How To Clean And Reproof Your Snowboard Jacket And Pants
With winter approaching, now is the time to make sure your snowboard jacket and pants are in peak condition ready to face the snow, so we thought we'd explain how to clean and re-waterproof them, whether they're made using GORE-TEX, DryVent, FUTURELIGHT or another waterproof/breathable fabric.
All waterproof clothing is treated with a durable water repellent (DWR) that makes water bead and roll off the fabric, but with use this eventually wears off.
The performance of technical waterproof outerwear is based upon its ability to repel water and allow moisture from within to escape. Once water begins to soak into the outer fabric of your jacket or pants, it loses this quality.
While the inner membrane will still ensure the garment is waterproof, it won't be able to let sweat escape, meaning you'll get damp inside anyway – you're essentially wearing a plastic bag!
Don't stress - you can easily clean and restore your gear at home using a technical wash such as Granger's or Nikwax.
Do not use standard detergent/conditioner as this will harm the performance.
How to Clean and Reproof your snowboard clothing with Grangers
Products Needed: Granger's Performance Wash, Granger's Clothing Repel/Granger's Performance Repel Spray or Granger's Wash & Repel Clothing 2 in 1
Cleaning with Grangers
1. Ensure there are no detergent or fabric conditioner residues in your washing machine by cleaning out the trays and letting it run empty on a rinse setting.
2. Gently rinse off any thick dirt from your garment by hand, then do up all zips and Velcro before putting it in the machine.
3. Using the required amount depending on how many garments you're washing, put the recommended amount of cleaner in your tray and pop the washing machine on a 30° cycle.
4. Allow the garment to drip dry or tumble dry if the garment label allows; helping to re-activate any remaining repellent. If using Wash + Repel 2 in 1, heat activation is required. Tumble dry on low/medium setting or use an iron or hairdryer gently to apply heat.
Reproofing with Grangers
Option 1 Clothing Repel Wash-In: After cleaning your jacket and pants, add the proofing solution in your tray and put on a 30° cycle. Allow the garment to drip dry or tumble dry if the garment label allows; helping to further activate the new coating of repellent.
Option 2 Performance Repel Spray: Take the freshly cleaned garment while still wet, and lay out on a flat surface. Spray an even coat from 15cm away, dabbing away any excess with a damp cloth. Allow to air dry or tumble dry on a low heat if your garment label allows.
How to Clean and Reproof your snowboard clothing with Nikwax
Products Needed: Nikwax TX Tech Wash, Nikwax TX.Direct Wash-in or Nikwax TX.Direct Spray-On
Cleaning with Nikwax
1. Ensure there are no detergent or fabric conditioner residues in your washing machine by cleaning out the trays and letting it run empty on a rinse setting.
2. Gently rinse off any thick dirt from your garment by hand, then do up all zips and Velcro before putting it in the machine.
3. Using the required amount depending on how many garments you're washing (Nikwax recommend no more than two), pour the product in your tray and pop the washing machine on a 30° cycle.
Reproofing with Nikwax
Option 1 TX.Direct Wash-In: Leave the garment in the washing machine after cleaning, add the TX Direct to the tray and run on another 30° cycle. Air dry or tumble dry depending on care label instructions.
Option 2 TX.Direct Spray: Take the freshly cleaned garment while still wet, and lay out on a flat surface. Spray an even coat from 15cm away, dabbing away any excess with a damp cloth. Allow to air dry or tumble dry on low heat if care label allows.
