How to Wash a Gore-Tex Jacket

Many people are reluctant to wash a Gore-Tex jacket because they assume washing can damage its waterproof performance. In reality, Gore-Tex garments are designed to be washed, and regular cleaning is an important part of maintaining how they perform.

During use, sweat, body oils, sunscreen and dirt gradually accumulate in the garment. Much of this contamination may be difficult to see, but over time it can affect breathability and reduce the performance of the Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment on the outer fabric.

This can make a shell feel increasingly clammy during activity or cause the face fabric to absorb water rather than bead it. Neither necessarily means that the waterproof membrane has failed. In many cases, the garment simply needs to be cleaned.

Waiting until a jacket looks visibly dirty can therefore mean waiting longer than necessary.

Not necessarily. Water beading and waterproofness are related, but they are not the same thing.

The DWR treatment controls what happens on the surface of the garment, helping water bead and roll off the face fabric. The waterproof membrane sits underneath and controls whether water can pass through the garment. This means a jacket can stop beading effectively while the membrane remains waterproof.

When the DWR becomes less effective, the face fabric can begin to absorb water, often referred to as “wetting out”. The jacket may then feel heavier and clammy, and breathability can be reduced even though rain is still being prevented from passing through the membrane.

Poor water beading is therefore usually a reason to clean and maintain the garment before assuming the waterproof membrane has failed. Start by washing the jacket and using heat to reactivate the existing DWR. If water still does not bead effectively after washing and drying, apply a spray-on DWR treatment to the clean garment and dry it again.

→ How to Restore DWR

As a general guideline, we recommend washing Gore-Tex garments after around 150 hours of use, or sooner when the condition and performance of the garment indicate that cleaning is needed.

Look for signs that washing may be needed:

• Breathability has noticeably decreased.
• The jacket feels clammy during activity.
• Sweat, sunscreen or body oils have accumulated, particularly around the neck, cuffs and hood.
• Water no longer beads effectively on the surface.
• The jacket has seen repeated or particularly dirty use.

The 150-hour guideline is not something you need to track precisely. How the garment is used and how it performs are more useful indicators in practice. A shell exposed to frequent sweat, dirt and prolonged use may need washing sooner than one used occasionally in cleaner conditions.

Once your Gore-Tex jacket shows signs that it needs washing, the process is straightforward. The important things are using the right detergent, rinsing thoroughly and using heat after washing to help maintain the DWR treatment.

The instructions below reflect how we generally recommend washing Norrøna Gore-Tex garments. Always check the care label first, as individual garments may have specific requirements.

• Empty all pockets.
• Close zippers, pockets and Velcro® adjustments.
• Loosen drawcords.
• Avoid washing the garment together with heavily soiled clothing.

• Wash at 40°C using a gentle cycle.
• Use a small amount of mild liquid detergent suitable for technical outdoor clothing. A dedicated technical wash is ideal.
• Do not use fabric softener, stain remover, rinsing agents or bleach.
• Rinse the garment twice if possible.
• Minimize spinning.

Dry the garment on a warm, gentle cycle. Once it is dry, tumble dry it for a further 20 minutes to help reactivate the existing DWR treatment.

If you do not have access to a dryer, the garment can be ironed on a gentle setting without steam to reactivate the DWR. Always check the care label before ironing.

Once the garment is dry, test the outer fabric with a little water. If water beads and rolls off, the existing DWR is working effectively. If the face fabric continues to absorb water, apply a spray-on DWR treatment and dry the garment again.

→ How to Restore DWR

Most mistakes when washing a Gore-Tex jacket are easy to avoid:

• Waiting until the jacket looks dirty. Wash your shell based on use and performance, not simply when visible dirt appears.
• Ignoring the care label. Washing and drying instructions can vary between garments, so always check the care label first.
• Using fabric softener or unsuitable detergents. These can leave residues that affect the garment's performance.
• Using too much detergent. Excess detergent can leave residues behind, so use only the amount needed.
• Storing the jacket while damp. Allow it to dry completely before storing it.
• Assuming poor water beading means the membrane has failed. The waterproof membrane may still be working normally even when the DWR is no longer performing effectively.

Yes. Regular washing does more than maintain breathability and water repellency. Sweat, body oils and dirt left in a shell over time can also affect the materials and adhesives that hold the garment together. Keeping a Gore-Tex jacket clean can therefore help reduce premature wear and delamination as well as maintain its performance.

Combined with proper drying, DWR maintenance and repair when needed, regular cleaning can help extend the useful life of a shell jacket. Good care allows technical clothing to keep doing its job for longer.

Gore-Tex jackets are designed to be washed. Regular cleaning removes dirt, sweat and body oils that can affect breathability and DWR performance over time.

Wash your shell at 40°C on a gentle cycle with a small amount of mild liquid technical detergent. Rinse thoroughly, avoid fabric softener and use heat after washing to help reactivate the DWR.

Washing is not something to avoid. It is part of maintaining a shell jacket and helping it perform well for longer. Combined with DWR maintenance and timely repair, regular cleaning can extend the useful life of the garment.