How to Wash & Reproof a Ski Jacket (So It Stays Waterproof)

A ski jacket that has stopped keeping you dry usually isn't broken - it's just dirty or overdue for reproofing. Here's exactly how to bring it back to life, plus how often to do it and how to store it right.

Short answer Wash your jacket with a technical wash (never regular detergent) on a gentle, cool cycle, then tumble dry on low to reactivate the water-repellent finish. When water stops beading on the surface, reproof it with a wash-in or spray-on DWR treatment. Done once or twice a season, this restores waterproofing and keeps the jacket performing for years.

• Wash with a technical wash - never regular detergent or fabric softener.
• Cool, gentle cycle, then tumble dry low to reactivate the finish.
• Water no longer beading? Time to reproof (wash-in or spray-on DWR).
• Do this 1–2 times a season, and always store the jacket clean and dry.

Most ski jackets have a DWR coating (Durable Water Repellent) on the outer fabric. It's what makes water bead up and roll off. Over time, dirt, body oils, sunscreen and general wear clog and wear down that coating, so water soaks into the outer face instead of beading - a problem called “wetting out.”

Here's the part most people miss: when the outer fabric wets out, the jacket also stops breathing properly, so you feel clammy and damp from the inside even though the waterproof membrane underneath is still fine. In other words, a jacket can feel like it's “leaking” when it actually just needs a clean. The good news is that washing and reproofing restores both the beading and the breathability - and it's easy to do at home.

• A technical wash - a cleaner made for waterproof gear (e.g. Nikwax Tech Wash or similar)
• A DWR reproofer - wash-in or spray-on
• Your washing machine and dryer
• The jacket's care label - always check it first

The single most important rule: avoid regular laundry detergent and fabric softener entirely. Here's what each product actually does to your jacket.

Product	What it does to the DWR	Result on the slopes
Technical wash	Cleans away dirt and oils without stripping or clogging the coating; revives breathability.	Beading preserved - jacket keeps working
Regular detergent	Leaves water-attracting residues that clog the DWR.	Worse wetting out over time
Fabric softener	Coats the fibres and smothers the DWR and breathable membrane.	Kills performance - hardest to reverse

Rule of thumb: if it isn't labelled for waterproof/technical fabrics, keep it away from your ski kit.

Before you worry about a leak, it helps to know what your jacket is rated to handle. Waterproofing is measured in millimetres (mm) - the height of a water column the fabric can hold back before it lets water through. Higher isn't always “better” for everyone; it's about matching the rating to your conditions.

Rating	Handles	Best for
5,000 mm (5K)	Light rain, dry powder, short outings	Entry level, cold-and-dry resorts
10,000 mm (10K)	Average snow and rain, a full resort day	Most casual to intermediate skiers
15,000 mm (15K)	Heavy snow, wet conditions, all-day riding	Regular skiers who want to stay dry in anything
20,000 mm (20K)	Prolonged wet, sitting in snow, hard charging	Frequent skiers, park laps, backcountry days
28,000 mm+ (28K)	Extreme, sustained wet exposure	Pro / expedition use

Every YEEFINE ski jacket is built with genuine 15,000 mm+ and 20,000 mm waterproofing - the range most people actually need for real resort days.

1. Check the care label for any specific instructions or temperature limits - it always wins over a general guide.
2. Prep the jacket - empty the pockets, close all zips and Velcro, and loosen any drawcords.
3. Clean out the detergent drawer so no old soap residue transfers onto the jacket.
4. Add technical wash per the bottle's instructions - not regular detergent.
5. Wash on a gentle, cool cycle (around 30 °C / warm-to-cool), as the label allows.
6. Rinse well - run an extra rinse if needed to clear all residue.
7. Tumble dry on low heat (if the label permits). Gentle heat helps reactivate the DWR and restore beading. No dryer? Air dry fully, then warm gently with a cool iron (cloth between iron and jacket) or a hairdryer on low.

Often a proper wash and low tumble-dry is enough to bring the beading back. If it isn't, it's time to reproof. Here are the settings at a glance:

Setting	Do	Avoid
Cleaner	Technical / tech wash	Detergent, fabric softener
Zips & Velcro	All closed	Left open (snags fabric)
Cycle	Gentle / delicate	Heavy / high spin
Temperature	Cool–warm, ~30 °C	Hot washes
Drying	Tumble low (reactivates DWR)	High heat
Ironing	Low + cloth barrier, if label allows	Direct / high heat

Can you tumble dry a ski jacket?

Usually yes, on low heat, if the care label allows - the gentle warmth helps reactivate the DWR finish so water beads again. Always check the label first, because some jackets (and most down-insulated pieces) should be air dried. If in doubt, air dry fully and then warm the outer gently.

You don't have to guess. Hang the clean jacket up and pour a little water over the shoulders. If the water beads and rolls off, the DWR is intact and you're done. If the fabric darkens and soaks it up, the coating has worn through and it's time to reproof. It's the simplest way to know whether a wash was enough - a check recommended by care specialists like Nikwax in their ski-jacket care guide.

Reproofing re-applies the water-repellent coating. There are two methods, and the right one depends on your jacket's construction.

	Wash-in reproofer	Spray-on reproofer
How it works	Added to the machine; coats the whole garment evenly	Sprayed onto the clean, damp outer face only
Best for	Shells & jackets without a wicking lining	Jackets with a lining/membrane you don't want treated inside
Pros	Fast, thorough, reaches seams and cuffs	Targeted, protects inner breathability
Cons	Can dull breathability on lined garments	More effort; easy to miss spots

Wash-in method (easiest)

1. Wash the jacket first (as above) and leave it clean and damp.

2. Add the wash-in DWR product to the machine per its instructions.

3.  Run a gentle cycle, then tumble dry on low to cure the finish.

Spray-on method (best for lined jackets)

1.  Wash the jacket and leave it clean and damp.

2.  Lay it flat and spray the DWR evenly over the whole outer surface.

3.  Wipe off any excess, then tumble dry on low (or air dry then warm gently) to set it.

Either works - follow the product's directions. If you want the manufacturer's own walkthrough, Nikwax's Tech Wash page covers dosing and hard-water tips.

• Wash when the jacket is visibly dirty or the beading fades - usually once or twice a season.
• Reproof only when water stops beading, not every wash. As a guide, care makers suggest you can typically clean a jacket several times (around five to six washes) before it needs re-waterproofing.
• Washing more than needed isn't necessary - but a neglected, dirty jacket loses waterproofing faster, so don't leave it caked in dirt all season.

The same routine applies to the rest of your kit - anything with a waterproof outer benefits from a technical wash and the occasional reproof. Treat your ski pants, bibs and one-piece ski suits exactly like a jacket: close all fastenings, use tech wash on a cool gentle cycle, and reproof when they wet out. One-piece suits pick up the most wear at the seat and knees, so those are the first areas to check with the water test.

How you store it matters as much as how you wash it.

• Always store it clean and completely dry - never damp (that risks mildew and smells).
• Hang it on a wide hanger rather than stuffing it in a drawer, so the fabric keeps its shape.
• Keep it somewhere cool, dry and out of direct sunlight.
• Give it a wash and reproof before you pack it away, so it's ready to go next season.

Problem	Likely cause	Fix
Water soaks in / wets out	DWR worn or clogged with dirt & oils	Wash with tech wash, then reproof
Clammy & damp inside	Outer wetted out, so it can't breathe	Clean and reproof to restore breathability
White streaks after washing	Detergent residue in fabric or drawer	Rewash with tech wash + extra rinse; clean the drawer
Musty smell	Stored damp, or body-oil build-up	Wash with tech wash, dry fully, store dry
Leaking along seams	Damaged seam tape (not a wash issue)	Seam-tape repair; if widespread, replace
Outer bubbling / peeling	Membrane delamination from age or high heat	Can't be washed back - check warranty / replace

• Regular detergent & fabric softener - they clog the DWR.
• High heat - check the label; excess heat can damage fabrics and taped seams.
• Dry cleaning - unless the label specifically allows it.
• Ironing on high or directly - always use low heat with a cloth barrier.
• Storing it dirty or damp - the fastest way to ruin a good jacket.

Can I wash a ski jacket in a regular washing machine?

Yes. Use a technical wash (not regular detergent) on a gentle, cool cycle with all zips closed. Avoid fabric softener, and tumble dry on low afterwards to reactivate the water-repellent finish.

Why is my ski jacket not waterproof anymore?

Usually the DWR coating has worn down or clogged with dirt and oils, so water soaks into the outer fabric instead of beading. Washing and reproofing restores the beading and waterproofing.

How do I make my ski jacket waterproof again?

Wash it with a technical wash, then apply a wash-in or spray-on DWR reproofer and tumble dry on low to cure it. This re-applies the water-repellent coating and restores beading.

How often should I reproof my ski jacket?

Only when water stops beading on the surface - typically once or twice a season, and often after every five to six washes. You don't need to reproof after every wash.

Can I put a ski jacket in the dryer?

Usually yes, on low heat, if the care label allows - gentle heat helps reactivate the DWR finish. Always check the label first, as some jackets should be air dried.

Should I wash my ski jacket before storing it for summer?

Yes. Always store your jacket clean and completely dry. Washing (and reproofing if needed) before you pack it away prevents dirt setting in and keeps it ready for next season.

YEEFINE ski jackets are made in our own factory with genuine 15,000 mm+ and 20,000 mm waterproofing - real performance without the designer markup. Care for one well and it'll keep you dry for years. Shop men's ski wear      Shop women's ski wear

Related: waterproof ski jackets · shell jackets · insulated jackets · kids ski wear