Waterproof Snow Pants [Washing & DWR Coating Techniques]
It’s that time of year again. The freezing temperatures replace the scorching heat, and before you know it, snow is everywhere.
We are ready to have a good time skiing, sledding, and of course, building a snowman. But no one can fully enjoy these activities without proper snow gear such as snow pants to keep you dry with their water-repelling property.
However, after using it several times, snow pants start to lose their initial charm. Their waterproofing might begin to wear off and leave you wet and uncomfortable in the snow.
Fortunately, you don’t have to get rid of your old snow pants each time it happens. There are methods that you can use to restore the former glory of your snow pants.
Can You Waterproof Snow Pants?
Absolutely. You can waterproof your snow pants at home easily and cost-effectively. Snow pants already have a waterproof, generally breathable membrane with Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment.
When water is poured on a DWR-coated garment, it begins to bead up rather than being absorbed and reaching the underlying layers of the garment. This keeps the person dry when working outdoors in the snow.
However, as these garments are used several times, the DWR coating may lighten up. When this happens, you can simply re-waterproof your snow pants at home.
To check whether these methods actually work or not, you can run a water test on your snow pants. Pour water on the garment; if the water beads up and falls off the garment, then you are good to go.
Now that you know that it is possible to waterproof snow pants, the next step is finding out the methods you can use to do so. Here are two simple and widely used methods to waterproof your snow pants:
Wash snow pants to make them waterproof
It might sound unbelievable that you can rekindle the waterproofing ability of snow pants by merely washing them, but it is true.
Dirt, oil, grease, etc., can disrupt the waterproofing ability of your snow pants. Moreover, such stains can clog its pores, reducing the breathability of the material.
If dirt and grime is the leading reason behind reduced efficiency of your snow pants, cleaning them is the most effective and probably the simplest method to use.
You do not have to wash your snow pants after every use. If you just wash them twice the season, it will be enough to retain their initial charm throughout the season.
Required Material:
- A gentle detergent.
- Stain remover.
- Soft-bristled brush.
- Washing machine.
- Drying rack.
- An in-wash waterproofing solution.
Step by Step Process:
1. Prepping the snow pants
Before starting the actual cleaning process, it is essential to prep the garment first. Check the snow pants for any tissues, tickets, lip balm that you may have left in your pockets.
Close all the buttons, snaps, zippers, and hook-and-loop fasteners to ensure no tearing or snagging happens during the wash. Once prepping is finished, you can move to the next step.
2. Treating stains
Do not leave the stains for the washing machine to wash away. If your snow pants have any food stains, grease, or oil stain on them, you have to pretreat them using a stain remover.
Apply the stain remover on the required areas and scrub using any soft-bristled brush. Let the stain remover sit for fifteen minutes and scrub again using a laundry brush.
Finally, wash off the stain remover as suggested or under running water. This will remove all the stains from your pants.
Also, do not hesitate to scrub the snow pants as these are not like other delicate garments and will not get damaged from scrubbing.
Suppose a stain remover cannot remove all the stains from your garment. In that case, you can use an alternative method by using a gentle dish detergent. This could be highly effective for grease stains.
Apply the mild dish detergent to the affected area and scrub with a soft brush. Wipe the area using a clean cloth and remove the remaining residue using a damp cloth. Let the pants air dry after this process.
3. Put the pants in the washing machine
Before putting the snow pants in the machine, add water and a gentle detergent and run the machine to mix. Set the water temperature to cold and keep the wash cycle setting as gentle.
Now, add the snow pants to the washing machine and start the machine. If one wash was insufficient to rinse the detergent, go for a second wash with the same settings.
4. Add the waterproofing solution
After washing your snow pants, run the snow pants in the machine along with an in-wash waterproofing solution such as the Gear Aid Wash-in Water Repellent.
There are several great in-wash waterproofing solutions in the market. You can use any one of your choices; just ensure that the waterproofing solution you use is particularly designed for garments, not sleeping bags or tents. Keep the water temperature cold.
5. Dry the snow pants
Now that the washing and cleaning part of the process is complete, it is time to dry the snow pants. The recommended method to dry your snow pants or other ski clothes is air drying.
Hang the snow pants on a sturdy hanger as wet snow pants tend to be heavy. Ensure that the pants dry thoroughly before storing or using to prevent mold growth.
Precautions
- Do not dry clean your snow pants as it uses harsh detergents that can do more harm than good.
- Read the washing instructions provided with the snow pants before washing.
- Do not hang the pants near a heat source or in direct sunlight.
How To Waterproof Snow Paints by Applying DWR Coating?
When cleaning the snow pants does not seem to restore its expected waterproofing ability, you should consider applying fresh coasting of DWR. This can be done by using DWR coating sprays that are readily available in the market.
This method works best on garments whose DWR coating has significantly worn off, and in-wash waterproofing solutions do not seem to improve its condition.
Required Material:
- Washing Machine.
- A gentle detergent.
- Stain remover.
- Soft-bristled brush.
- Cardboard sheet.
- DWR coating spray.
- Iron.
Step by Step Process:
1. Remove stains from snow pants
Before applying the DWR coat, you need to clean the snow pants comprehensively. Start by prepping the pants by removing everything from its pockets and closing all the zips, buttons, hook-and-loops, etc.
Use a stain remover and soft brush to get rid of all the grease, dirt, food stains, or any other types of stains from the pants in a similar manner we discussed in the first method.
2. Wash the snow pants
Before adding the pants to the machine, add the water, any gentle detergent, and mix in the machine. Now add the snow pants, set the temperature to cold, cycle to gentle, and start the machine.
Once washed, tumble dry the snow pants for twenty minutes on a gentle and warm cycle. This reactivates the remaining DWR treatment present on your snow pants.
3. Apply the DWR coating spray
After washing and tumble drying your snow pants, lay them flat over some cardboard sheet. You can also use old newspapers if cardboard sheets are not available.
Buy any good quality DWR coating spray such as Nikwax TX.Direct Spray-On. Apply it liberally on the pants. If the liquid starts to pool, do not worry about it.
After applying the spray on one side of the pants, let it sit for five minutes. Remove the excess coating using a cloth. For the other side of the pants, repeat the same process.
4. Dry the snow pants
After the above steps are done, let the snow pants air-dry overnight. Once completely dry, run an iron on a very low heat setting on the snow pants. This will dry and set the DWR coating in place, and your snow pants will return to their initial efficiency.
Precautions:
- Always read the washing instructions provided with your snow pants and wash accordingly.
- Do not get your snow pants dry-cleaned. The harsh chemical used in dry cleaning may damage the snow pants.
- Be careful while ironing the snow pants, as they can quickly burn a hole in them. As a precaution, keep a light towel above the pants and iron over it.
Snow pants are a vital component of any snow gear. They prevent water or moisture from reaching the underlying layers of clothing and keep you dry so that you can enjoy winters to their fullest. Moreover, their breathable membrane ensures that enough air passes through the garment for warmth.
So if your snow pants are starting to lose their water-repelling properties, then you must address the issue before using them again.
One of the methods mentioned above will undoubtedly improve its conditions. You just need to ensure that you are following all the steps properly.
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