the garments and dry them completely.
Step 2: Clean the Washing Machine
Clean the washing machine completely from the inside. Make sure there are no cleaner residues left inside. Also, clean the detergent compartment thoroughly to ensure that there is nothing left in there as well.
Step 3: Coat with DWR
Add the clothes to the washing machine, but instead of adding a cleaner, you will need to pour in about 150 ml of chemical for reproofing a single item. You can easily find Durable Water Repellency in the market. In addition, it is better if you reproof one item at a time. Nonetheless, there is no harm if you like to put more than one at a time.
On a slow spin, at about 30 degrees, run the cycle in the washing machine.
Step 4: Dry the Product
Dry the items to obtain the reproofed clothes. How you dry them depends upon the instructions on the care label. Following that, either tumble dry it or dry it in the air. You will regain the top-notch performance of your gear on drying.
In Conclusion
Waterproof garments are a need if you live in a rainy climate. So many different kinds of coated waterproof clothes are available nowadays, and people do not face any difficulty in finding any sort of waterproof outerwear.
Washing your waterproof clothes is a good and essential way of taking care of them. If you want them to last longer, you should wash them often. However, daily washing can also be damaging. There must be a balance between them, and wash the clothes only when it seems necessary.
No doubt, the waterproof coating gets damaged easily. It can easily wear off, but if you see the garments getting delaminating, know that it is time to replace them with new and better clothes.
Washing waterproof clothes is indeed a complicated process that requires time, effort, and focus. A small mistake can possibly ruin your expensive waterproof garment. This is why you should be careful enough to clean the clothes with perfection. Do not forget to read the instructions on the care label and follow the above-mentioned steps for the best results.