Clean your gear you filthy animal!

Our gear is well known for its durability, water-resistance, and breathability. However, they require regular cleaning and maintenance to keep them looking and performing their best. End of season cleaning is a must and do not put dirty gear away.

A good first step is to give it a normal wash like any other piece of laundry. DO NOT DRY.

It is important to identify the type of stain you are dealing with. Different types of stains require different treatments. For example, oil-based stains require a different treatment than water-based stains. Once you know the type of stain you are dealing with, you can then move on to the removal process.

For water-based stain, such as food, juice, or coffee, then the best approach is to first blot the stain with a paper towel or cloth to remove as much of the liquid as possible. Then, you can use a mixture of a detergent and warm water to pre-treat the stain. Soak the fabric in the solution for a few minutes and then gently scrub the stain with a soft-bristled brush.

For oil-based stains, such as grease, lipstick, or wax, you will need to pretreat the stain with a degreasing cleaner. Dawn dish soap works really well for this. Then, apply the cleaner directly to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, gently rub the stain with a soft-bristled brush and rinse with cold water. Repeat this step a few times. For stubborn stains you may need to use a stain remover. If the stain remover is safe to use on the fabric, apply it directly to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing the stain with a soft-bristled brush.

As a last cleaning step, normally wash your gear. Review if any of the above steps should be re-done. Feel free to reach out with questions too!

Air Dry.

Next, you’ll need to pre-treat the fabric with a DWR-specific cleaner and conditioner. This will help to ensure that the DWR coating is applied evenly and adheres properly to the fabric. We suggest ReviveX products for this. Any product designed for this will work.

Once the fabric is prepped and clean, it’s time to apply the DWR coating. You can either spray the coating directly onto the fabric or use a sponge to apply it. Once soaked, heat set this in a dryer. This helps the coating to bond with the fabric and creates a more durable water-resistant barrier. Revivex is again a great product to use for this.

Finally, the last step is to test the DWR coating. If the water beads off the fabric, then the coating has been applied successfully. If not, then you may need to repeat the application process.

All Clean and waterproof!