RESTORING WATER REPELLENCY

Many of our products are protected by a DWR (durable water repellent) treatment, some general outdoor or urban lifestyle products by a PFC_EC free DWR. Either way, the treatment needs to be refreshed to keep it as effective as possible. Whether you own something from the original GORE-TEX products range, or the new GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ products range, all the information you need to know about restoring water repellency is right here.

ORIGINAL GORE-TEX PRODUCTS Range

GORE-TEX Outerwear

Machine washing then drying your garment is the most effective way to restore the water repellency of your jackets and other outwear. Follow the wash instructions for your product, then line dry your garment, or tumble dry it on a warm, gentle cycle.
Once it’s dry, tumble dry your garment for a further 20 minutes—this will reactivate the durable water-repellent (DWR) treatment.
If you can’t tumble dry, iron the dry garment on gentle setting (warm, no steam) by placing a towel or cloth between the garment and the iron.
When the factory applied treatment can no longer be reactivated by washing and drying, apply a new water-repellent treatment—available as a pump-spray or a wash-in product. Following spray application, tumble dry your garment for 20 minutes.
Do not apply water repellency treatment (DWR) to GORE-TEX Active SHAKEDRY™ garments. To restore their water repellency, simply wash and dry these jackets following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Always check the manufacturer’s care instructions on the label of your outerwear before doing anything.

GORE-TEX Footwear

Once water no longer beads and runs off after cleaning your footwear, you’ll need to reapply a durable water repellent (DWR). Check which treatment is recommended by the manufacturer of your footwear, and follow their instructions carefully.
We do not recommend the use of waterproofing waxes or greases as they can seriously affect your footwear's breathability. Apply only treatments, polishes, conditioners, and dressings recommended by the manufacturer.
Always check the manufacturer’s care instructions on the label of your footwear before doing anything.

GORE-TEX Gloves

Washing and drying your gloves correctly helps to maintain their water repellency.
When water no longer beads and runs off after washing and drying, you’ll need to reapply a durable water repellent (DWR). Use a water repellent spray for textile gloves. Or, water based leather care product for leather gloves.
Always check the manufacturer’s care instructions on the label of your gloves before doing anything.

GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ PRODUCTS

GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ garments with persistent beading

Do not apply water repellency treatment (DWR) to garments with persistent beading, as it may reduce rather than improve water repellency.
When the surface of your jacket gets dirty or otherwise contaminated, water repellency might be impacted.
To restore the water repellency, your jacket should be washed as described in our wash and care instructions. Rinsing twice is an important step for each washing.

GORE® WINDSTOPPER® products

Machine washing then drying your garment is the most effective way to restore the water repellency of your product.
Follow the wash instructions on the product, then line dry it, or tumble dry it on a warm, gentle cycle.
When it’s dry, tumble dry your garment for another 20 minutes on a warm (not hot) setting. This reactivates the DWR treatment.
If you can’t tumble dry, iron the dry garment on a gentle setting (warm, no steam) by placing a towel or cloth between the garment and the iron.
When the factory-applied treatment can no longer be reactivated, apply a new water-repellent treatment. You can buy this as a pump-spray, or a wash-in product. Follow the instructions on the label.
Always check the manufacturer’s care instructions on the label of your jackets before doing anything.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DWR

WHAT IS DWR?

Many GORE-TEX products and some GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ products are treated with an ultra-thin durable water repellent (DWR), a polymer that’s applied to the outermost fabric layer. DWR reduces the surface tension of the fabric, so that water simply rolls off.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

If water saturates your garment’s outer fabric layer you can feel damp and clammy – even if your product isn’t leaking. Restoring your product’s DWR means you’ll stay more comfortable and more protected.

WHY DO I NEED TO RESTORE IT?

DWR isn’t permanent. Regular wear and tear, exposure to dirt, detergents, insect repellent, and other materials can shorten its lifespan. The good news: restoring the water repellency of your GORE-TEX product is extremely easy.