How to Wash a Rain Jacket

A good rain jacket keeps you dry, blocks the wind and stays breathable - but only if you look after it properly. Whether you wear a lightweight shell for daily commutes or a heavier waterproof jacket for hiking and travel, regular washing is what keeps the membrane working as it should. This guide shows you how to wash a rain jacket the right way, from choosing the correct detergent to reproofing it afterwards, so it stays ready for your next trip outdoors.

In this Guide

Can You Wash a Rain Jacket?
Washing Machine or Hand Wash?
Which Detergent Is Right for a Rain Jacket?
How to Wash a Rain Jacket: Step by Step
Reproofing a Rain Jacket: Spray or Wash-In?
FAQ

Can You Wash a Rain Jacket?

Yes - and you should, especially if you wear your jacket often. Washing removes dirt, grease and sweat residue that builds up on the fabric over time.

If you never wash your rain jacket, these residues gradually clog the pores of the membrane underneath the outer fabric. A clogged membrane breathes less well, which means moisture from your body has a harder time escaping. The jacket can start to feel damp and clammy from the inside, even though no rain has gotten in.

As a rule of thumb: if you wear your rain jacket daily, wash it about once a month. If you only wear it occasionally, wash it whenever it looks or smells like it needs it, or at the end of the season before you put it away.

Washing Machine or Hand Wash?

You can machine wash most rain jackets without any concern. Always check the care label sewn into the jacket first - it tells you the exact temperature and cycle your specific jacket can handle.

When you do machine wash:

Choose a cycle without spinning, or one with a short, low-speed spin.
Close all zips and Velcro fastenings before you start, so they don't snag the fabric.
Pre-treat heavily soiled areas — collar, cuff edges, pockets — with a soft brush, water and a little gall soap before the main wash.

Which Detergent Is Right for a Rain Jacket?

Avoid standard laundry detergent, fabric softener and bleach. These can leave a residue on the membrane or break down its water-repellent coating over time.

Liquid detergent generally works better than powder, since powder residue can clog the membrane more easily. That said, check the label even on liquid detergents: some contain fabric softener, which you want to avoid here too.

The best option is a specialist detergent for outdoor and technical clothing, or a mild liquid detergent without softening agents. These are formulated to rinse out fully, leaving the membrane clear.

Use less detergent than you think you need. As a general principle: wash more often with a small amount of detergent, rather than occasionally with a lot.

How to Wash a Rain Jacket: Step by Step

Most waterproof jackets can go in the washing machine at 30°C, but always confirm this against the care label first - membranes vary between jackets.

1. Pre-treat heavily soiled areas with a soft brush and gall soap.

2. Close all zips and Velcro fastenings, then load the jacket into the drum.

3. Select a gentle or delicate cycle on your machine.

4. Set the temperature to 30–40°C, depending on the membrane, unless the care label specifies otherwise.

5. Add a liquid detergent for outdoor and technical clothing, dosed according to the product instructions.

6. Run an extra rinse cycle to remove any remaining detergent residue

7. Air dry the jacket - avoid direct heat sources like radiators or tumble dryers unless the care label says otherwise.

Reproofing a Rain Jacket: Spray or Wash-In?

Washing cleans your jacket, but it can also reduce how well water beads off the surface. That's why reproofing - restoring the water-repellent finish - is just as important as washing itself.

Test it first. After washing, hold the jacket under a running tap. If water beads up and rolls off, the water-repellent finish is still working and you don't need to do anything. If water soaks into the fabric instead of beading, it's time to reproof.

You have a few options:

Spray-on proofer

Applied directly to the dry jacket after washing, then usually heat-set with a hair dryer or warm iron (check the product

Wash-in proofer

Added during the wash cycle itself, so it coats the whole jacket evenly in one step. A practical option if you'd rather combine washing and reproofing in a single load.

Professional reproofing service

If you'd prefer not to do it yourself, a reproofing service handles the whole process for you.

A well-proofed jacket doesn't just repel rain better - it also breathes better, since water isn't sitting on the outer fabric and blocking moisture from escaping. That makes it a better companion for your next trip outdoors.

Looking for the right care products for your rain jacket?

We stock a range of detergents and reproofing products designed for outdoor clothing.

Frequently asked Questions

Check the care label first - some jackets can tolerate low, gentle heat, but many shouldn't go in the tumble dryer at all. Air drying is the safer default unless the label says otherwise.

Washing on its own shouldn't strip the membrane, but it can reduce the water-repellent finish on the outer fabric over time. That's why reproofing after washing is part of the same care routine, not a separate one.

There's no fixed schedule - it depends on use. The water-bead test after washing is the most reliable way to check: if water no longer beads off, it's time to reproof.

It's best to avoid it if you can. Standard detergent and fabric softener can leave residue on the membrane and reduce breathability. If you have no alternative, use as little as possible and run an extra rinse cycle.

This usually points to a clogged or worn membrane rather than a leak. Washing the jacket properly and reproofing it afterwards often resolves this, since it clears residue and restores the water-repellent finish.

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