Intro:
Reproofing restores your garment’s Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating, ensuring your gear stays fully waterproof and breathable. Regular maintenance is essential to maximise the effectiveness and extend the life of your kit. Follow our step-by-step guide to cleaning and reproofing your outdoor gear to get it ready for the wet Irish Autumn.
Part 1: Waterproof Jackets & Trousers
Why Should You Reproof Your Outerwear?
Most technical waterproof jackets and trousers are treated with a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish. Applied to the exterior fabric, this treatment stops moisture from soaking in, forcing water to bead up and roll off.
Over time, friction from rucksack straps, heavy usage, dirt, body oils, and environmental pollutants wear down this protective layer.
How to Tell If Your Garment Needs Reproofing
- Water No Longer Beads: Rain soaks directly into the outer fabric (known as "wetting out").
- Feeling Sweaty or Clammy While Wearing: A saturated outer layer traps internal moisture and heat, making you feel damp from the inside.
- Visible Wear: Loss of fabric sheen or patchy water repellency.
Common Causes of DWR Degradation:
- Friction: Constant rubbing from backpack straps or active use.
- Contaminants: Dirt, body oils, sweat, airborne pollutants, sun creams, and insect repellents.
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Standard Laundry Detergents: Regular soaps leave behind chemical surfactant residues that coat the fibres and flatten the water-repelling structure.
⚠️ We strongly advise using a technical specific wash to ensure protection and longevity of your garment. -
Fabric Softeners: Softeners explicitly coat fabric fibres to reduce friction, which completely ruins the performance of a DWR treatment.
⚠️ We do not advise using fabric softeners on any of your outdoor apparel. - Weathering: Frequent exposure to rain, harsh conditions, or regular washing.
- UV Light and Aging: Prolonged exposure to sunlight and general aging gradually break down the polymer chains in the treatment.
Always Wash Before Reproofing
Applying a reproofing treatment to a dirty garment will not work. Dirt and body oils clog the technical fabric’s pores, blocking the treatment from bonding. Clean first, then reproof.
Step-by-Step: How to Clean Your Outerwear
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Prep
Empty all pockets.
Close all zips, pocket closures, and velcro fastenings.
Check the garment's internal care label.
Run your washing machine on a quick rinse cycle (with no clothes) to flush out detergent residue.
Place garments inside the machine.
Do not overload the machine. -
Clean
Use a specialised technical wash such as Grangers Performance Wash.
Follow the specific product instructions.
Wash on a gentle cycle at 30°C / 86°F (or as recommended by the care label). -
Dry
Tumble Drying (If care label permits): Tumble dry on low heat. Gentle heat helps reactivate the existing DWR coating.
Air Drying: Air dry away from direct heat sources and direct sunlight.
Important: Ensure your garment is 100% dry before storing to prevent mould, unpleasant odours, and permanent material damage.
Product Highlight
Grangers Performance Wash
Suitable For: GORE-TEX®, eVent, FutureLight, Waterproof, Windproof, Soft Shell, Fleece
- Dosage: Use half a capful (25ml) per wash load.
- Application: Pour directly into your washing machine's detergent drawer (do not use household detergent or fabric conditioner).
- Cycle: Wash on a full cycle at 30°C / 86°F (or according to care instructions).
Step-by-Step: How to Reproof Your Outerwear
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Choose Your Reproofing Method
All-over refresh: Use a wash-in treatment.
For targeted areas: Use a spray-on treatment (ideal for high-friction zones like shoulders). -
Apply your chosen treatment - Following the product instructions carefully.
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Tumble dry on low heat - If the care label allows, tumble dry on low heat to activate the DWR treatment. Otherwise air dry.
Product Highlight
Grangers Clothing Repel (Wash-In Treatment)
Suitable For: GORE-TEX®, HELLY TECH, eVent, Pertex, FutureLight, Waterproof, Windproof, Soft Shell, Fleece
- Clean the garment prior to application.
- Dosage: Use 2 x 50ml caps (100ml) for the first item, and add 50ml for each additional item.
- Application: Pour directly into the washing machine drawer and wash on a full cycle at 30°C / 86°F.
- Drying: Air-dry or tumble-dry if permitted by the care label.
Product Highlight
Grangers Performance Repel Plus (Spray-On Treatment)
Suitable For: GORE-TEX®, eVent, FutureLight, Waterproof, Windproof, Soft Shell, Fleece
- Spray directly onto a freshly cleaned, damp garment: Pay extra attention to high-friction areas (shoulders, elbows).
- Wipe away excess product: Use a clean microfibre cloth.
- Drying: Air-dry naturally or follow the drying instructions on your garment's care label.
Product Highlight
Grangers Wash & Repel 2-in-1 (Clean & Reproof Together)
Suitable For: GORE-TEX®, HELLY TECH, eVent, Pertex, FutureLight, Waterproof, Windproof, Soft Shell, Fleece
- Dosage: Use 2 x 50ml caps (100ml) for the first item (add 50ml per additional item).
- Application: Shake well and pour directly into the detergent drawer.
- Cycle: Wash on a full cycle at 30°C / 86°F.
- Drying: Air-dry or tumble-dry if permitted by the care label.
Part 2: Waterproof Footwear Care
Why Should You Reproof Boots & Shoes?
Over time, protective coatings on footwear wear away, allowing moisture, dirt, and salt to soak into the materials. Unchecked, this dries out leather, cracks uppers, weakens stitching, and clogs breathable linings—leaving your feet cold and wet.
Reproofing restores the outer moisture barrier, keeping water and dirt out while preserving comfort and durability.
Signs Your Footwear Needs Reproofing
- Water Absorbs Instead of Beading: Water darkens the outer surface immediately.
- Boots Feel Heavy or Chilled: Wetting out makes boots heavy, cold, and saturated.
- Wet Feet from Sweat: A saturated outer layer traps internal moisture and heat, making feet feel damp from the inside.
- Dry or Faded Uppers: Leather or fabric looks worn, dried out, or faded.
- Seasonal Use: They've completed a season of heavy wear.
Cleaning Footwear Before Reproofing
It is best practice to clean footwear after every muddy walk or coastal hike. Dirt, soil acidity, and salt degrade boot materials over time. Just like clothing, always clean footwear before applying reproofing treatments.
Step-by-Step: How to Clean Your Footwear
Warning: Never wash outdoor footwear in a washing machine unless explicitly permitted by the manufacturer.
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Preparation
Remove laces and insoles.
Tap the outsoles together outdoors to loosen clotted mud and gravel. -
Cleaning the Uppers
Brush off dried dirt using a soft brush.
Wipe down with lukewarm water and a cloth to loosen stubborn debris.
Apply a technical material cleaner as directed by the product instructions.
Pat off remaining cleaner with a microfibre cloth. -
Cleaning the Soles, Laces & Insoles
Soles: Brush away dried mud from tread lugs with a stiff brush and rinse soles with warm water.
Laces: Hand-wash in warm, soapy water, rinse, and air dry.
Insoles: Clean per manufacturer guidelines and air dry completely. -
Drying:
Air dry naturally away from direct heat sources.
Stuff newspaper into your footwear to help dry faster and allow the moisture inside to wick out.
Product Highlight
Grangers Footwear & Gear Cleaner
Suitable For: GORE-TEX®, eVent®, Suede, Nubuck, Leather, and Fabric.
- Remove laces.
- Brush off loose debris.
- Spray directly onto dirty areas and wipe clean with a damp cloth.
- Allow to air dry naturally.
Step-by-Step: How to Reproof Your Footwear
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Product Selection by Material:
Leather Uppers: Use conditioning waxes or creams.
Synthetic / Fabric Uppers: Use technical spray-on treatments. -
Apply While Damp: Apply treatment right after cleaning while the footwear is still slightly damp to aid absorption.
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Work It In: Spray evenly or use a cloth to rub wax/cream thoroughly into seams and stitching.
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Air Dry:
Let footwear dry naturally at room temperature away from radiators or heaters.
Stuff newspaper into your footwear to help dry faster and allow the moisture inside to wick out. -
Test the Seal: Once dry, flick a few drops of water onto the surface. If it beads up and rolls off, you're good to go!
Product Highlight
Grangers Footwear Repel Plus (Spray)
Suitable For: GORE-TEX®, eVent®, Suede, Nubuck, Leather, and Fabric.
- Spray evenly onto clean, damp footwear.
- Wipe away excess product using a clean cloth.
- Allow to dry naturally and completely.
- Apply a second coat if required.
Product Highlight
Grangers G-Wax
Suitable For: GORE-TEX®, eVent®, and all smooth leather footwear and accessories.
- Ensure leather footwear is clean.
- Apply sparingly to a clean cloth and rub into the leather, ensuring all seams and joints are covered.
- Apply 2–3 thin coats for maximum protection, allowing time to dry between coats.
- Allow to dry naturally before your next adventure.
Pro Tip: Wear latex gloves and use your fingers to rub wax into awkward nooks and crannies.
📞 Need specific help or advice on reproofing your gear? Pop into our Tralee store or call us on 066 712 6644 — our team will be delighted to help you get adventure-ready.
