Grangers Market Share Analysis for August 2026

The purpose of our waterproof clothing is to keep us warm, dry and comfortable when we’re outdoors. We expect our waterproofs to protect us but it’s also important that we care for them in return. Whilst reproofing is vital to maintain the performance of our gear, people often forget the most important step and that is cleaning – the technical way! It’s only natural that our outdoor clothing gets dirty with wear. As you spend time outside, grime builds up. You don’t have to have slipped over in the mud for your jacket to need a good clean – even if you think your clothing isn’t dirty, dust and particles can quickly collect in the fibres. This is definitely the case with insulated items as you can’t see what’s happening to well-packed feathers. This is why the idea that you shouldn’t regularly clean your waterproofs can be harmful to your gear. Often, the first sign of hidden dirt is when your outdoor clothing is no longer beading off water or keeping you warm. People sometimes presume that their gear needs reproofing before it’s actually ready. Often a good clean can revive any existing repellency by removing the performance-hindering barriers – but only if it’s washed in a technical cleaner. One of the most frequent questions we get asked is, ‘why can’t I wash with normal washing powder?’, which is closely followed by, ‘help! I’ve washed my waterproof jacket with the rest of my clothes and it’s no longer waterproof’. Our answers are: ‘because it will remove the technical properties that keep you dry’ and ‘don’t worry, we can easily help you to restore its performance’.  Let’s explore these answers in more detail. Washing your technical gear with regular washing detergent will clean your gear but strip it of its ability to keep you dry. Normal washing powder is designed to make your clothes smell fresh. This is perfect for your normal clothes but the optical brighteners and perfumes that guarantee that fresh smell massively hinder waterproofing properties, stripping