No matter what season it is or what you use your gear for, it might be time to wash your GORE-TEX® outerwear.
There is always a difference of opinion when it comes to washing GORE-TEX®; just like washing down jackets. Regardless of opinion, routine care of your GORE-TEX® jacket or pants is the key to keeping your gear performing at its best. We recommend care every 10-12 days of heavy activity.
Below are five common signs it is time to wash and/or reapply a DWR coating to your GORE-TEX® jacket or pants.
#1. You have been touring or taking part in high output activities where body oils and sweat might have accumulated inside the jacket or pants. These oils lead to contamination of the GORE-TEX® membrane and you will probably notice a decrease in breathability or increase of condensation inside your jacket or pants during use.
#2. You notice the water is not beading on the face fabric like it did when your jacket or pants were brand new. This is just a sign that the DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating needs to be recharged in a tumble drier.
#3. You have washed and dried your jacket a few times now without reapplying a fresh coat of DWR. It’s probably time to apply this coating as it will bring back the beading effect.
#4. You notice some “wetting out’ in high wear areas of the garment such as the sleeves, cuffs or jacket shoulders from backpack straps, or the front thigh area of your pants.
#5. You have been rolling around in dirt and noticed some of it has hung around on the outside of your gear. Dirt and contamination like sunscreen allow water molecules to saturate or “wet out” the face fabrics and can also lead to increased build-up of condensation inside your gear.
If you notice any of these five signs, it is time to put your jacket or pants in the wash. We recommend using a specific detergent like Grangers, or another Waterproof/Breathable specific wash product, and a spray-on DWR treatment
