Can you wash your waterproof Drytino robe?
Washing waterproof jackets or clothing and treating them to re-waterproof the fabric can be a daunting challenge to take on. At Drytino we often get asked ‘can you wash waterproof robe?’ or ‘how do you wash a waterproof robe?’
The answer to those questions are ‘of course you can!’ and ‘it’s very easy!’
So long as you stick to a few basic rules washing and re-treating waterproof garments, is a relatively simple and safe thing to do.
So to help you out we’ve put together a nice simple step by step guide showing you how to clean and re-waterproof your jacket.
Why should you wash your waterproof robe?
For some consumers, the thought of washing a waterproof garment is not the right thing to do. Why would you wash something which was waterproof?
How to wash your waterproof robe.
There will always be a time when washing your Drytino waterproof robe becomes essential. Washing waterproof robes and treating waterproof clothing may sound complicated, but it is simple when you know how.
From learning how you can wash waterproof robes this simple how-to guide will cover everything you need to know.
What you will need:-
A waterproof washing liquid for down or technical outerwear – or a common non-biological laundry detergent
- A washing machine
- A tumble dryer
Our step-by-step guide to washing waterproof robes
The Washing Procedure
Step 1. Remove all dirt
The first step to cleaning the waterproof robe is to brush off any dirt. Do up any zips or velcro and close any flaps.
Step 2. Clean your washing machine
Before washing your robe, clean your washing machine of any soap build-up to minimise the risks of ruining your robe.
Step 3. Wash according to the label
Follow the instructions on the robes label and choose a suitable program to wash your robe on. Place your item in the washing machine (ideally 1 item per wash) and use a standard non-biological soap or a waterproof washing liquid to add extra protection. If you cannot read the label, you should wash your clothes on a gentle cycle and a slow spin - around 30 degrees is optimal.
Step 4. Give the robe an extra spin
After the washing cycle has finished, run multiple spin cycles - each time incrementally increasing the spin speed, to remove excess water.
Step 5. Drying out
It is important that the robe is left to hang dry.
HOW TO RE-WATERPROOF ROBES.
If your robe is still new, a simple wash will suffice. But, if you’ve owned your robe for a long time, you’ll need to improve the DWR (Durable Waterproof Repellency).
Nothing lasts forever, and the more washes the robe has, it becomes less and less waterproof due to the waterproof coating being washed away.
So what is DWR? Virtually all rainwear is treated with a DWR, or a durable water repellent finish. While a waterproof/breathable membrane will stop water from penetrating to a robes interior, a DWR is also needed to prevent precipitation from saturating the jacket’s exterior.
When the DWR breaks down, the robes exterior becomes waterlogged and heavy. That can leave you feeling wet and chilled or wet and clammy—and lead you to erroneously conclude that your jacket’s waterproof/breathable membrane is failing.
What many people fail to realise is that DWRs diminish in performance for a number of reasons—the buildup of dirt and body oils or because of abrasion. Fortunately, a Drytino robes performance can be revived with proper cleaning, and can be bolstered by reapplying a DWR with a wash-in or spray-on product, an easy process you can do yourself with our own product.
To re-waterproof your robe, place it firstly in a wash and follow the instructions above. However, make sure you use waterproof washing liquid instead of regular non-biological soap.
Dry your robe using a hang dry method. Then apply our specially formulated durable water repellent all over the robe. This activates the DWR coated microfibers, thus repelling water. You can do this as many times as needed over the years.
