Caring for your shell jacket

• Machine wash – most shell jackets can go in a front-loading machine.
• Gentle cycle, cold water protects the membrane and the seam tape.
• Mild detergent: a mild soap or a cleaner made for waterproof gear. No fabric softener, bleach or stain remover.

For small marks, use a damp cloth and a little mild soap instead of washing the whole jacket.

• Hang to dry – the safest way to keep the waterproofing intact.
• Tumble dry on low if you prefer. The gentle heat also helps reactivate the DWR coating.

When water no longer beads on the surface, the DWR coating has worn off. Treat the jacket with a spray-on or wash-in DWR product.

How to reapply DWR

Some jackets benefit from a low-heat iron without steam to reactivate the DWR. Check the care label first, and always use a cloth between the iron and the jacket.

• Hang it in a cool, dry place – not compressed in a stuff sack for long periods.
• Make sure it is completely dry before you put it away.

• Dry cleaning – it damages membranes and coatings.
• High heat from dryers, radiators or long periods in direct sun.
• Strong detergents, bleach and fabric softener – they strip the waterproof coating.