Caring for your technical clothing - top tips from Henri-Lloyd
by Henri-Lloyd 30 Sep 2025 04:00 PDT
Elite Navy jacket © Henri-Lloyd
Henri-Lloyd is leading the way in the sailing apparel space with fabric innovations that are designed and manufactured using environmentally-friendly C0 Durable Water Repellent (DWR) technology.
"We're proud to be one of the first manufacturers to move to chemical-free DWR coatings, a ground-breaking advancement in performance apparel that eliminates harmful fluorocarbons, known as PFCs, from the production process," says Kim Ramsay of Henri-Lloyd. "Using C0 DWR has removed these persistent long-chain carbons from waterproof apparel, whilst still delivering the highest levels of protection and performance."
With this move to chemical free coatings, the brand says there are some simple steps users can take to ensure the longevity of waterproof shell jackets and salopettes, especially since Summer is over and, for many boaters, that means putting away their waterproofs until next Spring.
Always rinse sailing and boating clothing with fresh water after use, which helps remove salt and grime build up. Put gear into a washing machine on a cold, gentle cycle, using non-bio detergent and avoid using bleach, biological soaps or conditioner. Make sure all zips and fasteners are closed before machine washing, and leave the garment the right side out, which protects the seams.
For garments which have had a high amount of wear, users might notice that water stops beading on the surface. If this happens then it's time to re-apply a PFC-free DWR coating. Always follow the product instructions for application.
Dry the garment gently either naturally or tumble dry on a low heat for 15-20 minutes - this helps reactivate the DWR. If needed, you can iron on a low heat, without steam, using a towel as a protective barrier.
Once washed and dried, the store your waterproofs by hanging them in a cold, well-ventilated storage space until it's time to get back out on the water again.
Read Henri-Lloyd's guide to caring for your waterproofs here.