Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating prevents precipitation from penetrating the exterior of a product. When the DWR coating fails, the material can no longer shed the water, so it no longer beads up as it should. Dirt build-up, body oils and abrasion can cause the DWR coating to stop working. You can restore the water repellency of your product by cleaning it properly and renewing the DWR coating with a suitable wash-in or spray-on product.

Tips for cleaning and restoring DWR

• Always follow the manufacturer’s care and washing advice.
• Use a clean washing machine — run a short cycle without anything in the machine to clean out any excess detergent. When you need to clean your tent, it is better to pitch it and wash it by hand. Shoes should also be washed by hand.
• Use a technical wash solution instead of regular laundry detergent. Some include DWR so you can revive the coating at the same time as washing your gear. For tents or shoes, you can use a spray-on DWR product.
• If possible, place the product in a dryer on low to medium heat. Alternatively, you can also iron the product carefully with a towel or cloth between the iron without steam and on a warm, not hot, setting.

We would like to reiterate that the best source of information on how to care for your gear will be found on the product’s label or the manufacturer’s website.