How To Re-Wax Your Barbour Jacket And Bring It Back To Life
CHO Fashion & Lifestyle
A Barbour wax jacket is an outer wardrobe staple built to last.
Practical and versatile, it's the perfect choice for hiking through the mountains, strolling through the fields, or heading for a weekend coffee.
But what happens when your beloved Barbour jacket starts to look tired? It might be time for a re-wax.
If you've ever wondered how to re-wax your Barbour jacket, we've got you covered with our Barbour wax jacket maintenance guide at CHO! Read on to discover how to clean your Barbour wax jacket, how to wax it and keep it performing at its best, so it'll last you a lifetime.
Table of Contents:
How often should you re-wax a Barbour jacket?
How to re-wax a Barbour jacket
How to clean your Barbour jacket
Before re-waxing your Barbour jacket, you must clean it thoroughly. To do this correctly, you must follow your Barbour jacket's specific care instructions, as wax jackets require more specialist care than other standard Barbour jackets.
Let's start by looking at some of the things you'll need:
- A lint roller or a soft bristle brush
- Clean, cold water
- Some clean cloths
- White wine vinegar (optional)
If your Barbour wax jacket is well-used, it'll definitely benefit from the occasional spruce up, particularly if it's been locked away in storage. Here are our top tips on how to clean it (and, more importantly, what to avoid!) before your re-wax it:
- Start by lying your jacket flat on a clean surface, and, using your soft-bristle brush or lint roller, remove any loose dirt or debris. This will help prepare your jacket for spot-treating and washing and remove any leftover excess wax.
- Next, if your jacket has stains or signs of mildew, you must spot-treat it. Dip a damp clean cloth into some white wine vinegar, then dab it gently onto the stain to work it away. Let the vinegar sit on the stain for around ten minutes before rinsing away with cold water.
- Once brushed and spot-treated, it's time to start the cleaning process. Take a container filled with cold water and a clean cloth and gently wipe away the dirt from the jacket's surface. Avoid using hot water, soap or chemicals and detergents, as these can remove the wax coating from the surface of your jacket, meaning it cannot be re-waxed.
- Hang your wax jacket in a dry, well-ventilated area overnight to allow it to dry out fully.
Remember, when cleaning Barbour jackets, always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Never put your Barbour wax jacket into the washing machine or take it to the dry cleaners, as this could strip the jacket's coating, damaging it beyond repair.
How often should you re-wax a Barbour jacket?
Barbour recommends you re-wax your jacket at least once a year to preserve its condition, quality and performance.
Re-waxing your jacket will extend its life and help it protect you against the elements. One of the toughest outerwear items that could ever be purchased, annual re-waxing helps wax jackets to retain their weatherproofing properties whilst protecting their surface and helping them retain their rich colour.
How to re-wax a Barbour jacket
So now you know why you should re-wax your Barbour jacket, you're probably wondering how to do it.
If you don't live near a Barbour or are reluctant to send your jacket away for re-waxing, the good news is that you can treat your beloved Barbour to a re-wax at home. Here's what you'll need:
- A tin of Wax Thornproof Dressing or a Barbour wax kit
- An old cloth or sponge
- A container big enough for the wax pot to stand in
- Hot water
Before you even start the re-waxing process, you'll need to melt the wax so that it can be applied easily to your jacket. To do this, simply fill up your container with hot water, remove the lid of your Thornproof Dressing pot, and sit the tin inside the container, taking care not to get the wax wet or to spill any hot water. Leave the wax to melt for around 20 minutes or until the consistency changes from wax to liquid.
Leave the tin in the water to prevent the wax from rehardening whilst you work. With your jacket laid flat, use your cloth or sponge and work the melted wax into your jacket. Take care around the seams and look for any dry patches, then once finished, wipe away any excess wax from the surface.
When applying the wax, take extra care around the lining, corduroy collar and the inside of the jacket pockets, as the wax could damage the lining. Then, once you're happy that the wax is evenly applied, hang the jacket overnight in a warm room away from other garments and soft furnishings to prevent any wax from transferring.
If there's too much wax on your Barbour jacket, this may fall from your jacket for a while, but this is perfectly normal. Still, it's worth removing your jacket at home to prevent any wax from transferring onto your furniture for the first few days after the application.
Once your jacket has been treated and has had ample time to dry, it's ready for you to wear and love until it needs its next treatment, whether in a year or when you feel it would benefit from some extra TLC!
Explore our Barbour wax jackets at CHO
So, now you know how to care for a Barbour wax jacket, why not invest in one or upgrade your current style? We offer a wide selection of Barbour wax jackets for men and women at CHO in classic and contemporary styles. Explore the collection today to find outerwear to last you a lifetime!