How to Clean a Raincoat

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Even though your raincoat probably spends most of its time exposed to water, it will get dirty with enough use. To discover the best way to wash your raincoat, check the care tag near the collar. Most manufacturers recommend machine washing your raincoat on a gentle setting. Some suggest (or require) washing with a specialized fabric cleaner designed for synthetic fabrics. If you'd prefer, you could take your raincoat to a dry cleaner to ensure it gets a professional treatment.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using the Soap and Water Method

PDF download Download Article
  1. The care label is located on the inside of your raincoat near the collar. It includes information provided by the manufacturer on how to clean your raincoat. Once you've read the care label, follow its instructions closely in order to most effectively clean your raincoat. [1]
  2. Close all buttons, zippers, and loops on your raincoat, including those on the pockets. If your coat has a removable belt, remove it. Place the raincoat in the washing machine. Add a mild, nontoxic, biodegradable detergent. Set the washing machine to delicate or hand wash and run the cycle with cold water. [2]
    • If you have a top-loading machine, check the machine's user manual. Waterproof clothing might interfere with the machine's operation.
    • If you use a regular laundry detergent to clean your raincoat, rinse it twice to remove detergent residue. [3]
    • You might wish to run your raincoat through multiple spin cycles in order to get rid of excess water. [4]
    Advertisement
  3. There are a number of products available that are specially designed to clean your raincoat. While specific instructions for use vary with the product you decide to use, you can generally substitute these products for regular laundry detergent. Simply measure the appropriate amount and pour it into the laundry machine along with your raincoat. [5]
    • Popular products include Nikwax Tech Wash, Atsko's Sport Wash, and ReviveX.
    • When using a synthetic fabric cleaner, you'll probably have to wash the raincoat separately from the rest of your laundry.
    • Check product instructions before using a synthetic fabric cleaner.
  4. Hang your coat using a hanger, or lay it flat in a well-ventilated area. It might be possible to place your raincoat in a dryer on low or even medium heat, though you'll have to zip/button it up first. [6]
    • If placing your raincoat in the dryer, throw in a few towels to absorb excess moisture and soften the coat's impact against the dryer.
    • If you suspect your dryer's low or medium setting is still too high for your raincoat, you could toss an old coat or other garment that you don't care about containing polyester, nylon, or another synthetic fabric into the dryer first to test it. Examine the garment afterwards for flaking or cracks in the material on either the inside or outside.
    • Do not iron your raincoat. The rainproof coating will melt.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Cleaning By Hand or Getting Help

PDF download Download Article
  1. If your raincoat only has a small spill or area that needs cleaning, there's probably no need to subject it to the rigors of a machine wash. Mix a bit of mild liquid dish soap into some warm water until it is sudsy. Dip a clean sponge into the water. Gently wipe away at the spot you're interested in cleaning. [7]
    • Avoid using soaps containing perfumes, enzymes, or surfactants. [8]
  2. Fill your tub or large sink with a shallow layer of hot water. Mix in mild soap flakes until the water is sudsy. Dunk the raincoat in the water. Take it out and place it on a clean, flat surface. Gently scrub the whole coat using a soft sponge or scrubbing brush.
    • Start by scrubbing the outside of the coat, then move on to the inside.
    • Dip your sponge or brush back into the soapy water regularly to prevent it from drying out.
    • Drain the water after you're done cleaning the raincoat. Place the raincoat in the sink or tub and rinse it off with cool water from the faucet or showerhead.
  3. If the instructions provided by the care label seem onerous, or if you suspect that you are unequal to the task of cleaning it, you could choose to take the raincoat to a dry cleaners. If your raincoat has challenging care instructions, your dry cleaner may ask you to sign a waiver conceding that you will not hold them responsible for any damage that might occur in cleaning it. [9]
    • If your raincoat contains polyurethane, do not take it to the dry cleaner. Polyurethane might be listed on the manufacturer's label as “PU” or “PVC.” Coats containing this material will crack and flake off when subjected to dry cleaning.
    4. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can detergent stains come out of a raincoat?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the fabric and the detergent. Most detergents will just wash out or can be wiped off with a damp cloth. If it's waterproof, it should repel anything that gets on it, like most Gortex. If the detergent used has whiteners, you may be out of luck, as some of these have a bleaching solution.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 2
  • Question
    How could I care for a vinyl or PVC raincoat?
    Community Answer
    A lot of liquids can just be wiped off with a wet rag. If you need to clean something off, you can usually use a small amount of laundry detergent on a wet rag.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
  • Question
    Our Lands End mackintoshes have dried out. Can we do anything to soften the rubberized fiber to save the jackets?
    Community Answer
    Spray the rubber with silicone spray. Keep the rubber in the plastic bag for three to seven days. Lift the bagged piece of rubber and bend it to check for pliability. Heat some water in a stew pot on the stove. Set the stew pot in the sink and submerge the rubber in the water to soften it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Never use bleach or fabric softener on your raincoat. They will dissolve the waterproof elements of the coat. [10]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Washing your raincoat too frequently will cause it to deteriorate. Wash your raincoat only after several vigorous uses, or after it has visible stains.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Always read the care instructions to be sure that the method you are using is safe for the material.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Wash Your Clothes
      Simple Steps for Hand-Washing Your Clothes at Home
      How to
      Keep Lint off Clothes in the Dryer
      How to
      Remove Prints from Clothes
      How to
      Unshrink Your Clothes without Ruining Them
      8 Ways to Remove Pilling from Clothing
      How to
      Shrink a Sweater
      The Best and Easiest Ways to Get Lint Off of Your Clothes
      How to
      Clean Suit Jackets at Home
      How to
      Clean a Puffer Jacket: Machine or Hand Washing?
      How to
      Wash a North Face Jacket
      5 Ways to Remove Vaseline & Petroleum Jelly From Clothes
      How to
      Brighten Faded Black Clothing
      How to
      Remove Urine Smell from Clothes
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about laundering clothes, check out our in-depth interview with Jeimy Flournoy .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.gq.com/story/raincoat-cleaning
      2. ↑ https://www.columbia.com/productcare.html
      3. ↑ https://www.outdoorresearch.com/blogs/stories/how-to-wash-gore-tex
      4. ↑ https://community.berghaus.com/knowledge-advice/washing-waterproof-jackets/
      5. ↑ https://skyaboveus.com/wilderness-survival/How-to-waterproof-a-rain-jacket
      6. ↑ https://www.patagonia.com/blog/2008/08/the-care-feedin/
      7. ↑ https://www.gq.com/story/raincoat-cleaning
      8. ↑ https://skyaboveus.com/wilderness-survival/How-to-waterproof-a-rain-jacket
      9. ↑ https://www.gq.com/story/raincoat-cleaning
      1. ↑ https://www.columbia.com/productcare.html

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 102,949 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement