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How do I wash a GORE-TEX jacket or pants?
The same general washing routine applies to most GORE-TEX outerwear, including jackets and trousers, but the garment label takes priority. GORE-TEX advises following the garment maker’s care instructions because construction and trim can affect what is safe.
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- Check the care label. If it differs from the general steps below, follow the garment’s instructions.
- Prepare the garment. Zip the front, pockets, and pit zips completely. Fasten loose flaps and straps.
- Machine-wash. Use a wash temperature of 105°F/40°C and a small amount of liquid detergent. Set the machine to rinse twice and minimize spinning. Avoid washing the garment with heavily soiled clothing.
- Leave out harsh or residue-forming products. Do not use powder detergent, fabric softener, stain remover, or bleach.
These settings follow GORE-TEX’s outerwear care instructions and its care FAQ.
Do I need special detergent for GORE-TEX?
No special technical cleaner is required by the care guidance here: GORE-TEX recommends a small amount of suitable liquid detergent and advises against powder detergent, softener, and bleach. A dedicated cleaner is an option, not a requirement. For example, Nikwax describes Tech Wash as suitable for GORE-TEX garments.
#1 Best Overall
- Clean 20 jackets or 5 sleeping bags with a 10 fl oz of this concentrated, low suds detergent; safe for all technical gear including GORE-TEX jackets
- Restore breathability, water repellency and warmth by removing dirt and oils; ideal technical wash before Revivex water repellent treatment
- Wash insulated and soft-shell garments with this gentle formula that’s free of fragrances, softeners and optical brighteners; leaves no soap residue
- Use this specialized cleaner to restore gear in three ways: spot clean, hand wash, or machine wash
- Packaging may vary
How should I dry a GORE-TEX garment and reactivate its DWR?
After washing, either line dry or use a warm, gentle tumble-dry setting; avoid high heat. Once the garment is dry, tumble it for a further 20 minutes. This heat step is intended to reactivate the DWR already on the fabric, not to add a new treatment.
If you do not have a dryer, GORE-TEX permits a gentle iron setting with a cloth between the iron and garment, using no steam—but only when the care label allows it. See the GORE-TEX instructions before using that alternative.
Rank #2
- 2 in 1 wash and restore water-proofing in one step
- Cleans, deodorizes/ maximizes breathability
- Water repellent restored/ meets the GORE-TEX standard
- Adds no scent or optical brighteners/ perfect for hunters
- Voc Free/ bluesign certified
How do I know whether the jacket or pants need reproofing?
Once the garment has been washed and dried, sprinkle or splash water onto its face fabric. If the water beads and runs off, there is no indication from this check that you need to apply more DWR. If it spreads out or soaks into the face fabric instead, reapply DWR with a pump-spray or wash-in product, following that product’s directions. GORE-TEX says to use heat to activate a new treatment where both the garment and product instructions permit it.
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Choose the application method to suit the garment and its construction. Nikwax, for example, positions TX.Direct Spray-On for garments with wicking liners and for targeted application. Its TX.Direct Wash-In is applied by machine or by hand and is described for breathable waterproof jackets and trousers. These are product-specific examples, not an independent test ranking; follow the directions for the exact DWR treatment and your garment rather than combining instructions from different products.
Rank #3
- Specialty Cleaner for Down-Filled Items: Designed to safely clean down filled apparel and gear without leaving water attracting residues that household detergents can leave behind
- Easy Wash-In Application: Improves the water repellency of all types of down-fill as well as the outer fabric while maintaining loft and insulating properties of down filled items
- Recommended Use: Suitable for use on jackets, gear and bedding with down-fill, down blends, or water resistant down such as Nikwax Hydrophobic Down
- PFAS-Free Formula: Water based, non-persistent formulation that contains no optical brighteners or added scent and is machine wash safe
- Convenient Dosage: One full cap of product is approximately 50ml for easy measurement and application
Does wetting out mean my GORE-TEX garment is leaking?
Not by itself. DWR helps water bead and roll off the garment’s outer fabric. If that fabric becomes saturated, it can feel cold, damp, or clammy against the wearer even while the GORE-TEX membrane remains waterproof. Reduced beading is therefore a reason to clean the garment and restore its DWR, but it alone does not establish membrane failure. GORE-TEX explains this distinction in its FAQ and its overview of DWR in GORE-TEX products.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How do I care for GORE-TEX SHAKEDRY?
SHAKEDRY is a construction-specific exception: it has no textile outer layer, and its membrane forms the outside surface, so it does not need DWR. GORE-TEX’s special instructions say to wash it on delicate at 105°F/40°C. Do not dry clean, tumble dry, iron, bleach, or apply DWR. Check the garment label before washing because these restrictions apply to SHAKEDRY products, not all GORE-TEX outerwear. See the GORE-TEX outerwear care instructions and FAQ.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- POWERFUL CLEANING – Performance Wash is a concentrated, easy-to-use, technical outerwear cleaner. Removes dirt and odors from all men and women’s waterproof hiking, running, cycling and outdoor jackets and pants. Performance Wash is unscented with a neutral smell and contains no optical brightners.
- RESTORES REPELLENCY & BREATHABILITY – this easy-to-use cleaner, removes dirt to restore any existing repellency and maintains original fabric membrane breathability.
- ECO-RESPONSIBLE – Grangers’ products are cruelty-free and eco-friendly. This water-based, PFC-free (fluorocarbon free), bluesign approved formulation comes in a 100% recycled plastic bottle helping to prevent plastic wastage and is widely recyclable.
- SUITABLE FOR GORE-TEX – This machine wash cleaner is suitable for all men and women’s breathable, waterproof clothing and fabrics including Gore-Tex, eVent, Pertex and FutureLight.
- CONCENTRATED: The updated formulation provides 12 washes per 10oz/300 ml bottle, regardless of hard or soft water.
Rank #4
- POWERFUL CLEANING – Performance Wash is a concentrated, easy-to-use, technical outerwear cleaner. Removes dirt and odors from all men and women’s waterproof hiking, running, cycling and outdoor jackets and pants. Performance Wash is unscented with a neutral smell and contains no optical brightners.
- RESTORES REPELLENCY & BREATHABILITY – this easy-to-use cleaner, removes dirt to restore any existing repellency and maintains original fabric membrane breathability.
- ECO-RESPONSIBLE – Grangers’ products are cruelty-free and eco-friendly. This water-based, PFC-free (fluorocarbon free), bluesign approved formulation comes in a much lighter pouch that contains 72% less plastic packaging to further reduce our carbon footprint.
- SUITABLE FOR GORE-TEX – This machine wash cleaner is suitable for all men and women’s breathable, waterproof clothing and fabrics including Gore-Tex, eVent, Pertex and FutureLight.
- CONCENTRATED – The updated formulation provides 40 washes per 33.8oz/1 Liter Pouch, regardless of hard or soft water.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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