How to clean membrane clothing and footwear: a complete guide (without mistakes)
Membrane clothing is designed to protect you from rain, wind, and moisture, but improper care can quickly damage its performance.
In this guide, you will learn:
- how to wash membrane clothing,
- which care products to use,
- how to restore water repellency,
- which mistakes to avoid.
How to wash membrane clothing?
Membrane clothing can be washed in a washing machine, but it is important to follow a few key rules.
Basic steps
- Close all zippers.
- Turn the garment inside out.
- Select a gentle cycle up to 30°C.
- Use a special detergent for membrane clothing.
- Avoid high-speed spinning.
Recommended care products:
To preserve the membrane’s performance, it is best to use only products specifically designed for this type of material.
View care productsWhich detergent should you use for membrane clothing?
Important: regular washing powders and fabric softeners can damage the membrane and reduce its breathability and water repellency.
For membrane clothing, it is recommended to use only:
- liquid detergents for membrane garments,
- specialized outdoor care products.
These products help to:
- protect the breathable layer,
- maintain water repellency,
- extend the lifespan of the garment.
Find suitable care products for membrane clothing
Which detergent for which fabric
One detergent does not fit everything. A membrane jacket, a fleece, a merino base layer and a down jacket wash differently, and the mistake costs you the garment, not the wash.
- Membrane and technical wear: Mountval Wash & Care. Suits waders, rain jackets and suits.
- Fleece and softshell: Mountval Polar Wash. Does not clog the pile and keeps the fabric soft.
- Merino and base layers: Mountval Wool Wash. Ordinary detergent makes wool coarse and shrinks it.
- Down jackets and sleeping bags: Mountval Down Wash. The down stays lofty instead of clumping.
All four are liquid and free of fabric softener, so the pores of the membrane stay open.
How to restore the membrane’s water repellency?
After several washes, membrane clothing may start absorbing water. This is normal — in that case, the water-repellent treatment needs to be renewed.
How to do it
- Wash the garment according to the care instructions.
- Use a reproofing product — either a spray-on or wash-in treatment.
- Let the garment dry naturally.
Looking for reproofing products?
View reproofing productsHow to clean membrane footwear?
Membrane footwear also requires gentle and regular care to maintain its protective properties.
Cleaning
- Remove dirt with a damp cloth or a soft brush.
- Use a mild cleaning product.
- Do not use harsh chemicals.
Drying
- Do not dry footwear on a radiator.
- Let it dry naturally at room temperature.
Which reproofing product to choose
Reproofers differ not in strength but in how they reach the fabric. That decides how much work and how much time it takes.
- In the washing machine: Mountval Waterproofing Refresher. Added to the machine after washing and coats the whole garment evenly. The easiest option when a full set needs refreshing.
- Spray-on for textiles: Mountval Textile Shield. Lets you treat only the areas that soak through first: shoulders, knees and the seat.
- Universal for clothing and footwear: Mountval Waterproof. One bottle for the jacket and the boots.
If you prefer one purchase: the care set for jacket and waders is built exactly from a detergent and a machine-in reproofer.
Footwear care: which products
- For mud and stains: Mountval Shampoo foam or Mountval Gel Cleaner, a gel with a brush in the cap.
- Once dry: Mountval Protector restores water repellency on leather and textile.
The order matters: a reproofer on a muddy boot seals the dirt in rather than protecting it. Clean first, let it dry, only then spray. Both products in one box: care set for hiking boots.
Odour: when washing no longer helps
Technical clothing and boots absorb odour into the inner layer, and washing again does not remove it. What works then is a freshener, not a detergent.
- Mountval Silver Freshness goes in with the wash and is meant for garments.
- Mountval Odour Absorber is sprayed into boots once they are dry.
When cleaning is not enough: repair
If the garment still lets water through in one spot after a proper wash and reproofing, that is a hole, not a care problem.
- A hole or a cut: Gear Aid Aquasure+ FD adhesive.
- On a trip or by the water: the travel repair kit with adhesive and two patches.
- A tear across an area: Gear Aid Tenacious Tape patches, applied with no curing time.
How to find the leak and stop it, step by step, is covered separately: how to fix waders.
Who this guide is not for:
- neoprene waders and suits. Neoprene is not machine washed: it is rinsed in fresh water and dried in the shade.
- leather boots without a membrane. They need a grease-based wax, not a textile reproofer.
- anything whose manufacturer label says otherwise. The label always outranks the general rule.
Most common mistakes
Avoid these mistakes, as they can damage the membrane:
- washing with regular detergent or powder,
- using fabric softener,
- exposing the garment to high temperatures,
- tumble drying without a special care setting.
Frequently asked questions
Can membrane clothing be washed in a washing machine?
Yes, but only on a gentle cycle and with products suitable for membrane garments.
How often should membrane clothing be washed?
Whenever it becomes dirty or starts losing breathability and no longer performs as effectively as it should.
Is it necessary to use a reproofing product?
Yes, if you want to maintain water repellency and extend the lifespan of your clothing.
Can the same reproofer be used for clothing and footwear?
Yes, if it is made for both. Mountval Waterproof suits textile and footwear alike. Narrower products work better in their own field: Textile Shield for textiles, Protector for boots.
Is reproofing needed after every wash?
No. Reproof when water stops beading on the surface and the fabric starts darkening with moisture. Usually that is after several washes or after a heavy season.
Conclusion
Proper membrane clothing care helps maintain its functionality, comfort, and protective performance for longer.
- extends the lifespan of the garment,
- maintains protection from moisture and wind,
- helps preserve the breathability of the material.
What you will need:
- for washing: Wash & Care, Polar Wash, Wool Wash;
- for reproofing: Waterproofing Refresher, Textile Shield;
- for boots: care set for hiking boots;
- for repair: Aquasure+ FD, Tenacious Tape patches.
Why a membrane needs this care in the first place is explained here: what a membrane is and how it works.
Open the care and repair category