How to Wash a UPF 50+ Waterproof Jacket

To wash a UPF 50+ waterproof trench coat without undermining sun protection, machine wash on a gentle cycle at 30°C with similar colors, skip strong detergents, and hang the coat to dry in a shaded area. The Spring Jacket Waterproof Hooded Trench Coat is 100% polyester with UPF 50+ that blocks 98% of UV in the fabric itself, plus a waterproof shell with sealed seams. High heat and harsh soap are the usual ways those finishes wear down. Do not tumble on hot to 'set' anything.

UPF is in the fabric, and heat still harms the coat

UPF 50+ on this trench is a property of the 100% polyester shell that blocks 98% of UV on covered skin. It is not a cream that rinses off in one wash. That does not make every wash method safe. High heat can stress sealed seams, change the hand of the fabric, and wear water-repellent properties. Strong detergents can degrade waterproof coating over time.

The listed care is specific: 30°C, gentle cycle, similar colors, hang dry in shade, avoid direct high-heat drying. Follow that even when the goal is 'keep the UPF.' Sun protection and rain protection share the same garment; a wash that wrecks the coating also wrecks the coat you will actually wear in bright weather.

The FAQ on whether washing affects UPF clothing is the neighboring question set. This page is the step-by-step wash.

A 30°C gentle wash, in order

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Empty the two zippered pockets. Close zippers and snap-button cuffs so they do not rasp the shell. Cinch hardware should not dangle into the drum. Wash with similar colors; a red or yellow trench can mark a pale load.

Use a mild dose of detergent, not a heavy workwear or bleach formula. Avoid strong detergents. The coat is a single 350g garment; it does not need a full-family dose. Too much leftover soap sits in the mesh lining (5,000 g/m² listed) and feels sticky in the next humid walk.

Gentle cycle. Not a long sanitation program. Not a hot wash to chase sunscreen marks on the collar. A small amount of the same mild detergent on a cloth can lift a collar stain before the wash. Skip solvent spotters that were not made for waterproof fabric.

Hang dry in shade is the UPF-preserving dry

Lift the coat out of the machine, snap the shape back at the hem and the cinchable waist, and hang it in shade. Direct high heat, including a hot dryer or a radiator, is the listed thing to avoid. Shade also keeps a long hang from baking color on a sunny rail, which matters for beige, pink, and yellow as much as for the coating.

Do not wring sealed seams. Do not iron the shell on high. When the coat is fully dry, it can fold into its own pocket again. Packing it damp is how storage smells start, which then tempts another unnecessary wash.

Wash when the coat is soiled or smells of the last city, not after every bright afternoon. Overwashing is extra mechanical wear. Air it on a hanger after a sweaty hike instead.

Wash choices versus UPF and waterproof fabric

| Method | Use | Skip | | --- | --- | --- | | 30°C gentle cycle | Listed wash | Hot or heavy-duty programs | | Mild detergent, small dose | Yes | Strong detergent, bleach, brighteners | | Hang dry in shade | Listed dry | Hot dryer, radiator, hard noon sun | | Close zips and snaps first | Always | Washing with hardware flapping | | Wash after every wear | No | Air first; wash when soiled |

What not to add to the wash to 'help' UPF

Do not add fabric softener. It can coat mesh lining and change how the shell sheds water. Do not add waterproofing chemistry to a regular wash unless a care-product label, such as an optional Nikwax product, says that load is the right place for it. This guide does not invent extra chemistry.

Do not stretch the hood opening over a thick hanger that leaves a bump. The hood is permanently attached and meant to lay flat; hang from the shoulders.

If water stops beading after many washes, that is a repellency question, not proof that UPF 50+ vanished. Keep washing mild. Restore water behavior only with a product labeled for the job, and still hang dry in shade.

UPF 50+ waterproof jacket wash checklist

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[ ] Empty pockets; close zippers and snap cuffs.
[ ] Gentle cycle at 30°C with similar colors.
[ ] Mild detergent only; skip strong formulas and bleach.
[ ] Hang dry in shade; no high-heat dryer.
[ ] Air between wears so washing stays occasional.
[ ] Pack into the pocket only when fully dry.

Frequently asked questions

Does one wash remove UPF 50+?

UPF 50+ is built into the 100% polyester fabric that blocks 98% of UV. A correct 30°C gentle wash is the listed care. Heat and harsh soap are the risks, not water itself.

Can the coat go in with jeans?

Prefer similar colors and a gentle load. Heavy denim hardware can rasp a light 350g shell. A mesh bag is extra insurance if the machine is shared.

Is hand washing better for UPF?

A basin wash with mild soap and no wringing is fine. The listed path is still 30°C gentle and hang dry in shade. Do not twist sealed seams.

What temperature is 30°C in a hotel machine?

It is a cool or cold/delicate setting on many machines. If the only options are cold and hot, choose cold. Do not pick hot to 'sanitize' a sun jacket.

Should sunscreen on the collar be pretreated with alcohol?

No. Use a little mild detergent on a cloth, then the gentle wash. Unknown solvents are how coatings get damaged.

What to do next

Check the last wash: if it was hot, harsh, or tumbled dry, switch to 30°C gentle, mild detergent, and a shaded hang. Close zippers, wash only when soiled, and keep the 350g UPF 50+ trench out of high heat so the same fabric can keep blocking 98% of UV on the next bright walk.

Cover photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.

How to Wash a UPF 50+ Waterproof Trench Coat to Preserve Sun Protection