Our rain jackets are some of the hardest-working pieces of outerwear in our entire wardrobes. They’re constantly inundated with all sorts of harsh weather, and we thank them for their service. When put in the face of rain, snow, sleet and hail, raincoats can occasionally get dingy and stained. But there are a few simple things you can do to care for your rain jacket so it stays in the game for the long-term. Follow these simple tips and tricks to maintain the quality of your rain jacket for the next few rainy seasons.
Step One: Know Your Materials
Just like any garment, you should know the material before you begin any cleaning endeavor. If you have a monogrammed rain jacket from Marleylilly, you’ll be happy to know that ours are made of easy-care materials such as 100 percent polyester, polyurethane and nylon. Of course, you should always reference the care instructions tag before cleaning any piece of clothing, but as general guidelines, here’s how to clean these materials:
Polyester—Cleaning your polyester rain jacket is super-simple. If the tag says it’s machine-washable, you can toss it in the laundry and wash with warm water and then dry on warm (not hot). For spot cleaning, you can make your own gentle cleaner with diluted white vinegar and water. Note that some polyester should be dry cleaned only.
Polyurethane—Many brands use polyurethane for raincoats because it’s amazing at repelling water. However, this material is a type of plastic and therefore should not be machine-washed or dry cleaned. The good news is that these jackets are relatively stain- and odor-resistant, so you won’t need to wash them as often as other kinds of outerwear. To clean a polyurethane raincoat, spot clean with diluted detergent and a soft cloth.
Nylon—Nylon is a lighter weight fabric that acts as a shield against moisture and wind (think of “shell” material), so it’s often employed in outerwear. The good news is that it’s pretty easy to care for, so many nylon jackets are machine-washable. If so, be sure to wash on cold water with a mild detergent. You can spot clean nylon using a mild detergent, water and a soft cloth.
Quick Tips for Caring for Your Raincoat
If you have an extra-special raincoat, like your favorite personalized rain jacket from our store, then you want to do everything you can to keep it in tip-top shape for those cold, wet months. Here are a few quick tips for how to care for your rain jackets.
Machine Wash with Care—Take some extra care when throwing your machine-washable jackets in the laundry. If there’s any knit or mesh on your jacket, be sure to turn it inside out before machine washing to avoid snags. Dry with cooler temps to prevent shrinking.
Hang It Up Immediately—When you get home after exposing your rain jacket to rain or snow, be sure that you hang it somewhere cool and dry as soon as you get home. As tempting as it may be, don’t hang your raincoat out to dry, so to speak. Always bring it inside to dry off.
Use High-Tech Cleaners—If you put your raincoat through the ringer regularly, then you might want to consider investing in high-tech coat cleaners to get the best clean without damaging the material. Nikwax Tech Wash is often recommended for cleaning waterproof raincoats.
Remove the Hood—If you have any detachable items, be sure to remove them and wash them separately rather than tossing them in the wash attached to the coat. Make sure to empty the pockets and close any zippers and hook-and-loop closures before cleaning.
Keeping Your Raincoat in Tip-Top Shape
By following these simple raincoat care tips, your favorite piece of personalized outerwear will undoubtedly stay in the rotation for years to come. Raincoats are no-doubt durable, but since they’re put in harm’s way on the regular, you might need to put in a tiny bit of extra effort in the cleaning department.