Have you ever pulled your raincoat out of the closet after a few months and thought, “Whoa… when did it start smelling like this?”
It happens to most of us. Even the fanciest waterproof jackets can develop that damp, musty odour if they aren’t dried or stored properly. But the good news is that it’s usually pretty easy to remove smell from raincoat, and you can prevent it from happening again.
We never think about how to store rainwear after use, and how to take care of them. But in this blog, you’ll get a quick guide to take care of your raincoat. First, let us know why the raincoats become smelly.
Why Raincoats Get Smelly?
Raincoats are made to keep water out, which is great, but it also means they don’t breathe like your regular clothes. If you pack a damp jacket away, moisture gets trapped in the folds and creases. Give it time, and you will get:
- Mildew or mould forming inside the lining
- A rubbery or slightly sour smell
- Sometimes, there is a stiff or sticky texture in the fabric
Waterproof materials can’t absorb moisture, but if moisture stays trapped, the fabric starts to smell.
Here are a few steps that you can follow to remove smell from raincoat.
Step One: Give It Some Air
Sometimes the fix is as simple as hanging your jacket somewhere breezy. A few hours of air circulation, maybe near a window or on a balcony, can make a noticeable difference. Sunlight can help, but keep it out of direct rays too long; you don’t want to fade the color or damage the coating.
If that doesn’t cut it, it’s time for a gentle wash.
Step Two: Gentle Cleaning to Remove Smell from Raincoat
Now, a lot of people panic and think they have to toss the jacket in hot water or use strong detergent. You should not do that. You’ll risk stripping the waterproof coating. Instead, you can try these simple waterproof jacket cleaning tips. :
- Mix a small amount of mild detergent or baby shampoo with cool or lukewarm water.
- Hand-wash the jacket, paying attention to areas that tend to hold odour, like underarms, cuffs, and the lining.
- Rinse really well. Any leftover soap can actually trap smells rather than remove them.
If your jacket’s care label says machine washing is okay, use a gentle cycle. Skip fabric softener, even the liquid stuff, because it can leave a residue that blocks the waterproof layer.
Step Three: Dry It Properly
After washing the raincoat, hang it and dry it in the open air. Also, try not to fold it until it’s fully dry. Because the raincoat needs to be completely moisture-free before it gets stored. Otherwise, the smell can come back.
Here are some tips to make drying easier:
- Do not use a dryer unless the care tag explicitly allows it
- Keep it hanging open, not scrunched up
- Try to rotate your rainwear occasionally if one side isn’t drying evenly
It might take a few hours or even overnight, depending on how humid the weather is.
How to Store Rainwear After Use
This is the part most people do not pay much attention to. If you’ve ever shoved a damp jacket in a plastic bag, you’ve seen how quickly the smell comes back. Below are some things you should take care to avoid this.
- Always store your jacket when it is completely dry
- Hang it freely instead of folding it into a tight space
- Avoid sealed plastic bags for storing.
- In humid climates, put a small silica gel packet in the bag to absorb leftover moisture
A little care after every wear can save you from that musty smell months later.
Wrapping Up
Removing smell from a raincoat is mostly about patience and proper care.
A little attention now means your jacket stays fresh and ready for the next rainy day.
So that when the next time it pours and you grab your raincoat, you’ll find it fresh, clean, and ready to go.
