How do I wash my hardshell jacket correctly?
Dirt on the hem, salt marks on the collar, and sweat on the inside: A hardshell jacket has to withstand a lot outdoors. At some point, the question arises whether the jacket can go in the washing machine.
The short answer is: Yes. It should actually be cleaned regularly.
Dirt, sweat, skin oils, and detergent residue can impair the material’s performance. Washing it correctly helps maintain breathability and extend the life of your jacket.
What matters is not whether you wash your hardshell, but how you do it.
Why does a hardshell need to be washed at all?
A hardshell protects you from wind and precipitation. At the same time, its membrane allows moisture in the form of water vapor to escape to the outside.
For this interaction to work, the material and surface must remain free of dirt and residue. Over time, sweat, skin oils, and dust accumulate, especially around the collar, hood, cuffs, and beneath backpack straps.
The water-repellent treatment on the outside is also put under strain by use and friction. If rain no longer beads off, the outer fabric increasingly becomes saturated with water. The membrane may still be waterproof, but the jacket feels heavier and less breathable.
Washing is therefore not the enemy of your hardshell. Incorrect care is.
When is it time to wash it?
There is no fixed washing schedule that works for everyone. How often your jacket should be cleaned depends on how intensively you use it.
It is time to wash it when:
· the jacket is visibly dirty
· it smells unpleasant
· sweat or salt marks appear
· the outer fabric absorbs water instead of letting it bead off
· you have worn the jacket during several intensive tours
You do not need to wash your hardshell after every use. However, after a strenuous multi-day tour, cleaning it makes more sense than leaving the dirty jacket hanging in the closet for months.
Step 1: Check the care label
Before you start, check the care label. Its instructions always take priority, as materials, membranes, and construction may vary depending on the model.
The following steps generally apply to RADYS hardshells made from the R1 Layer. If you are unsure, follow the care instructions for the respective product or contact RADYS directly.
Step 2: Prepare the jacket
Good preparation protects the jacket from unnecessary friction and prevents damage during the wash cycle.
Before washing, you should:
· Empty all pockets completely
· Close the front and pocket zippers
· Close the underarm vents
· Fasten the hook-and-loop closures and snap fasteners
· loosen the drawcords
· carefully shake off or brush away loose dirt
· turn the jacket inside out
Also make sure that no fabric softener or conventional detergent residue remains in the detergent drawer. If necessary, briefly rinse out the drawer and run the machine empty beforehand.
Step 3: Use the right detergent
For your hardshell, you need a liquid specialist detergent for membrane or technical clothing. It cleans the material without unnecessarily compromising its technical properties.
Avoid the following completely:
· fabric softener
· bleach
· optical brighteners
· harsh stain removers
· powder detergent
Fabric softener can coat the fibers and impair breathability. Detergent residue is also problematic. Therefore, use only the recommended amount and do not follow the principle that “more is better.”
Step 4: Wash gently
Wash the hardshell at the temperature indicated on the care label. In many cases, 30 degrees and a gentle cycle such as delicates or easy-care are the right choice.
Choose a low spin speed and give the jacket enough room in the drum. An overfilled washing machine prevents it from being rinsed clean.
After the actual wash cycle, thorough rinsing is particularly important. Detergent residue can impair breathability. Therefore, use an additional rinse cycle whenever possible.
In brief:
· temperature according to the care label, often 30 degrees
· gentle or delicate wash cycle
· low spin speed
· use detergent sparingly
· at least one thorough rinse cycle
Step 5: Air-dry
For hardshell and softshell products from the R1 and R2 layers, we recommend avoiding the tumble dryer. High heat can impair the material’s functionality.
After washing, hang your jacket on a sufficiently wide hanger and let it air-dry completely. Choose a well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight and not immediately next to a heater.
Make sure that the pockets, hood, cuffs, and seams are also completely dry before storing the jacket.
Step 6: Check the impregnation
The membrane provides waterproofness. The impregnation on the outer material ensures that water beads up and prevents the fabric from becoming saturated too quickly.
You can test whether the impregnation is still working with a few drops of water:
· If droplets form and roll off the fabric, the impregnation is still active.
· If water soaks into the outer fabric and forms dark spots, the impregnation should be refreshed.
RADYS recommends renewing the PFC-free impregnation approximately every two to three washes. However, the actual condition of the jacket is also decisive here.
How to waterproof your hardshell properly
Use an environmentally friendly, PFC-free waterproofing spray suitable for technical performance clothing.
Apply it evenly to the clean jacket according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Treat areas subject to particular wear with care:
· Shoulders and upper back
· Hood
· Chest area
· Sleeves and cuffs
· Areas beneath the backpack straps
Remove any excess product and then let the jacket air-dry completely again. Follow both the jacket’s care label and the instructions for the waterproofing product.
The most common mistakes when caring for a hardshell
1. Washing the jacket as rarely as possible
Many people believe that every wash damages the membrane. However, if sweat, skin oils, and dirt remain in the material permanently, they can also impair its performance. Wash the jacket as often as necessary and as gently as possible.
2. Using regular all-purpose detergent
Conventional detergents may contain additives that are unsuitable for technical materials. A special membrane detergent is the better choice.
3. Adding fabric softener
What provides a soft feel with everyday laundry can impair breathability in technical clothing. Fabric softener should therefore never be used when washing a hardshell.
4. Not rinsing enough
Residual detergent can impair the material’s performance. An additional rinse cycle is a small step with a big impact.
5. Put the jacket in the dryer
Care recommendations may vary depending on the brand and material. For RADYS R1 and R2, the following applies: air-dry and avoid high heat.
How to store your hardshell properly
A little care is also worthwhile after washing. Only put your jacket away once it is completely dry. Hang it loosely on a wide hanger and store it in a dry, cool place protected from light.
Avoid storing the jacket heavily compressed or damp in your backpack for extended periods. After your trip, unpack it again as soon as possible and hang it up to dry.
You should have minor damage repaired at an early stage. A tiny tear is easier to fix before it becomes a bigger problem on your next trip.
Well cared for. Ready for more.
A high-quality hardshell is made for many years and many adventures. Proper care not only preserves its weather protection and breathability, but also extends its lifespan.
This conserves resources and ensures that you can continue to rely on your gear in rain, snow, and wind.
Wash your hardshell with the right specialist detergent, rinse it thoroughly, let it air-dry, and renew the water-repellent treatment when needed.
This way, it will be ready the next time the weather doesn’t cooperate.
