How do I clean and care for a waterproof jacket?

Your waterproof jacket is undoubtedly one of your most important pieces of hiking gear, but it can only do its job if you take care of it. Constant neglect and misuse will severely shorten the lifespan of an otherwise durable product.

To help prolong the life of your Columbia women’s waterproof jacket (or any other outdoor clothing you might own), we’ve put together a quick cleaning and maintenance guide. With just a few essential steps, you can be sure your favourite outerwear will continue to accompany you on many more outdoor adventures.

Cleaning your outdoor clothing is easy:

• Remove any dirt and debris from the surface: Take a few minutes to remove any dried mud or other debris on its surface. Make sure you check areas that are prone to hiding debris, such as the cuffs, collar, or pocket flaps.

• Close everything that needs closing: Zip the zips, button your buttons, and latch any Velcros before washing. If it can be closed, do it. That way, your garment won’t snag onto anything while doing its wash cycle.

• Read the care label instructions: Your jacket’s care tag contains important information on how to wash your garment without damaging it. The label will tell you the appropriate temperature and detergent to use, along with any special instructions for drying.

• Wash using gentle soap on a cold, delicate spin: Using gentle soap on cold water minimises any potential damage. Harsh detergents, hot water, and high-speed spins affect your outerwear’s durable water repellent (DWR) and any seam seals on the outer shell.

• Dry on low heat: Drying on low heat helps keep any seam seal in place. It also reactivates the DWR by helping moisture bead off the outer shell. To help soften its movement, dry the garment with two towels.

Following the guidelines should help preserve your coat’s DWR. That means using gentle washing liquid instead of regular cleaners. Drying the jacket at a low temperature can also help activate its water-repelling properties by encouraging it to repel any moisture on its surface.

Over time, your outerwear’s DWR will naturally diminish and will need reapplying. But with proper care, you shouldn’t have to worry about this for a while.

• It may become stained and have unpleasant odours: Improper machine washing or drying techniques can lead to unwanted stains and odours. Make sure it’s thoroughly dried and is hung in a well-ventilated area to prevent mould and mildew from developing.

• Its water-repelling properties may weaken or disappear entirely: Even though your Columbia outerwear is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, it can’t withstand mistreatment. Using the wrong type of cleaner or drying improperly could affect how well your coat repels water.

• You could damage your jacket: Care labels are there so you can continue wearing your outerwear for a long time. Ignoring those guidelines can diminish its effectiveness, or worse, ruin it.

Aside from proper washing directions for your Columbia waterproof jacket, here are some tips to help keep it in tip-top shape:

• If you notice a stain, treat it as soon as you can. Blot or sponge the stain to remove as much of it as you can. Don’t rub the stain because you could push the stain further into the fabric and scratch the surface.

• Only machine wash periodically or when absolutely necessary. Excessive washing can wear out the fabric and weaken the water-repellent quicker.

• Consider hanging your outerwear to air dry instead of tumble drying. But if you do hang it, make sure it’s in a well-ventilated area so it can dry properly and avoid mould/mildew growth.

• NEVER iron your waterproof jacket. You will melt the seam seals and affect the inner layer.

• Store and hang your coat in a clean, dry, dust-free environment when not in use. If it’s damp from previous use, make sure you dry it first before storing it. Never store it when wet, as this could cause mould and mildew.

Hopefully, this guide has prepared you for your next Columbia waterproof outerwear purchase. With a wide range of products for all sorts of weather, you’re guaranteed to have a quality addition to your outdoor gear.

Need more tips and information about your Columbia product? Check out our comprehensive guide to get all the answers you need.

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