KEEP IT CLEAN
> WASH IT . You have to—dirt attracts water, which can defeat your jacket's DWR finish. To do away with minor grime, machine-wash it in warm water without using detergent.

> IF A JACKET IS really dirty, you can machine-wash with mild powdered detergent or, even better, nondetergent Nikwax Tech Wash. Rinse it twice to thoroughly eliminate residue.

> NEVER USE BLEACH or fabric softeners, and never dry-clean a waterproof shell. Dry-cleaning solvents are cruel to water-resistant formulas.

> DRY YOUR JACKET on the "low" setting in a conventional dryer, or steam-iron it on "warm"or "synthetic." Either process will distribute the DWR treatment over the garment's entire surface.

RESTORE IT
> CONSTANT WASHINGS and wearings will break down and rub off DWR finishes. Then it's time to
apply an aftermarket DWR such as ReviveX (a spray-on from the makers of Gore-Tex), Tectron Fabric Protector spray-on, or Nikwax TX-Direct Spray.

> WASH-IN DWR applications work well too, although they'll coat your jacket inside and out—inhibiting
the wicking capability of a storm shell's liner.