How To Restore The DWR On Your Gear
If your once-reliable gear is starting to feel more like a sponge than a shield, you're not alone. And save your wallet, you don’t need new gear either.
You might have heard about the DWR (durable water repellent) coating: a protective layer applied to the outside of your technical gear to repel liquids and keep you dry and clean through the elements. It's a real performance enhancer and worth the investment, especially for hiking, backpacking, trail running, and outdoor sports in general.
But like all good things, it doesn't last forever on its own. Over time, the DWR layer on your gear wears off and starts feeling damp and clammy. Like always, the solution lies in taking good care of it. As experts in care, we've got what you need to bring your waterproof jacket, ski pants, and any technical outerwear back to peak performance.
Why Water Repellency Fades
Step-by-Step: How to Reactivate It
Bonus Care Tips
Why Choose DFNS
Why Water Repellency Fades
The buildup of dirt and body oils can slowly wear down the DWR finish on your gear. Standard detergents speed up that process with each wash cycle by leaving residue on the fabric that actively blocks the coating from doing its job. Resulting in a jacket that soaks through instead of shedding.
Good news is the DWR coating doesn't disappear, it just needs reactivating. Our Water Repellent Wash is designed for that. With every wash, it:
- Adds a liquid repellent layer that reactivates water and stain protection
- Works on all specialized materials without leaving residue (including water-repellent coatings)
- Doses perfectly every time with the automatic dosing system
Restoring DWR: Step-by-Step
1. PREP
Turn your garment inside out and secure zips, straps, or velcro before tossing it into the washing machine.
2. DOSE
Turn the bottle upside down with the lid closed, wait until the 25ml chamber is full, then turn it right side up. The perfect amount of solution will pour out when you open the lid, and the rest will stay down.
3. WASH
Clean the dispensers of your washing machine first. Add the Water Repellent Wash into the fabric softener dispenser, alongside your detergent of choice (our Sportswear Wash is perfect for tech garments, by the way). Then choose a gentle, cold cycle.
4. DRY
For best results, tumble dry with a clean tennis ball or dryer ball. Air drying works too, but puffer jackets may clump without agitation.
Disclaimer: Always check individual garment care labels for specific instructions.Bonus Care Tips
Don't Use Regular Detergent on Waterproof Gear
Regular detergents contain harsh chemicals that can damage technical fabrics and water-repellent coatings, breaking down the materials you invested in after just a few washes. Our Sportswear Wash extends the lifespan of your garments, maintains performance features and material integrity, and keeps your tech gear ready for the next challenge.
Wash Less
We love to see you use our wash solutions, but truth be told, you don’t always need to deep clean your garments. Especially outer shells and waterproof layers, they don't need washing after every use – it breaks down coatings faster and wastes energy. A good rule: wash base layers after every use, mid-layers every 2–3 uses, and waterproof shells only when visibly dirty or when liquids stop beading. For a quick refresh in between, our Sportswear Refresher spray has you covered.
We never run out of advice on how to care for your tech apparel and footwear, so check out our care tips for more.
Why Choose DFNS?
We're committed to designing our solutions so you can keep your favorite apparel in play for longer, without compromising on quality or sustainability.
Our Water Repellent Wash adds a liquid repellent layer to specialized garments, reactivating water and stain repellent properties with each cycle while protecting your apparel's performance. Our solutions are:
- Highly concentrated
- Safe for cotton, polyester, nylon, spandex and viscose
- Made for water-repellent coatings
- Effective on hot and cold cycles
- Water-based and solvent-free
- Packed in a recyclable bottle with an automatic dosing system
- Efficient, lasting up to 10 washes
- Kind to your skin and the environment
Ready to keep your DWR garments water repellent? Get your Water Repellent Wash and keep your tech gear performing at its peak for years to come.
