Storm Waterproofing Products

“Storm” Waterproofing has a history stretching back 100 and more years. The company produces a wide range of products for proofing and maintaining all kinds of outdoor gear from clothing and boots, to tents and rucksacks, natural fabrics, leather and modern synthetic materials.

I have been trying out their twin pack 300ml Wash-In Antibacterial Cleaner and Waterproofer (Air Cure), and the 300ml Spray-On Waterproofer +.  These products are suitable for all fabrics, including Gore-Tex and other breathable/waterproof membrane, laminate and coated fabrics. They are easy to use and have given excellent results.

Wash In

The twin pack Wash In Cleaner and Waterproofer are simple to use for any machine washable garments and equipment, with the 300ml bottles giving 4 washes in hard or soft water conditions.  Each of the bottles is also available on its own, as well as in the twin pack.

To use the twin pack you simply put 1.5 capfuls of the fabric cleaner (which uses silver technology to eliminate odour as well as cleaners to lift dirt and stains) in the detergent compartment of your washing machine, and 1.5 capfuls of the proofer to the fabric conditioner compartment and set the machine running on a programme suitable for the fabric as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.

After the wash, simply air dry the items treated and leave for 12 hours to air cure and you have clean, odour free garments with their DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish restored and waterproof performance unimpaired.

I have tried this on several items of various materials and found the system simple, straightforward and effective with no “blooming” problems as with some treatments, no need for ironing (a tiresome chore at the best of times!) or tumble drying (awkward for me as I have no tumble drier!) and effective on cotton, synthetics and breathable waterproof items.

I have found it advisable to use the proofer at each washing, and thus the twin pack proves ideal. However the proofing should withstand a couple of washes of the fabric cleaner before needing to be reapplied. I tend toward overkill!

The Storm 300ml Wash In Twin Pack Cleaner and Waterproofer (Air Cure) costs about £10.99 and will give 4 treatments.

Spray On

The 300ml Spray On Waterproofer Plus comes in a standard looking aerosol and is sprayed onto clean, dry fabric from 10-15cm and allowed to dry.  Although there is a warning that the proofer may darken some surfaces, I found the breathable (soft shell) garment I tested it on was not affected.  Unfortunately I used the whole can on one jacket to get an even coverage, so was not able to try it on other fabrics!

However, the results from this rather heavy application (I may have over done the application here as you should be able to get around two garment treatments from each can) were exceptionally good.  The rain quickly beaded on the surface of the fabric and showed the spray had restored the garment’s DWR finish and so improved its water and dirt repellent properties, and enhanced the jacket’s waterproof performance.

The Storm 300ml Spray On Waterproofer + costs around £6.99 per tin.