A good waxed jacket is meant to be worn hard. The wax coating is what keeps the rain out, and like any finish it needs a little attention now and then. The routine is short, and it is the difference between a jacket that lasts a season and one that lasts a decade.
Always follow the care label and any guidance from the maker of your own jacket. What follows is the general approach for waxed cotton.
Day to day
- Let mud dry, then brush it off. Do not scrub it wet.
- For marks, wipe with a cloth and cool water.
- Avoid detergent and the washing machine. They strip the wax.
- Hang it up to dry naturally, away from radiators and direct heat, which can melt and move the wax.
When to re-wax
Once a year is a sensible rule for a jacket in regular use, or sooner if water stops beading on the surface and starts soaking in. Pay particular attention to the seams, cuffs, shoulders and any places that rub.
- Clean the jacket with a cloth and cool water and let it dry fully.
- Warm the tin of wax gently (standing it in a bowl of warm water works) so it is soft but not runny.
- Apply a thin, even coat with a cloth or sponge, working it into the seams.
- Leave the jacket somewhere warm, not hot, overnight so the wax can settle. Wipe off any excess the next day.
Storing it
Hang it on a wide hanger somewhere airy. Do not fold it away damp, and do not store it tightly packed for months at a time.
See our Barker Antique Wax Jacket, or browse the whole clothing collection.