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Functional jackets with all-weather features let every drop of rain roll off reliably.

Walkers can therefore look calmly in the face of approaching rainstorms.

What many people don’t realize: the effective protection against moisture and moisture has an expiry date and must be renewed at regular intervals.

Properly impregnate functional clothing

Functional jackets are usually made of high-quality polyester and will last for many years without any damage.

However, the invisible film on the products marked as water-repellent is being worn away more and more by mechanical abrasion.

This happens with conventional use and therefore usually goes unnoticed – until finally, in rain and wind, the first drops of water make their way through the lining.

The impregnation loses more and more of its effect over time. Not only do raindrops in the fabric cause unpleasant cold and wetness, but their presence also clogs the textile membranes and thus blocks air circulation.

Due to the reduced breathability, the wearer starts to sweat much earlier than usual. Therefore, it helps to impregnate the jacket with suitable agents when the first problems occur.

Proper care extends the moisture shield

Imprecise information about the proper cleaning of textiles often leads to the misconception that the washing machine should be avoided at all costs for functional clothing.

Although the impregnation gives droplets of water a place eviction, it can do comparatively little against conventional contamination.

Even apparently only superficial dirt particles degrade the breathable protective coat to a completely ordinary piece of clothing.

Only the right care can help against clogging of the pores. If available, the supplied instructions for correct cleaning must be observed when buying the corresponding jackets.

The following tips provide basic assistance when washing functional clothing:

• the spin cycle should be avoided
• only clean at moderate temperatures up to 30 degrees
• Fabric softeners attack the protective structure and stick it together
• use as little detergent as possible and in a liquid consistency

Even before the first attempt to impregnate the breathable textiles, the remainder of the water-repellent properties can be brought out again by adding heat.

A stay of half an hour in the tumble dryer at around 60° Celsius already helps.

Reaching for the iron at a low temperature can breathe new life into the protective film you thought you had lost.

Residues of the impregnation combine under moderate heat to form a continuous layer – as long as the abrasion has not yet assumed major proportions.

The last alternative: refresh the impregnation

With careful use, the impregnation will last for years. Cleaning in the washing machine ends the existence of the repellent protective layer after four washes at the latest.

If even conscientious care does not help and the first leaks appear during walks in the rain, the time has come for a general overhaul with the help of impregnating agents *.

Many freshly applied products only develop their full effectiveness after they have dried under the influence of slight heat.

Before buying, you should also check that it is UV-resistant and free from extremely long-lasting pollutants such as PFC/PFT or fluorocarbons.

But even after successful treatment, the appropriate care of the clothing should always have top priority and should never be neglected.

Impregnation in the washing machine

The use of products for the washing machine is less recommended. Appropriate impregnation agents block the breathability of the pores on the inside.

Sweat may no longer be able to travel outside through the membranes.

Apply with the sponge

Liquid impregnating agents * can be applied thoroughly to the functional clothing with the help of a sponge. Then let the textiles dry thoroughly.

Spray can protection

Handy spray cans are a very common variant for impregnation. The impregnation agent is carefully sprayed onto the clothing from a moderate distance.