How to Wash a North Face Rain Jacket?

Washing your North Face rain jacket correctly is essential for maintaining its waterproof and breathable properties, ensuring it continues to protect you effectively in wet conditions. Proper care extends the life of your gear and optimizes its performance.

Why Proper Washing is Crucial

Over time, dirt, sweat, and oils can clog the microscopic pores of your jacket's waterproof-breathable membrane and degrade its Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating. This leads to the fabric "wetting out," meaning water soaks into the outer layer instead of beading up and rolling off, which can make you feel cold and damp even if the inner membrane is still technically waterproof. Regular, correct washing revitalizes the DWR and cleans the membrane, restoring your jacket's performance.

Pre-Wash Preparation

Before washing your North Face rain jacket, take a few preparatory steps to ensure a thorough and safe cleaning:

Empty all pockets: Check every pocket to remove any items like keys, phones, or tissues.
Zip all zippers: Close all main zippers, pocket zippers, and pit zips. This prevents damage to the zippers and the fabric during the wash cycle.
Secure flaps and hook-and-loop fasteners: Fasten any storm flaps and secure all hook-and-loop (Velcro) closures to prevent them from snagging other parts of the jacket or the washing machine.
Loosen drawcords: Release any tension on hood or hem drawcords.
Brush off loose dirt: If your jacket has visible clumps of mud or dirt, gently brush them off before placing it in the washing machine.

Step-by-Step Washing Guide

Follow these detailed steps to wash your North Face rain jacket effectively:

1. Choosing the Right Machine and Settings

Use a front-loading washing machine: These machines are gentler on technical fabrics than top-loaders with agitators, which can cause excessive friction and damage.
Turn the jacket inside out: To protect the outer fabric and any DWR coating during the wash, turn the jacket inside out.
Set to a gentle or delicate cycle: Select a gentle or delicate wash cycle to minimize stress on the fabric and seams.
Ensure the temperature is 40°C or below: Set the water temperature to 40°C or below (lukewarm or cold water). Hot water can damage the waterproof membrane and DWR coating.

2. Selecting the Correct Detergent

The type of detergent you use is critical for waterproof-breathable fabrics.

Use a mild powder detergent instead of a liquid one. Liquid detergents can leave residues that clog the pores of the waterproof membrane and impair its breathability and water repellency.
Consider specialized technical wash products: For optimal results, consider using detergents specifically designed for technical outerwear, such as Nikwax Tech Wash or Granger's Performance Wash. These products are formulated to clean effectively without leaving residues.
Avoid certain products: Never use fabric softeners, bleach, or harsh stain removers, as these can severely damage the DWR and waterproof membrane.

3. The Washing Process

Place your prepared jacket into the front-loading washing machine. You can wash one or two similar items (e.g., another rain jacket or waterproof pants) together, but avoid overloading the machine.
Add your chosen mild powder detergent or technical wash to the detergent dispenser according to the product instructions.
Start the gentle or delicate cycle with water at 40°C or below.
Once the wash cycle is complete, it's often beneficial to run an additional rinse cycle without detergent to ensure all detergent residues are thoroughly removed.

Drying Your Rain Jacket

Proper drying is essential, as it can help reactivate the DWR coating.

Low heat tumble dry: Place the jacket in a tumble dryer on a low heat setting. The gentle heat helps to reactivate the DWR coating. Add a few clean tennis balls or dryer balls to help restore loft and ensure even drying.
Air dry: If you prefer not to use a dryer, or if your jacket's care label advises against it, air dry the jacket on a hanger in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight or excessive heat. Once fully dry, you can gently tumble dry it on a no-heat or very low-heat setting for 20 minutes to reactivate the DWR.

Restoring Water Repellency (DWR)

Even with proper washing, the DWR coating on your jacket will eventually wear off. When water no longer beads up and instead soaks into the fabric (known as "wetting out"), it's time to reapply DWR.

What is DWR? Durable Water Repellent (DWR) is a polymer coating applied to the outer fabric of waterproof garments. It causes water to bead up and roll off, preventing the fabric from becoming saturated. While the internal membrane provides the waterproof barrier, a functional DWR ensures breathability and comfort.
When to reapply: Reapply DWR when water stops beading on the surface, even after washing and tumble drying.
Methods of reapplication:
- Wash-in treatments: Products like Nikwax TX.Direct Wash-In are added to the wash cycle, impregnating the fabric with a new DWR coating.
- Spray-on treatments: Products such as Granger's Performance Repel Spray are applied directly to the clean, damp, or dry outer surface of the jacket. This method is often preferred as it targets only the exterior.

Always follow the specific instructions on the DWR product and your jacket's care label.

Important Tips and What to Avoid

To ensure your North Face rain jacket performs for years, adhere to these guidelines:

Do's	Don'ts
✅ Use a front-loading washing machine.	❌ Use a top-loading machine with an agitator.
✅ Wash with mild powder detergent.	❌ Use liquid detergent, fabric softener, or bleach.
✅ Turn jacket inside out.	❌ Dry clean the jacket.
✅ Set to gentle cycle, 40°C or below.	❌ Use high heat for washing or drying.
✅ Run an extra rinse cycle.	❌ Iron the jacket without consulting the care label.
✅ Tumble dry on low heat or air dry.	❌ Store the jacket compressed for long periods.
✅ Reapply DWR when necessary.	❌ Use harsh stain removers.

By following these care instructions, your North Face rain jacket will remain a reliable companion for all your outdoor adventures.