How to Wash a Rain Jacket | Keep It Waterproof

Wash your rain jacket on a cold, gentle cycle with a mild technical detergent, then air dry — this keeps the waterproof coating working.

Washing a rain jacket wrong — fabric softener, bleach, or leftover detergent residue — is the fastest way to kill its water repellency. The fix for a soggy, wet-out jacket is usually as simple as cleaning it properly. Most brands converge on the same steps: cold or cool water, gentle cycle, a mild cleaner made for technical gear, a thorough rinse, and air drying. Here’s exactly how to do it without damaging the membrane or DWR coating.

What You Need to Wash a Rain Jacket

Before you start, gather the right supplies. The single most important choice is your detergent.

• A mild detergent made for technical gear — Nikwax Tech Wash® is recommended by multiple brands including Macpac and Rab. REI also recommends dedicated waterproofing cleaners.
• Alternatively, a non-biological liquid detergent or liquid pure soap works if you don’t have a technical cleaner.
• A soft brush or microfiber cloth for spot-cleaning dirty areas like cuffs and collars before the wash.
• A protective mesh bag — Macpac recommends this to shield the jacket during the cycle.

Do not use fabric softener, bleach, or powdered or heavy-duty detergents. Several brands state plainly that these can damage the membrane or waterproof coating.

Step-by-Step: How to Machine Wash a Rain Jacket

Machine washing is safe for most standard rain jackets, shells, and raincoats — as long as you follow a few rules and always defer to the care label if it says something different.

1. Prepare the jacket. Empty all pockets, close every zipper, and fasten Velcro®, snaps, and self-fastening tabs. Rains advises turning the jacket inside out to protect a PU-coated surface.
2. Pre-treat stains. Spot-clean dirty areas with a soft sponge, microfiber cloth, or soft brush. Jack Wolfskin suggests gall soap for stubborn grime.
3. Set the machine. Wash on a cold or cool cycle — about 30°C (85°F) — on a gentle or delicates program. Rab recommends about 30°C with a low spin. The North Face specifies a cold, gentle cycle.
4. Add the right detergent. Follow the dosage on the bottle. Ensure the detergent compartment has no leftover harsh detergent, as The North Face warns.
5. Run a rinse cycle. Patagonia emphasizes a thorough rinse to remove oils and contaminants. REI notes some brands suggest warm water plus a second rinse if residue remains.
6. Dry correctly. Hang the jacket to air dry completely — this is the safest default. If the care label allows, Rab and Patagonia say you can tumble dry on low heat for 20–30 minutes, which can also help reactivate the DWR treatment.

Never dry on high heat, and never iron directly on the jacket. Rains says if ironing is absolutely necessary, place a cotton cloth between the iron and the jacket.

Should You Re-Waterproof After Washing?

Washing removes dirt and oils, but it also gradually wears down the durable water repellent (DWR) finish. If your jacket still “wets out” — the outer fabric soaks through instead of beading water — after a proper wash, it’s time to reapply a reproofing treatment.

Choose a DWR or waterproofing product designed for your jacket’s fabric type, like Nikwax’s spray-on or wash-in treatments. Apply it to a clean, damp jacket, then either air dry or tumble dry on low if the label permits. Storing a jacket before it’s fully dry invites mildew, so always let it dry completely. For a jacket ready for replacement, check our picks for a 5XL rain jacket that fits larger frames.

How often you wash matters less than how you do it. A grimy jacket with a clogged DWR finish performs worse than a clean one, so wash it whenever it’s visibly dirty or starts wetting out. Between washes, spot-clean with a soft cloth and hang it to air out after rainy hikes.