Waterproof fabrics
A waterproof garment (not made of Galon®) from Didriksons has a coating on the inside of the fabric, concealed by a lining or other material. In other words, it is not the fabric itself that makes our garments waterproof. In addition to the coating on the inside, the garment has a water-repellent surface treatment on the outside. This finish is often referred to as DWR (Durable Water Repellency).
In order to ensure a garment is completely waterproof, all joins and seams are sealed using waterproof tape. Consequently, it is not the water-repellent finish that makes the garment waterproof, but rather the coating concealed inside the garment.
Galon®, however, does not require any water-repellent treatment, as the waterproof layer is on the outside. This makes Galon® an easy-care fabric and it is generally sufficient to simply wipe the garment over with a wet cloth when it gets dirty.
Impregnation and reimpregnation
A waterproof garment (not made of Galon®) from Didriksons is impregnated with a water-repellent treatment. This wears off after a while and the garment will need to be reimpregnated. How soon you need to do this depends on how wet the garment gets and how much wear and tear it has been exposed to. However, when raindrops no longer bead on the surface, that is a sign that reimpregnation is needed. Remember that moisture will not penetrate through to your body just because the outer fabric becomes wet. So why impregnate?
- It protects the jacket from getting wet and heavy
- It counteracts dirt getting into the fabric
- Spots and stains are easier to wipe off
You don’t need to apply new water-repellency treatment with every wash. Applying heat after the garment has been wet or has come out of the washing machine is often enough to reactivate the water-repellent impregnation; for example, by ironing it or giving it a few minutes in a drying cabinet or tumble dryer. If that is not enough, there are products that can be sprayed on or added to the washload. Be sure to use a type of impregnation that is free from fluorocarbons.