Harehill garments are designed to perform in the field, whether you're stalking in wet grass, working outdoors, or out in changeable British weather. Over time, the Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish applied to outer fabrics can lose effectiveness through regular wear, dirt, and washing. Thankfully, restoring your garment’s water repellency is simple and can help extend its performance and lifespan.
Below is a full, up-to-date care guide based on Harehills own recommendations.
What is DWR?
DWR stands for Durable Water Repellent - a treatment applied to the outer surface of a garment that helps water bead and roll off the fabric rather than soaking in. While DWR does not make a garment fully waterproof on its own, it helps maintain breathability and weather resistance. Over time, this finish naturally wears down and may need reactivating or reproofing.
Step 1: Wash Your Garment
Before restoring the DWR finish, ensure the garment is properly cleaned. Dirt, oils, and residue can prevent the treatment from working effectively.
- Always follow the care label instructions on your Harehill garment.
- Use a technical wash or non-biological detergent where possible.
- Avoid fabric softeners, as they can reduce water repellency performance.
A clean garment gives the best results when reactivating or reapplying DWR.
Step 2: Reactivate the Existing DWR
In many cases, the original DWR treatment simply needs reactivating rather than replacing.
Using a Tumble Dryer
Once the garment is clean and dry:
- Place it in a tumble dryer on a low heat setting
- Run for approximately 20 minutes
Gentle heat helps reactivate the polymers within the existing DWR coating, restoring water repellency.
Alternative Method – Ironing
If you do not have access to a tumble dryer:
- Use a low heat setting on your iron
- Place a cloth or towel between the iron and the garment
- Gently iron the outer fabric
This provides similar heat activation while protecting the garment fabric.
Step 3: Test the Water Repellency
Once complete, test the garment by sprinkling water onto the outer fabric.
If the water beads off: Your DWR is still functioning correctly.
If the fabric absorbs the water: It is time to apply a fresh DWR treatment.
Step 4: Apply a New DWR Treatment
When the original finish can no longer be revived, reproofing products can restore protection.
For Harehill garments and trousers with DWR finishes, many customers successfully use products such as:
- Nikwax Cotton Proof
- Spray-on technical fabric reproofer
- Wash-in DWR treatments suitable for outdoor clothing
Always follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your chosen reproofing product.
Looking After Your Harehill Clothing
Regular care helps maintain the performance and longevity of your outdoor clothing.
To get the best from your garment:
- Wash only when necessary
- Store garments dry
- Avoid excessive heat
- Reproof when water no longer beads on the surface
With proper care, your Harehill clothing will continue performing season after season in the field.
NOTE: These tips are general advice only - every item is a bit different. ArdMoor can’t take responsibility for any mishaps, so always patch-test products first and follow Harehill's own care guidance where you can.