How to Care for Your GORE-TEX Jacket: A Complete Guide

When it comes to outdoor adventures, your GORE-TEX jacket is
a reliable companion, shielding you from wind, rain, and snow. To ensure your
jacket stays functional and lasts for years, regular maintenance is essential.

Follow these simple steps to care for your GORE-TEX jacket, and you'll keep it performing at its best season after season.

Why Regular Care Matters

GORE-TEX fabrics are designed to keep you dry and comfortable by combining waterproof, windproof, and breathable properties. Over time, dirt, sweat, and oil can reduce its effectiveness, and the Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating may wear off. Washing and reapplying DWR when needed will restore your jacket’s water-shedding abilities and maintain its breathability.

Step-by-Step Care Guide

Step 1: Wash Your Jacket Properly

Zip up the front, pockets, and pit zips completely. Secure any loose flaps and straps to prevent damage.

Machine Wash - Use a gentle cycle with water at 105°F/40°C. Add a small amount of liquid detergent—avoid powders, fabric softeners, bleach, or stain removers. Rinse twice to ensure all detergent is removed. Minimise spinning to reduce creasing.

Pro Tip: Don’t wash your GORE-TEX jacket with heavily soiled clothing to avoid contamination.

Step 2: Dry It Carefully

Use a warm, gentle cycle in the dryer, or hang the jacket to line dry. Avoid high temperatures as they can damage the fabric.

Now it's time to reactivate the DWR. Once the jacket is dry, tumble dry it for an additional 20 minutes. This heat helps restore the water-repellent properties. If you don’t have access to a dryer, use an iron on a low, gentle setting. Protect the fabric by placing a towel or cloth between the jacket and the iron. Avoid using steam.

Step 3: Reapply DWR When Needed

First you need to assess the water repellency of your jacket. If water stops beading on the surface of your jacket, it’s time to reapply DWR.

Apply DWR Treatment- Choose a spray-on or wash-in DWR product and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. After applying, tumble dry the jacket for 20 minutes or iron it gently (with a towel or cloth in between).

Note: GORE-TEX SHAKEDRY™ garments don’t require DWR as their outer layer is the GORE-TEX membrane itself.

Special Care for GORE-TEX SHAKEDRY™ Garments

SHAKEDRY™ products are unique, with a persistent beading surface that doesn’t require DWR. For these garments:

Machine wash on a delicate cycle at 105°F/40°C.

Do not dry clean, tumble dry, iron, or bleach