Caring for Your Dog’s Waterproof Gear
Spring is just around the corner for the northern hemisphere. And for dogs who don’t let the rainy, muddy days slow them down, they’re sure to put their gear through the ringer. Over time, even the most waterproof of gear can degrade and start to absorb rain and moisture — this is totally natural. But caring for your dog’s waterproof gear lengthens its lifetime and helps to keep unnecessary waste out of landfills.
Whether you’re breaking out gear that hasn’t seen the light of day since last summer, or just need some post-winter freshening up, read on for helpful how-tos on cleaning, waterproofing, and extending the lifetime of your Ruffwear gear.
Clean Synthetic Insulated Dog Gear With Nikwax Tech Wash®
Regular detergents can leave residue on technical fabrics, which adds weight to the material and affects its loft. (It’s why you probably know not to use regular detergent on humans’ down jackets and sleeping bags.) These detergents also use chemicals that can strip away waterproofing membranes or water-repellent coatings, meaning your dog’s gear starts to absorb moisture much faster.
Luckily, Nikwax Tech Wash® can take care of it. Tech Wash® can be used in place of regular detergent, whether your gear is hand- or machine-washable. Tech Wash® gently cleans and waterproofs gear while preserving synthetic fills’ ability to loft, like the synthetic down in dog sleeping bags. And because the entire piece of gear is submerged in the wash — say, for example, your dog’s rain jacket — it’ll be more water-resistant, inside and out.
Restore Waterproofing With Nikwax TX Direct®
The waterproof finishes on your dog’s gear naturally degrade over time, resulting in “wetting out,” or absorbing moisture instead of repelling it. If you see this happening, fear not! You don’t need to replace your gear — thanks to Nikwax TX.Direct®. Whether you choose the wash-in or a spray-on application, TX.Direct® extends the life of your gear’s waterproofing.
More Cleaning Tips for Dog Gear
If your dog plays hard, so does their gear. And sometimes — especially after rainy springtime adventures — that can result in unwanted smells. Follow this quick-and-easy fix for getting odor out of your dog’s gear:
- Add 1 qt. hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup baking soda, and 1 tsp dish soap to a large container (like a sink or bucket)
- Soak the garment in the mixture for 20–30 minutes
- Rinse thoroughly
- Let air dry
For even more on cleaning specific dog gear like water bladders, boots, and toys, read our blog on read the story here.
Reduce, Reuse, Refresh Your Gear With RuffWorn™
We appreciate you taking these steps to help prolong the lifespan of your Ruffwear gear, and keep it in play for longer. Looking for even more ways to keep waste out of landfills? Explore RuffWorn™, our collection of gently used dog gear. These items are held to the same high standard of performance as our brand-new ones, and are sold at a lower price. It’s good for your dog, good for you, and good for the planet.
