Washing a waterproof jacket

You cannot use a biological detergent.
Fabric conditioner shouldn’t be used either on waterproofs.

We were ramblers for nearly thirty years, so based on experience of washing waterproof clothing, look for detergent without surfactants. You have to read the small print though. Never use that horrible conditioner either. Wash at no more than 30deg. Dry naturally, no tumble dryer.

You need to use a technical product like NikWax Tech Wash or similar.

“Tech Wash

All clothing including high activity/technically advanced garments
Ideal cleaner to clean nylon and synthetic tents, rucksacks, awnings, marquees, fabric accessories and camera bags, etc
TX.Direct

Clothing with drop liners
Microporous coatings
Gore-Tex
Sympatex
eVENT
Tripple-Point Ceramic
Microfibre fabrics
Breathable laminate”.

Ask at the store where you bought your jacket.

You need to use a non biological detergent. The one that I used to use was called something like Snowflake. It’s like grated soap. One that is used by people with skin problems is likely to be okay too.

I had a waterproof jacket, I used a product called NIKWAX, I got it from Amazon, but I would think it would be available from a 'outdoors' shops. I used my washing machine to wash it. It restored the waterproofing

Another vote for Nixwax

Most out door stores ( like Cotswold Outdoor) will sell a suitable washing liquid for technical waterproof jackets.

There are 2 sorts of Nikwax. One for a wash cycle and then a different one ( a second cycle ) which reproofs it

Nikwax Tech Wash for all waterproof clothing, rucksacks and boots.

This is the product I use to clean and re proof in one bottle MOMB

I have a waterproof jacket which came with instructions to wash in liquid soap flakes. Waitrose stocks it and I used it in the normal way in the washing machine - no fabric softener.

Nikwax products

I just wash my Regatta in my usual Persil non bio liquid at 30° and normal spin speed had done for years still as waterproof.

Oops , my waterproof jacket is dripping on the line right now . I used my usual liquid detergent ..........

This is a very useful thread, I need to wash my and dh’s, dog walking jackets and a Patagonia back pack.

How have others tackled washing back packs out of curiosity? It’s made from a sort of synthetic canvass weave. In the bath perhaps?

Another vote for Nikwax/Techwash. ?

I’ve found ‘waterproof wash’ in (IIRC) Waitrose, and have used it on a yellow summer jacket.

I wash my small rucksack in the washing machine on a 30° wash and minimum spin... my machine does 400rpm.. then pull into shape and hang up either outside or over the bath.
Fasten all the buckles but leave the zips undone.. stick a couple of old towels in with it to bulk up and add a bit of 'friction'. Dont know if that actually makes a difference but cuts down the noise!!
Great results every time..rucksack is about 10 years old and still going strong.

My jacket recommended pure liquid soap. I couldn’t find it in the shops but found it very cheap on Amazon.
It did a very good job, my jacket looks like new.