How Often Should You Be Washing Your Rain Jackets?

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As an avid outdoorist, there's a good chance you've picked up practical knowledge along the way — like what it means if you see a purple painted tree or the best city to live in if you love hiking. But when it comes to washing the rain jacket you wear on your adventures, the guidelines aren't always as clear. While most jackets come with instructions on the label, keeping them clean (and in good condition) is a little more nuanced than laundering your everyday clothes, which can typically be tossed in the washing machine after each wear without a second thought. That's not the case with your trusty rain jacket, though, because washing it too often can compromise its durability.

Essentially, you should only wash your rain jacket when it's obviously dirty. If you've spent a week outdoors and your jacket is covered in mud or starting to smell, it's definitely time to give it the spa treatment. A less obvious sign is "wet out" — the term used to describe when parts of your rain jacket look wet, but aren't. Something else to keep in mind is whether your rain jacket contains PFAS (synthetic chemicals used in water- and stain-resistant gear that don't break down easily in the environment). Jackets without PFAS — the more eco-conscious choice — need to be washed about three times more often than those containing these "forever chemicals."

Start by checking the label. It'll tell you if your rain jacket is machine washable, what temperature to use, which wash cycle to select, and whether or not it can be tumble dried. Next, wipe off any obvious remnants from your last adventure (mud, sand, good luck deposits from birds, etc.). Make sure you treat stubborn stains before washing. You can always use DIY a chemical-free spot remover to do this. Zip it up, empty the pockets and close them so there's no chance of anything catching during the wash. When choosing a detergent, opt for a technical fabric cleaner that's free from additives that can negatively impact your jacket's longevity, like Nikwax Tech Wash.

Once your jacket is clean, it's time to reapply heat — a crucial step in restoring its water-repellent powers. If the label allows, pop it in the dryer on a low to medium setting for about 20 minutes. The warmth helps reactivate the durable water repellent (DWR) coating baked into the fabric. No dryer? No problem. You can use a warm (not hot) iron instead. Turn off the steam setting, and place a thin cloth between the iron and your jacket to avoid direct contact. Finally, if your rain jacket isn't keeping you dry anymore, you'll need to use a spray-on DWR product, like Nikwax TX.Direct Spray-on Waterproofing, to restore its waterproof properties. You can do this after washing when your jacket is still wet. Once you've sprayed it on, put the jacket into the dryer to help the formula bond with the fabric.